Florida Agenda

By SCOTT GALVIN

Recently, I was speaking to a Gay Studies class at Florida International University, my alma mater. A student asked me which one LGBT law I would change if I were empowered to do so. I’m sure most expected me to say I’d legalize gay marriage, the continued hot topic of the gay community.

Instead I answered with something that was not only unexpected, but for many, a topic they didn’t realize existed. I said I would overturn the federal ban on gay men donating blood.

Since 1985, gay men have not been able to legally donate blood in the United States. This policy was instituted by our government in the earliest, most fearful days of the AIDS epidemic. When so little was known about the disease, reactionary officials instituted the ban as a way to ensure the nation’s blood supply would remain “clean.”

The gay rights movement has many fields of battle. In recent months, Congress has repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” President Obama signed a bill extending hate crime protections to sexual orientation, and more and more states allow same-sex marriage.

But to our list of equality issues, we should immediately add overturning a ridiculous Federal policy which jeopardizes the well-being of each of us. We should fight to overturn the Federal ban on gay men (“MSMs,” or men who have sex with men) donating blood.

The good news is that there is a growing movement afoot in Washington, DC to do it. Under the leadership of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has outlined concrete steps toward ending the outdated, discriminatory lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

In 2010, a group of 18 U.S. Senators led by Massachusetts’s Kerry penned a letter to FDA officials calling for an end to an “outdated, medically and scientifically unsound” policy.

Most Americans—including many gays—do not even realize the ban is still in place. The FIU gay issues class students I addressed were well-versed in gay marriage, bullying, AIDS awareness, and the usual gay rights issues. But when I brought up the blood ban, very few of the people in attendance knew it existed.

Obviously, thanks to modern science, we now know much more about the spread of HIV and AIDS than we did in 1985. Truly, this ban is unnecessary and outdated. Donated blood is screened thoroughly between the time it is donated and when it is used for medical procedures. Technology easily helps us catch any tainted blood before it can be given to someone in need.

I have begun to reach out to my Congresspersons and various gay rights organizations. With President Obama in the White House, we have an amazing chance to end a moronic and discriminatory policy. Two thousand twelve is a watershed year for the gay rights movement. Let us also make this the year.

Your favorite virtue.

These days, I’d like to see more honesty in the world. Patience wouldn’t be bad either.

Your favorite qualities in a person.

That’s hard to say. I am accepting of folks pretty much how they are. I don’t expect them to bend to my likings.

Your chief characteristic.

I’d like to think I’m hard-working and diligent. Others probably see me as a pain in the arse. What you appreciate most in your friends. Their patience. I work too much and socialize too little. Thus, I’m glad they put up with me!

Your main fault.

I work too much.

Your favorite occupation.

Someday, I hope to quarterback the Miami Dolphins. But, based on my age, it looks like the window of opportunity is closing quickly.

Your idea of happiness.

Short term, seeing the Dolphins win the Super Bowl would cause me to be giddy for days. Long term, I’d just love to be able to sit in peace and quiet and enjoy my surroundings, petting my cats and surrounded by the family I love.

Your favorite authors.

These days, I read books of various topics. I just finished a bio on Evel Knievel and now am on a work of political fiction by Sen. Bob Graham. Of late, I haven’t stuck with any one author (sorry, “Twilight” fans). But as a kid, I read a ton of Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Your heroes in real life.

I used to teach American History, so obviously, I have an affinity for all our great leaders, from Washington to Lincoln to MLK. But my most unique hero is Vanessa Williams.

She had to withstand so much in being forced to give up her Miss America title in 1984. It’s somewhat forgotten today, but at the time, that was a huge scandal. Nude photos. Sponsors threatening to pull out of the pageant. National embarrassment. A lesser person would have folded camp. Instead, she became the force she is today. That took strength of character and will-power.

What characters in history do you most dislike?

Again, it’s easy to go with history’s big villains: Hitler, Pol Pot, Castro. But I’m very disappointed in some current U.S. politicians who preach an agenda of hate and intolerance, while holding up the Constitution and Bible as justification. This is 2012. Stop being angry. As Al Green once sang, “Put a little love in your heart.”

What do you hate the most?

I hate that federal law still prohibits me, and all other gay men, from donating blood. It’s an outdated, discriminatory law and I look forward to President Obama overturning it in his second term.

The reform you admire the most.

Obviously, the progress of the LGBT movement. The openness and freedoms I enjoy now were unheard of 25 years ago when I was in high school. In fact, some of them were impossible 4 years ago. We still have some way to go, but I feel so lucky to be alive and see us come this far.

How do you wish to die?

After the age of 100. I’ve told many friends it’s seriously a goal of mine to live to be at least 100.

