Florida Agenda

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON – State Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-Walla Walla) recorded a video ad this week supporting Washington State marriage equality. The three-term Republican lawmaker is one of two GOP House members who voted in favor of the state’s same-sex marriage bill, which passed in February and now faces a voter referendum to affirm or reject the measure.

During debate on the legislation, Walsh delivered an impassioned speech about her gay daughter and her hopes to someday throw her a wedding. The video of the speech went viral, and scored millions of hits on YouTube.

WILTON MANORS – Local filmmaker and photographer Scott Allan, creator of the popular 2011 Stonewall Pride Highlights video, premiered his video tribute to the 2012 Stonewall Summer Pride festival and parade last week, at Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s Filling Station, both located in Wilton Manors. Last year, Allan used the gay anthem “Proud,” by Heather Small, as soundtrack to accompany the video.

For 2012, to honor Stonewall Summer Pride headline entertainer Andy Bell, Allan selected the rare Motiv8 Vocal Liberation dance remix of the Erasure song “Freedom.” Bell, who was front man for the 1980s pop group, performed live on the main stage at the June 24 event.

“The lyrics to Freedom are very inspiring, and a metaphor for the struggles gay people have had in regards to achieving the same freedoms straight people enjoy,” said Allan about the song’s optimistic messages. The six and a half minute video includes scenes of the afternoon’s talent performances, the festive parade down Wilton Drive, the night time concert, and other notable happenings at the day-long festival, held to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, which started the modern LGBT Rights movement.

The video includes dozens of cameo appearances by local citizens and celebrities enjoying themselves, and captured on digital video. The video can be seen locally at area bars and nightclubs, by request of the VJ, or online at scottphotovideo.com.

By JARRETT TERRILL

The Broward Human Trafficking Coalition (BHTC) hosted a film viewing at The African American Research Library last Monday. The documentary film,  “Not My Life” was previewed as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Week.

Adriane Reesey, the President of BHTC facilitated a panel discussion during the film’s intermission which included an impressive array of Justice Department representatives, federal law enforcement agents, victims’ advocates and social workers.  The experts on the panel took turns fielding questions from the audience.

“Not My Life” is a heart-wrenching exposé from CNN about the global sex exploitation industry.  One segment of the film shines a light on runaway teens in America’s heartland that are abducted, threatened, blackmailed and forced to work as prostitutes at truck stops and alongside highways.  Another segment of the film introduces us to the underworld of sex trafficking in India, where hundreds of women and girls can be found locked in small containers and hidden crawlspaces behind restaurants and factories.

This was not the first film showing and panel discussion that the BHTC has conducted but their events are drawing more attention from the community lately.

The horrors of human trafficking have also made a few blips on the radars of some prominent lawmakers in Florida like Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Schultz has long been a consistent advocate for children’s safety in Congress but has recently amplified her concern in a very direct way – by addressing the actual perpetrators of crimes against children in a YouTube video.

Schultz, along with other Florida legislators and officials like Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and James Loftus of Miami-Dade Police, appear in the “Dear John Campaign” videos.  The campaign, which was created by the Children’s Trust and the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, is focused on the perpetrators of sex trafficking rather than just the young people who are frequently being exploited against their will or intention.

In the United States, victims of sex trafficking are often jailed on prostitution charges while those who manipulate, abuse and discourage them go free.  Both the BHTC and the Dear John Campaign aim to counterbalance this problem in Florida by offering support services to victims and increased apprehension of “johns” (the buyers of prostitution).

“No longer will you be able to manipulate, use and abuse them,” says Schultz in the video.  “They are our children.  We are standing up and saying, ‘No, not in my district.’”

Read more:
http://BHTC.us
http://NotMyLife.org
http://Youtube.com/childrenstrust
http://WomensFundMiami.org

By Rory Barbarossa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A gay teen from California has committed suicide just a month after he made an anti-suicide video urging others to “never give up.” Eric James Borges made the video in December for the “It Gets Better” campaign, which features inspiring videos targeting LGBT teens to help them get through difficult times.

In the video, Borges, 19, describes his own personal experiences as a gay youth, discussing the bullying he was subjected to from kindergarten through high school. “I know it is hard and I know what it feels like to be rejected and abused for your biological sexual orientation,” he offered. “I was physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally assaulted on a day-to-day basis for my perceived sexual orientation,” Borges added. “I was stalked, spit on, ostracized and physically assaulted.”

He also described an assault upon himself by students during high school while a teacher was present. This motivated Borges to leave formal school and finish his high school equivalency.

Borges was also open about his coming out experiences at home, describing it as an “extremist Christian household.”

“My mother knew I was gay and performed an exorcism on me in an attempt to cure me,” Borges said on the video. “My anxiety, depression, self-loathing and suicidal thoughts spiked. I had nowhere safe to go, either at home or school.” He was forced by his parents to leave home at the end of September.

Things seemed to have changed for the teen after he began working for the Trevor project to help bullied gay teens. “I have met and befriended the most incredible and authentic people since I’ve come out,” Borges noted.

He then offered assurances that reiterated the theme of the anti-suicide campaign:  “You will love and be loved and I love you. You have an entire life, fit to burst with opportunities ahead of you. Don’t ever give up and don’t ever for one second think that you’re not a valuable and beautiful contribution to this world. It gets better.”

Distraught friends say that Borges gave no indication in recent days that he was planning to end his own life. “He seemed like the normal old Eric the last time I saw him,” friend James Criss told ABC News. “He was fine. I couldn’t tell anything was wrong with him,” Criss added.

