Florida Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) has launched a new media campaign, “Live Free,” that will, among other things, strive to ensure people have equal access to housing regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“While 20 states and over 200 local governments have led the way to make LGBT-related housing discrimination illegal, HUD is firmly committed to supporting the right of LGBT individuals and families to lead productive and dignified lives, free from housing discrimination and fear of retaliation,” said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is finalizing a federal rule to ensure that HUD housing and programs are open to all, irrespective of marital status, gender identity and sexual orientation.”

The “Live Free” print advertisements are focused to particular targeted audiences.

For example, one print ad reads “Should Gender Stereotypes Influence Where Your Live? Learn More.” The “Live Free” campaign will run throughout the year and include Facebook ads, targeted print ads, digital videos, and podcasts.

In 2010, HUD provided guidance to its staff on how to more effectively address inquiries from LGBT individuals regarding housing discrimination issues, and also launched a webpage for the public on LGBT housing discrimination. Since then, HUD’s housing discrimination complaint level from LGBT individuals has increased significantly. From July 1, 2010, to February 28, 2011, LGBT individuals filed 47 complaints of housing discrimination with HUD alleging gender discrimination. During the same period straddling 2009 and 2010, prior to the issuance of the guidance, HUD only.

LOS ANGELES, CA –The Williams Institute, a leading think tank dedicated to the field of sexual orientation and gender identity-related law and public policy, released new research that estimates the size of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the United States.

Drawing on information from four recent national and two state-level population-based surveys, the analyses suggest that there are more than 8 million adults in the U.S. who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, comprising 3.5% of the adult population. There are also nearly 700,000 transgender individuals in the U.S. In total, the study suggests approximately 9 million Americans, roughly the population of New Jersey, identify as LGBT.

Noted study author Dr. Gary J. Gates: “The Institute of Medicine at the National Academies released an analysis of LGBT health research calling for federal statistical agencies to quickly move toward LGBT inclusion in their data collection. The surveys highlighted in this report demonstrate the usefulness of sexual orientation and gender identity questions on large-scale national population-based surveys. Better data can provide the building blocks for critical information to understand the lives of the 9 million LGBT Americans who have been historically marginalized in both society and research.”

Some other findings from the study:

• Among adults who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, bisexuals comprise a slight majority (1.8% compared to 1.7% who identify as lesbian or gay).
• Women are substantially more likely than men to identify as bisexual.
• Estimates of those who report any lifetime same-sex sexual behavior and any same-sex sexual attraction are substantially higher than estimates of those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. An estimated 19 million Americans (8.2%) report they have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior and nearly 25.6 million Americans (11%) acknowledge at least some same-sex sexual attraction.

Fort Lauderdale Gay-Owned Businesses Seek to Attract International LGBT Dollars

By CLIFF DUNN

In recent months,

the nation’s fragile economic state has shown small – in some instances, very small – indicators of recovery and even growth.

According to Intuit’s Small Business Employment Index, last month small businesses nationwide created approximately 50,000 new jobs, a smallish 0.2% increase from February, but an annual growth rate of nearly 3%. The Index also shows that small firms have created 820,000 new jobs since the job market started recovering in October 2009.

Perhaps most impressive, there were 565,000 new businesses created each month of the past year. That translates into a notable 6.8 million new businesses opening their doors. The flip-side of these laudatory stats, of course, is that most of these firms will fail before their first birthday. That downside is reflected close to home: in Wilton Manors alone, 17 businesses have ceased operations since January 2010; another ten are projected to close their doors in the coming months.

The challenges facing small business was one reason for the creation of the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale, an alliance of gay-owned businesses and community leaders with a mission to promote new business opportunities, drive sustainable economic growth and expand market reach and market share for the area’s LGBT businesses, of which more than 90 are RBC members.

Reece Darham, the group’s chair and owner of Wilton Manors-based Island City Health & Fitness, says of RBC: “Our strength truly lies in the collective bargaining and influence our combined businesses yield.”

The challenge for Darham and other business and community leaders has been to translate that influence and clout into tangible market share.

South Florida’s economy remains one driven, in large measure, by tourism dollars, and area businesses are doing what they can to tap into those resources that are making themselves available. Last week, The Miami Herald reported that local tourism officials are launching efforts to claim their share of the nation’s $74 billion wedding industry. But although many LGBT-owned businesses are subsumed by or allied with that industry, the overall market is one which serves a largely heterosexual consumer group.
How, then, to encourage a large – and sustainable – infusion of gay tourism dollars into the gay business community at a time when it most needs the injection?

Enter the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), which selected Greater Fort Lauderdale as the site for its 2011 Annual Global Convention. Beginning May 10, between 800 and 1,000 travel agents from 84 countries will descend upon Broward County for nearly a week.

