Florida Agenda

By Joe Harris

In a new TV ad, Mitt Romney’s campaign calls “Obama’s Florida” a state with “8.6 percent unemployment, record foreclosures, [and] 600,000 more Floridians in poverty.”

Not according to Rick Scott, who calls that same 8.6 percent unemployment a signal that the Sunshine State is turning an economic corner, posting online that the number vilified by Romney is “the lowest it’s been since December 2008!” and adding that “the number of unemployed has gone from 568,000 to 320,000,” and job growth “has been positive for 23 consecutive months.”

Using the same data, Gov. Scott has touted the numbers to promote his administration’s economic policies. The two men may get a chance to add up the numbers later this month in Tampa, during the Republican National Convention, August 27-30.

Mitt Romney (L) Rick Scott Florida(R)

By Cliff Dunn

The Dale Russell Network, part of the Atlantic Properties International realty empire, is the exclusive listings agent for Forest Trace, the luxury senior living resort community in the Lauderhill subdivision of Inverrary (does the name Jackie Gleason ring a bell, or is Open for Business getting old? – don’t answer that). According to realtor Dale Russell, whose credentials as an LGBT business and community leader include past Presidency of The Pride Center at Equality Park, the adult retirement community offers “luxury resort-style amenities and services for active adults who want more out of life.” For a monthly rental fee, residents experience an active lifestyle with meals, activities – including access to the Inverrary Golf Club – and entertainment all converging to give every day an almost vacation-like feel. And Russell says that the owners, who have historic ties to the Catskills’ legendary Grossinger’s resort, are hoping to make inroads into the LGBT market, opening their amenities to a diverse community of residents.

Russell’s partner (and, you know, partner), Jan Carpenter, says the gay community isn’t the only group Forest Trace is friendly towards. “They are very Realtor® friendly,” says Carpenter, noting that the management of the senior living community is paying renewals to Realtors® in a very timely manner. “We are talking three year, five year renewals – a residual income that they are very consistent in paying.” Open for Business can’t help but think how pleasant it is that there is someone else with a vested interest in the good health and long life of Forest Trace’s residents: their real estate professional.

Feelin’ Groovy

From our Get Well Soon Department (and Don’t Gimme Any Lip About It): Sidelines Sports Bar co-owner Laurie Whittaker has been somewhat speechless of late. After recent episodes of recurring laryngitis, an ear, nose and throat specialist discovered that the Wilton Manors saloon owner and North Miami attorney had two large polyps growing on her vocal chords. Following surgery that went without incident, biopsies found no signs of cancer. Asked by Open for Business how she was feeling, Whittaker responded in her usual soft-spoken manner (and with tongue planted firmly in cheek): “Why does anybody care?” Laughs her partner (and Sidelines marketing director), Jennifer Morales: “I guess that’s the modesty that I fell in love with thirty-plus years ago,” then adds, impishly, “Imagine, a bar owner and an attorney with no voice!”

Everyone Knows its Wendy

The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill has secured the legendary DJ Wendy Hunt to spin poolside this Sunday, July 31, for their Sunday T Dance. Featured at LegendsofVinyl.com, Hunt is known as the Queen Mother of DJs, and is among the longest (and hardest) working of her profession, beginning her thirty-sixth year at the (electronic) tables, and a diverse music playlist featuring everything from Disco to Electronica. Hunt was also pivotal in turning Provincetown into a legendary gay party Mecca. Foregoing nursing school for the turntables in the 1970s, she had her first gig in Boston at Club 1270 (“known as the 12 to regulars,” she reminisces). “You have to have a passion for the music,” says Hunt. Depot co-owner Marc Scharphorn says “that passion will be on display for all to hear and enjoy this Sunday. We are VERY excited to have Wendy spin at The Depot.”

Bless Me, Father, for I have Sinned (Correction)
A photo caption appearing in this column three weeks ago (Open for Business, July 7, 2011: “Cross to Bear”) incorrectly identified Maroone Ford as having purchased a car for Father Bill Collins of Poverello Thrift Store and Food Bank as part of A.J. Cross’ 2010 fundraising event; the caption should have stated that the Ford Focus was purchased thanks to a sizable donation from City County Credit Union. We regret the factual error (but not as much as Florida Agenda creative director Dave Griffiths, who got taken out behind the wood shed by publisher Bobby Blair and editor-in-chief Alex Vaughn, but not in the way he prefers).