For what fault are you the most intolerant?

Anger.

The natural talent you’d like to be gifted with.

I’ve always wished I could sing. But I can’t. Ask anyone

Your personal motto.

In my high school yearbook, I listed as my motto: “You’re only young once, but you can be immature indefinitely.” Today, I don’t act as goofy as I might wish, but I still make sure I don’t take myself too seriously.

Scott Galvin has served on the North Miami City Council since 1999.

He is also a member of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors, and

a lifelong resident of North Miami.

Councilman Galvin Leads Authorities to Suspects

By ALEX VAUGHN

Earlier today, Councilman Scott Galvin revealed that he has been working directly with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office (SAO) on an investigation of public corruption in North Miami, since October 2010.

State law enforcement officers arrested Ricardo Brutus, campaign manager and nephew of North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre today.  He has been criminally charged with unlawful compensation, the equivalent of bribery.  Brutus is also Pierre’s appointee to the City’s Board of Adjustment.

Galvin said in a statement, “It has been a long time coming.” He went on to state, “Today’s arrest is a direct result of information I brought to law enforcement five months ago. The exact details of my assistance in the probe will become known very soon as investigators and the State Attorney publicly release details. And I will share with you whatever they allow me to do that does not jeopardize our case.”

Galvin, a native of North Miami, was first elected to the city council in 1999 and has been subsequently re-elected without opposition in 2003 and 2007. Galvin also sits on the international Board of Directors for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). He announced he was running for re-election in February 2011.

He continued in a statement issued by his office, “It will also become very clear why the corrupt forces of influence have attacked me so personally. They have done their best to discredit me and distract our community from the real scandal. Today’s arrest and the dominoes that will fall as a result will help set the record straight.”

He concluded stating, “While the political pressure and attacks on me have also been difficult to take, they don’t even compare to the damage

these corrupt double-dealers have done to North Miami. I spoke up and did what was right for a simple reason — corruption and illegal dealing cannot be tolerated or seen as “just part of the process. It’s not. And as long as I am honored with the public trust, I will not stand for even a moment of it. Today, the first round of justice is being served in North Miami.”

NORTH MIAMI – North Miami City Commissioner Scott Galvin has announced that he will be running for reelection to the commission.

Galvin, a native of North Miami, was first elected to the city council in 1999 and has been subsequently re-elected without opposition in 2003 and 2007. Galvin also sits on the international Board of Directors for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Florida International University, where he graduated in 1991. He also graduated from North Miami Senior High in 1986 and has been a staunch supporter ever since. In 2003, he established the non-profit “Pioneer Pride Fund” to benefit school programs. His efforts were acknowledged in 2004 when Galvin was elected to the school’s “Golden Pioneer” hall-of-fame. In 2010, Galvin unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives seat then occupied by Rep. Kendrick Meek who instead ran and lost his bid for U.S. Senator from Florida.

Young voices want to be heard

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

The Broward County Council of Gay-Straight Alliances, an independently-run LGBT student group, has announced its’ list of endorsements for the 2010 election cycle. Representing student groups from 26 Broward High Schools, the Council advocates on behalf of LGBTQ students and teachers.

“In these challenging times for LGBT Equality, we are proud to stand beside our allies and work to ensure fair-minded, progressive candidates are elected to positions that can help ensure LGBT students receive a fair and adequate education,” said Ryan Terrell, President of the Broward Council of GSAs.

The Council plans on providing volunteers, tactical advice on issues, and other campaign services to its preferred candidates. They have already supported a couple of Broward campaigns this year.

Andrew Torres of Coral Springs, the incoming President of the Council, added that the Council usually makes endorsements only in races that it deems can have a direct impact on LGBT students and teachers.

“We’re looking forward to a fun and spirited campaign cycle,” said Torres, who takes over at the end of the school year.

This year’s endorsements are:

Scott Galvin- U.S. Congress, District 17 Justin Flippen- State Representative, District 92 Ken Keechl, Broward County Commission, District 4 Patti Good- Broward County School Board, District 2 Dave Thomas- Broward County School Board, District 4 Laurie Rich Levinson- Broward County School Board, District 6 Jennifer Leonard Gottlieb-Broward County School Board, District 8- At Large.

The Broward GSA was founded in February 2008 and has about 50 members.  In two years the group helped more than 20 high schools start local gay-straight alliances.

“This new community support was essential to our efforts to pass a Broward School Board Resolution recognizing the National Day of Silence and a Broward Democratic Executive Committee Resolution calling for a National School Safety and Crime Prevention Strategy by the Department of Education, both projects that I spearheaded as the Council President,” Terrell said.

For more information about the group, visit www.dosomething.org/project/broward-county-council-gay-straight-alliances