The purpose of the convention depends upon who you ask. Says John Tanzella, President and CEO of IGLTA: “We want our attendees to find the convention valuable because of the networking opportunities and the extensive educational programming, the most ambitious in our 28-year convention history. We’re bringing in industry leaders from Google, TripAdvisor, [and] IBM.”

RBC’s Darham sees the additional benefits. “Whenever an international convention comes to town, there is an immediate economic impact,” he notes. “The IGLTA convention is estimated to bring in $1.3 million in the short week they are here, and has the potential to generate millions more in the months and years to come.”

RBC and its business affiliates plan to ensure those delegates are left with sustainable memories they can take home to their cities and countries of origin, planting the seeds for their own clients’ future travel plans to the Gold Coast.

“Fort Lauderdale is still a hidden gem in the national and international LGBT community,” says Darham. “It is time to change that, and the IGLTA convention is a marvelous way to do just that.”

RBC and its members are planning to welcome the international travel agents by hosting what they hope will be a well-received and well-remembered event. “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale” will be held in Wilton Manors on Friday evening, May 13, at 6 p.m. On the heels of the IGLTA Consumer Trade Show, the RBC will honor the convention delegates with a flag ceremony along Wilton Drive in which Mayor Gary Resnick will the lead the Parade of Nations. The parade will terminate at Hagen Park next to city hall, and be followed by a free live concert featuring Billboard recording artist Kristine W.

Darham predicts that the good will engendered will be well worth the meticulous planning going into the event. “The convention impact is far beyond travel and tourism,” he notes. “Restaurants, bars, retail outlets, spas, real estate agencies, gyms, and more all benefit economically from the attendees. These delegates have the ability to economically impact all of us into the future.”

OAKLAND PARK, Fla.

At the Nov. 3 Oakland Park City Commission meeting, all five commissioners voted in favor of Resolution No: R-2010-174, support for legislation prohibiting discrimination and bullying. While the resolution is not a law it does officially state that the city of Oakland Park, “supports legislation that prohibits discrimination and bullying in general” and “in particular when it is due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.” The resolution was the brainchild of Suzanne Boisvenue, Oakland Park’s vice mayor, who is a strong advocate for LGBT rights.

by MATTHEW TSIEN

President Barack Obama is chipping away at his long list of promises to gay voters but has yet to win the enthusiastic backing of the reliably Democratic voting bloc.

The Obama White House has accomplished more than any other on gay rights, yet has drawn sharp criticism from an unexpected constituency: the same gay activists who backed the president’s election campaign. Instead of the sweeping change gays and lesbians had sought, a piece-by-piece approach has been the administration’s favored strategy, drawing neither serious fire from conservatives nor lavish praise from activists.

Last week the Labor Department announced that it would order businesses to extend unpaid leave for gay workers to care for newborns or loved ones.

This move, coming less than five months before November’s congressional elections, seems likely to incite conservatives and Republicans who stood in lockstep against the Obama administration’s earlier efforts to repeal a ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. It also appears likely to be popular with loyal Democrats and organized labor.

Nevertheless, some gay activists, who long ago stopped giving Obama the benefit of a doubt, will continue not to be satisfied.

Many Washington-based activists believe that gays need far more comprehensive and bolder legislation to achieve the goals these small, mostly symbolic

and marginal piecemeal efforts attempt to achieve.

The little things to which the White House pays attention and claims, “to be making so much progress” does not translate into a sense of progress outside of Washington.

Mr. Obama had a long list of accomplishments to tout during last week’s Pride Day meetings with gay and lesbian organizations at the White House, but their reach is limited.

For instance, Obama signed a hate crimes bill into law, expanded benefits for partners of State Department employees and ended the ban on HIV-positive persons from visiting the United States. He referenced families with “two fathers” in his Father’s Day proclamation in June and devoted 38 words of his State of the Union address to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the ban on gays serving openly in the military. But there remains reason for frustration.

Obama’s campaign pledged to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” yet that goal remains years away. His Justice Department invoked incest in a legal brief defending the traditional definition of marriage, prompting some gay donors last year to boycott the Democratic National Committee. And just last week, a committee at his Health and Human Services Department recommended the nation retain its policy barring gay men from donating blood.

Some of Obama’s gay allies say the small-bore changes are the best activists can hope for despite Democrats controlling the White House, the Senate and the House.

Perhaps the reason why these policy changes are important is because Gay Democrats do not have ironclad LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) majorities in either house of Congress. People wrongly assume that having large Democratic majorities in Congress means that gay-oriented legislative goals will be met. That’s not the case.