By the Numbers (Governor Rick Scott Edition)

According to estimates based upon American Community Survey data, among the states, Florida has the second highest population of LGBT residents, with a +/- 609,219 gay population (representing nearly 5%, or slightly less than 1-in-20, of statewide population), and the Miami/Fort Lauderdale metro area comes in at Number 8 among cities with the highest percentage of LGBT residents within city limits (representing +/- 183,346 person or, again, nearly 5% of total population statistics).
According to data collected by City-Data.com and the U.S. Census Bureau, total spending of LGBT individuals was $712 Billion in 2008.

That same data also revealed that average adjusted gross income for Florida’s LGBT population was $50,523 per annum; median household value was $218,699; median age was 38.7; and average household size was 2.5.

In Broward County’s predominantly gay zip codes (33301, 33304, 33305), those numbers are $87,812 per annum for average adjusted gross income; median household value was $522,158; median age was 40.0; and average household size was 1.9.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Refuses to include sexual orientation as part of diversity

Photo: Florida Gov. Rick Scott , shuns state LGBT employees. Courtesy, bruceritchie.blogspot.com

ByJEREMY JONES

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – It only took a few hours into his first day in office for Florida Gov. Rick Scott to shun state LGBT employees. Shortly after being sworn in Jan. 4 as the state’s 45th governor, Scott issued an executive order addressing diversity in state government, but refused to include sexual orientation as part of that diversity.

Last month, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) requested Scott include sexual orientation when addressing matters of diversity. The Council, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988, is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

In a Dec. 6 letter to Scott’s transition team, PBCHRC President Rand Hoch requested that the incoming governor’s first executive order address equal opportunity in state employment.

“By doing so on the day you take office, you will assure all Floridians that the State of Florida is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in state government to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or marital status,” Hoch wrote.

While the council’s request was for an inclusive order, Scott instead issued Executive Order 11-04, which narrowly limited Florida’s non-discrimination policies to only include race, gender, creed, color and national origin. “Gov. Scott’s limited view of diversity is very discouraging,” said Hoch. “Gov. Scott did not even include all of the classifications listed in the Florida Civil Rights Act – let alone sexual orientation and gender identity.”

The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. In addition, Florida courts have also determined that pregnancy is a protected classification. “It is disappointing that Gov. Scott did not include LGBT Floridians in his executive order. He campaigned on his promise to create and retain jobs in Florida. Creating jobs and getting our economy going means making Florida competitive and attracting talent to our state,” said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. “These basic protections already cover more than half of Florida’s population through local policies and have the support of nearly 90 percent of the public.

It is time to ensure full equality exists statewide.”

While the governor’s decision to not include sexual orientation in the order is disheartening, Smith said it is too early to make sweeping assessments of how the Scott administration will respond to future matters affecting the LGBT community. She says Equality Florida has allies in Tallahassee on both sides of the aisle who are helping make the case for equality.

Smith also said that it is important that the community continue to push Gov. Scott and elected officials to build bipartisan support for the Florida Competitive Workforce Act that was recently introduced by Sen. Nan Rich.

Rich filed legislation aimed at bringing jobs to Florida. The Competitive Workforce Act (SB 346) would eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Major employers in Florida have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies and are working closely with Equality Florida to encourage others to do the same. These companies include: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida; Pepsico, Sweetbay Supermarket; Carlton Fields; jetBlue Airways; Citi and Wells Fargo. Most recently, Leon and Orange counties have adopted similar protections.

photo courtesy:Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Shortly after he was sworn in as Florida’s 45th governor, Rick Scott issued an executive order addressing diversity in state government.

A request for the order had been made last month by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

The Council, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988, is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

In a Dec. 6 letter to the Scott Transition Team, Council President Rand Hoch requested that the incoming governor’s first executive order address equal opportunity in state employment.
“By doing so on the day you take office, you will assure all Floridians that the State of Florida is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in state government to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or marital status,” Hoch wrote.

While the council’s request was for an inclusive order, Scott instead issued Executive Order 11-04, which narrowly limited Florida’s non-discrimination policies to address only race, gender, creed, color and national origin.

“Gov. Scott’s limited view of diversity is very discouraging,” said Hoch. “Gov. Scott did not even include all of the classifications listed in the Florida Civil Rights Act — let alone sexual orientation and gender identity.”

The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. In addition, Florida courts have also determined that pregnancy is a protected classification.

Photo: Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott (above). PBHRC believes Scott more receptive than Crist on LGBT issues

By BOB KECSKEMETY

The Palm Beach Human Rights Council has sent a letter to Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott requesting that his first executive order as governor be to address equal opportunity in state employment.

This is not the first time the West Palm Beach-based organization has made this request to a Florida Governor. Their requests for the same issue remained ignored by outgoing  Gov. Charlie Crist. Rand Hock, PBHRC president, remains optimistic that the incoming governor will be more receptive.

The governor could guarantee equal opportunity to all state employees, regardless of sexual orientation, with a simple executive order. PBHRC sent the text of the proposed executive order to Scott in a Dec. 6 letter addressing the issue.

The Council’s proposed executive order would require all state agencies to “recruit, appoint, train, evaluate and promote state personnel on the basis of merit and fitness, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or marital status or other non-job-related factors.”

“Unlike Charlie Crist, who spent much of his adult life in the political arena, Rick Scott has spent years in the corporate world,” said Hoch in a written statement. “As he takes over as Florida’s chief executive officer, Rick Scott can take this opportunity to assure all state employees that under his leadership, they will be evaluated based on the basis of merit and fitness, as opposed to any non-job related factors.”

Similar executive orders have been issued by the governors of 30 states including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Optimism is one thing, but if Scott’s answers, or lack t hereof, during t

he election debates are any indication of what he will do for the LGBT community, the PCHRC could be waiting a long time for Scott to take action, if he ever does. In a debate with Sink, Scott refused to directly answer the question of whether he thought homosexuality was immoral, rather saying he believes “marriage is between and man and a woman” and that children are better off “if they are raised by a married couple.” He continued by saying, “We know that, and studies show that, children raised in a traditional family do better in school and in life.”

Scott has also blasted Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum for supporting “pro-homosexual rights candidate Rudy Giuliani for president in 2008.

By JOHN BRISENDINE

The freaks and monsters will be out full force this weekend — and I’m not just talking about the ghouls for Halloween, either. The politicos running for public office, and their minions, will be making the last-minute push to get their message out to garner votes for candidates and favored amendments.

First of all, what the hell is Amendment 4 and why should I vote against it? A check of the website Florida2010.org is a confusing mish-mash that still doesn’t clearly tell me what Amendment 4 is all about. However, I sure as hell see the signs in many front yards proclaiming “NO TO 4!” I know a lot of us in Central Florida would like to say “NO TO to I-4” but I’m still confused about Amendment 4.

As for the candidates on the ballots, I hear so much negativity coming from all sides about the local and statewide candidates that I don’t want to vote for any of them. The Tea Party is the new movement at the forefront touting candidates who are against the Obama administration.

Do these goofballs, in their George Washington powdered wigs, even realize how silly they look strutting around and clamoring for a change? A change for what? I mean, c’mon already, let’s just keep tea bagging in the bedroom where it belongs!

As for some of the candidates, I have to go with my gut. Sure, I’ll vote Alex Sink for governor. She reminds me of a lesbian with her short haircut and uber-butch first name. Furthermore, I like lesbians. Alex Sink does not identify as a lesbian at all, and she’s definitely not, but when I see her on TV, she reminds me of one and that’s why she has my vote.

Her opponent in the gubernatorial race is Rick Scott and I don’t like him at all. He looks like those lizards that my cat Izzy chases around on my back patio. However, I do like his mom who has been in his campaign commercials. She seems like a nice old lady who probably knows how to cook up a great Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe I will just vote for her.

In the U.S. Senate race, we have hottie Marco Rubio running on the Republican ticket, after usurping Charlie Crist in the primary earlier this year. Of course, good ol’ Charlie, with his metrosexual spray tan, isn’t one to sit idly by on the sidelines when there’s a race to run. Instead of gracefully bowing out, he is all of a sudden an alleged independent. If Charlie were so damned independent, he wouldn’t have been a Republican for so many years. How is it that when his own party shunned him, that he finally got a spine? He’s a bigger flip-flopper than a fry cook at McDonald’s. At least, the flip-flopper at Mickey D’s produces a tasty product. Charlie has just spent too much time under the heat lamp to be considered fresh anymore.