Gay constituents are hardly the only members of the Democratic bloc to come up disappointed with this White House . Environmental groups groan as a comprehensive climate bill has languished on the Hill. Organized labor saw its signature legislation, which would make it easier for workers to form unions, go nowhere without the White House’s backing. And women’s groups were in open revolt during the debate over the health care overhaul because of anti-abortion provisions.

It’s small consolation for gay rights activists.

A Gallup poll last month found 70 percent of American favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. That same poll, however, included a reminder: 53 percent opposed legalizing gay marriage. Among that opposition to same-sex marriage are three out of five Black and Hispanic voters — minority groups that gays would like to consider their natural allies, but a voting bloc that is decisively against gay marriage.

New Organization Launches Website & Selects Interim Chairpersons

Fort Lauderdale, FL  – One only has to hear the initials “R”, “B”, and “C” to know that something is stirring in the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT community. The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) is proud to announce the formation of its new organization comprised of LGBT businesses and community leaders.

Understanding the vital need to come together as a unified community with a common voice, communicate & network to promote the Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT community and destination, and leverage the strengths and collective business acumen among its fellow members, the Rainbow Business Coalition or “RBC” was formed.

The formation of the RBC began in November of 2009, when a small group of LGBT business-minded individuals got together to outline a grassroots effort to bring about change by gathering up the community’s resources to actively promote and support the LGBT market.  These individuals were determined to generate awareness of Greater Fort Lauderdale, the 2nd most popular gay destination in the country and increase its economic growth.

Since the start of this newly named coalition, the RBC has now flourished into a legitimate and purposeful organization, one with a mission statement, an organizational structure, membership guidelines, and business plans for future growth. The City of Fort Lauderdale and other government bodies and municipalities are highly supportive of the RBC’s initiatives and plans.  Even in its early stages of development, after months of planning, the RBC has launched their Web site: www.RainbowBusinessCoalition.com.

The Web site is the product of carefully planned research and design.  Tommy Forcella, webmaster of the RBC highlights the site’s features.  “The Web site was designed as an informational tool and will be accessible to RBC members to be used in a business-to-business manner.”  Furthermore, the Web site contains a Community Event Calendar which can be utilized by both members and the general public to post non-profit and educational events benefiting the LGBT community.

In addition to the site launch, Lori Deak of The Pride Factory and Reece Darham of Island City Fitness have been selected as Interim Co-Chairs of the organization. Founding members Peter Clark, Jennifer Morales, Terry DeCarlo and Joe Van Eron, will now lead the organization’s advisory board.  “We are all proud to have played our part in the development of the RBC.  I have been inspired by the leadership and determination of the group thus far in recognizing the potential that exists in Greater Fort Lauderdale’s gay business community,” states Clark.  Morales adds: “I am confident that our new Leadership Team will continue to advance the RBC’s mission for growth and unity.”

About the RBC
Greater Fort Lauderdale has developed as a world-class LGBT community and destination.

The Rainbow Business Coalition is an association of representatives of LGBT businesses and community leaders that serve both residents and visitors. The primary mission of the Coalition is to unite the LGBT community by leadership and advocacy. RBC priorities include focusing on communications and networking, promoting new business opportunities, driving sustainable economic growth while expanding market reach and share for the overall benefit of the LGBT community of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

www.RainbowBusinessCoalition.com
www.Facebook.com/RainbowBusinessCoalition

Taking a cue from a LGBT anti-bullying bill that passed in Florida last year, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) has introduced a bill that would help protect gays and lesbians from bullying in schools.

“Our nation’s civil rights laws protect our children from bullying due to race, sex, religion, disability, and national origin,” said Franken “My proposal corrects a glaring injustice and extends these protections to our gay and lesbian students who need them just as badly.”

Democratic Rep. Jared Polis, of Colorado had already introduced the Student Nondiscrimination Act (SNDA) of 2010 in the House of Representatives in January.

Pro-gay organizations are already getting behind the legislation.

“Our public schools should be a safe harbor for our students, not a place of exclusion and ridicule,” said the American Civil Liberties Union Laura Murphy whose organization supports the bill. “The Student Non-Discrimination Act will go a long way toward protecting our students and will promote both equality in schools and a safer learning environment.”

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) said that nearly 33 percent of LGBT students missed a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe.

“GLSEN thanks Senator Franken and the 22 Senate cosponsors for making a commitment to ensuring that LGBT students can learn without the fear of being discriminated against simply for who they are,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said.

“SNDA will send a clear message to schools that they must address the hostile environment many LGBT students face in schools.”

NDA is endorsed by more than 25 LGBT, education, civil rights, medical and social justice organizations including: GLSEN, American Civil Liberties Union, American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, Interface Alliance, NAACP, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council of La Raza, and School Social Work Association of America. —FA