Kendrick Meek is the Democratic nominee and he’s to be the man I’m leading toward. He seems like a guy I’d like to share a “Bay Breeze” with at happy hour.

I’m just tired of Republicans, Democrats and Tea Partiers. I’m just gonna say to hell with it all and start my own party and call it the Pajama Party.

On a final note, check out all the great costumes in the many Halloween costume contests this weekend at most of the clubs here in the Orlando area. The grandest contest of all takes place at The Parliament House this weekend. On Saturday night, October 30th, the grand prize winner of that contest takes away $1,000 CASH! On Sunday, the 31st, the winner take away $3,000 cold, hard, throbbing CASH! For more info, log onto www.parliamenthouse.com.

Well, with this update on the monsters on the ballot or in the nightclubs, I hope you get out to vote no matter what. Twisted Tom will be here next week and I’ll see you again on November 11th. Bye for now.

ELECTION DEBATE CONTINUES …

While Matthew Tsien and Peter Ryskewecz have every right to place an ad in this newspaper urging Floridians to “Dare To Be Different” and vote Republican on November 2, given the slate of Republican candidates in this election cycle, a more apt title for this ad directed to gay people or anyone concerned with human rights might be “Dare To Be Stupid.”

Marco Rubio never saw a gay issue he supported. Rick Scott thinks gays should be banned from adopting, AND foster parenting.

The Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Dan Gelber, would accept the court ruling ending the Florida gay adoption ban. Republican Pam Bondi said she would appeal it to the Florida Supreme Court.

Democratic Congressman Ron Klein voted to end the military ban on out gays. Republican Allen West doesn’t think gays belong in the military at all, closeted or otherwise.

For most self-respecting gay men and women, LGBT rights are not the only issue we vote on, but they ARE a part of the mix. Messrs. Tsien and Ryskewecz fail to understand this.

MARC PAIGE

It is assumed that all Gays are Democrat voters except for a very few who are super rich. I am neither; but I am a Gay Republican business woman who recognizes that finally a greater number of gays and lesbians know that the GLBT political class and the Obama Democrats will say anything to scare us into the voter’s booth determined that we pull the Democrat lever.

“No funding for AIDS!” “No marriage equality!” “Rampant homophobia…”… goes the mantra. But most of it is a big lie and just because I am a lesbian does not mean I have to live a life of relentless left-wing lies. AIDS funding does not disappear with GOP majorities, and at least half of Republicans believe in civil unions. In fact, the lead attorney in overturning California’s Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage is also an out-spoken movement conservative.

We need a dramatic reduction in the federal government. The Post Office is technologically obsolete. The Commerce Department and Small Business Administration create neither jobs nor business; they are merely edifices of pretentiousness. The Health and Human Services Department is already duplicated at the state and local level. The Department of Education in Washington, D.C. has no student contact while its only real interest is in keeping inferior performing teachers employed in order to get their union dues, which are aimed at running class warfare ads during campaign time.

I want a country that is driven by ethical, democratic capitalism and puts people back to work. Our federal and state governments are out of control and run by greedy public-sector employee unions. Our government has tens of billions of dollars of unfunded pension obligations for which we, the taxpayer are liable. The career politicians have bankrupt Social Security and Medicare to the point where the government is the equivalent to 200 Enrons.

When all the votes are counted, we are going to find out that a lot of Gays and Lesbians became politically mature, wised up and voted Republican.

– D. A. ROBERTSON

To read the diatribe of “former Democrat”, you might believe that the economic history of the U.S. extends back only to January 20, 2009 (the day that President Obama was inaugurated.)

The fact is (Glen Beck notwithstanding) that the U.S. economy was under the policies and oversight of Republican Congressional control from 1995 to 2009, and the Presidency also was controlled by Republicans from 2001 to 2009.

Federal taxes are now the same rates as during the Bush years. And, deficits? Despite the fact of a budget surplus at the end of the Clinton presidency, and at least six Bush years of (artificially) booming economy, the Republican Congress and President always turned in annual deficits of several hundred $$Billion…and that was in good economic times!

Bailouts? Those were largely initiated by Bush, and his Goldman Sachs Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen, to the tune of $700 Billion…all cheerfully funded and added to the deficit (lent back to us!) by the heirs of Mao Tse Tung of modern day China! (Take a look in the mirror, next time you shop at Wal-Mart, if you are looking for someone to blame for 10% unemployment in the U.S.! Try to find something at Wal-Mart that is not made in China!)

The shameful $150 Billion dollar bailout of AIG, by President Bush, ended up largely in the pockets of fat cat hedge funds and banks, and Wall Streeters, as payouts, after AIG stupidly “insured” the value of junk bonds, (which were magically rated AAA by Moody’s et al.) Our Bush-era economic system was raped and pillaged over and over, without a single kiss…no flowers…and obviously no respect the next day…since the same cast of characters wants yet another chance to stick it to us.

Mr. Former Democrat is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts. A huge herd of elephants roamed this country for most of the past ten years, and left massive dung piles everywhere. And, who is left to clean up the mess, and who is to be blamed for the lingering stench? Mr. Former has invented his own facts on that.

– FRED REISSNER

By Kevin Miller

Click on Image to View Full-Scale

In 1977, Anita Bryant had a dream that gays and lesbians would never be able to adopt children in Florida. Thirty-three years later, ultra-conservative Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum put the final dagger in Bryant’s dream — in what had actually turned out to be a nightmare for the entire GLBT community.

On October 22, McCollum announced he will not appeal a September 22 state appellate court ruling that overturned Florida’s ban on adoption by gay men or lesbians.

“The constitutionality of the Florida law banning adoption by homosexuals is a divisive matter of great public interest,” McCollum said in a statement. “As such, the final determination should rest with the Florida Supreme Court, not a lower appellate court. But after reviewing the merits of independently seeking Supreme Court review, following the decision of our client the Department of Children and Families not to appeal the decision of the Third District Court of Appeal, it is clear that this is not the right case to take to the Supreme Court for its determination. No doubt someday a more suitable case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to uphold the constitutionality of this law.”

Frank Martin Gill, had filed the case against The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) because he wanted to adopt two young boys that he and his partner had been fostering for nearly six years.

“We are relieved that this process has finally come to an end, and that we can focus on being a family,” Gill said in a statement. Both DCF and Florida Governor Charlie Crist had said that they would not appeal the ruling.

The Keen News Service reported that McCollum told the Florida Baptist Witness in August, “I don’t believe in gay adoption” — but Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas reported that, in May, when he had asked McCollum if he favored taking the boys from Gill, McCollum mentioned a gay campaign aide who had adopted children and said, “Let’s leave it at that.”

While the law has essentially been overturned by the courts, McCollum’s statement leaves open the possibility that the state or DCF would continue to challenge adoptions by gays and lesbians and eventually take the fight all the way to Florida’s Supreme Court unless the ban is written out of the state’s constitution by legislators, which at this point does not look like it’s going to happen.

Another court challenge that is on the horizon is that of lesbian Vanessa Alenier who is trying to adopt 21-month-old Ethan, a biological relative who has been with her since he was nine days old.

Alenier’s case was recently heard by Third District Court and DCF has not decided yet whether they will continue to fight Alenier’s adoption of Ethan or stop the case altogether.

“The breadth of social science and child welfare research – spanning 25 years – proves irrefutably that gays and lesbians make every bit as much of a good parent as straight parents,” said American Civil Liberties Union Spokesman Brandon Hensler. The ACLU is supporting Alenier in her case.

Currently there are about 1,000 children available for adoption in the state of Florida and another 19,000 who are in temporary foster care and could also be adopted, according to DCF.

Florida’s two candidates running for the open Governor position has different views concerning the gay adoption ruling. Republican Rick Scott said, “Children should be raised in a home with a married man and a woman. Pressed to expand on whether the state should forbid gays from having children through other methods, such as surrogate parenting or in vitro fertilization, Scott repeated his previous statement. Democrat Alex Sink said: “As a mom who cares about what is in the best interest of Florida’s children, I support the end of this ban.”