OAKLAND PARK, FL – The City of Oakland Park issued a proclamation recognizing World AIDS Day at last week’s city commission meeting. After a unanimous vote approving the proclamation by the city commission, the proclamation was presented by Oakland Park Mayor Suzanne Boisvenue to Michael Albetta, Chair Ameritus of the Florida LGBT Democratic Caucus, and AIDS activist Michael Rajner of the Florida LGBT Democratic Caucus and Sheriff’s Council for Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

World AIDS Day is December 1.

To see a video of the presentation of the proclamation, visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/FloridaAgenda.

Photo: To view the rally and listen to all the speakers at the “Allen West: In His Own Words Rally”, watch the complete VIDEO Here!

By BOB KECSKEMETY

WILTON MANORS, FL – A rally against U.S. Representative Allen West (R) held on Monday, August 8, drew approximately 150 members of the community. The rally, titled “Allen West: In His Own Words,” was organized by a new community organization, Coalition for Fairness & Equality (CoFFE).

The rally was organized just one week ago in response to the congressman’s scheduled appearance before the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA), which was originally scheduled for that date. When the LGBT community was informed of the scheduled appearance of West and that the meeting would be closed to only members of WMBA, community leaders decided to protest outside the meeting, which was going to be held at the Hagen Park Community Center, behind the Wilton Manors City Hall.

But, after seeing the outrage of many members of the LGBT community and threats that the gay business community would be resigning from WMBA, West’s appearance was cancelled. Despite the cancellation, the CoFFE was formed as an educational organization “designed to protect citizenship diversity and inhibit public officials from bullying the LGBT community in order to advance their own political and personal agendas.”

The rally was held in the parking lot near Wilton Drive at the Wilton Manors City Hall. Participants held signs quoting West from various appearances he has made in the past. There were about 50 different quotes from West, such as “[Homosexuality] breaks down the military,” and “[Beating children with belts] enabled us to raise men of character and integrity.” Also included in the placards were the words West used recently in reference to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) as being the most “vile” and “despicable” member of congress. Wasserman Schultz is a very popular member of congress with the LGBT community and represents District 20. West represents District 22 and Wilton Manors is split between the two districts.

Attorney and former Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Dean Trantalis reminded the crowd that Rep. West voted against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and the repeal of “Defense of Marriage Act” and “everything that stands good and right in our community.”

Stuart Milk, Wilton Manors resident and nephew of the famed Harvey Milk, former San Francisco Supervisor and the first openly gay politician in the United States, said that the Prime Minister of  the Czech Republic recently quoted West in saying how much he hates diversity and inclusion. West also said that he is a “tolerant person and that he’s willing to tolerate his constituency. Who wants to be represented by someone who tolerates you?” Milk then said that the philosophy of the LGBT community is not about
tolerance but about acceptance and  inclusion of all communities. “We, as a community, know that we are stronger when we have the full rainbow of colors and we have the full diversity of our  community and celebrate everyone.”

Mitch Caesar, chair of the Broward County Democratic Executive Committee, said that the “Democratic Party stands with the [LGBT community] on the easy issues and the tough issues and frankly [West] is an easy issue. We have to judge candidates and office holders not only by their words, but by their deeds. If you look here, you see his words – we know of his deeds.

You can’t escape all his venom, the angry hostility not only to [the LGBT] community, but to every community that is anything but the narrow group he represents.”

“We did not form this group,” said attorney Norm Kent, “in order to censor Allen West. It was to censure Allen West. And he has earned, richly, that censure and condemnation, not just from the LGBT community, but from the mainstream population he represents.”

Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick said that he doesn’t believe Allen West had ever been in Wilton Manors and that when Resnick met with West in his chambers in Washington, he was cordial and they spoke about issues concerning Wilton Manors. Resnick assured the crowd that the invitation to West to speak before the Wilton Manors Business Association was not made by the Association itself or the City of Wilton Manors, but by WMBA’s president, Celeste Ellich unilaterally. He then read a proclamation from the City of Wilton Manors proclaiming August 8th as “Equality Day” in the City.

Eddy Sierra, president of the Log Cabin Republican Club of Dade County, said that the “Republican Party does not stand for intolerance and bigotry and what Allen West represents, and we are here together as one community and we want to make sure that everybody knows that we have not sponsored Allen West.” He also made it clear that it was the Tea Party of Broward County that was West’s biggest donor in the county. He then asked that LGBT Democrats and Republicans stand together to bring an end to Allen West.

WILTON MANORS, FL– A Wilton Manors based photographer and filmmaker has created a music video to commemorate the 2011 Stonewall Street Festival and Parade. Scott Allan roamed along Wilton Drive with a video camera during the June 19th event and then edited the footage to the classic gay dance anthem “Proud” by Heather Small (the Josh Harris Pride Extended Remix).
The seven minute video contains over 300 shots, from the circus performers in front of the Texaco station to the dunking tank at Sidelines, and just about everything in between. Also included are shots from inside the temporary Stonewall Museum and the fabulous parade of community groups, businesses, elected officials and special guests marching to the cheers of thousands of happy onlookers.

“The vibe and energy from this year’s Stonewall festival was extremely positive and I’m proud that I was able to capture it on video for the community and the world to see,” said Allan. A link to the YouTube video is on Scott Allan’s website at www.ScottPhotoVideo.com/videos, and you might also see it played at Alibi and Bill’s Filling Station. Some of the hundreds of parade participants have already commented on how exciting it is to see the rest of the parade that was in front of and behind them as they marched.

WASHINGTON, DC – Thirteen Democratic senators are releasing a video for the “It Gets Better” project highlighting Democrats’ efforts on gay rights issues and encouraging gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths who are facing harassment in their communities.

The senators, led by freshman Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), unveiled their video at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Capitol news conference. The nearly five-minute-long video is set to upbeat music and features black-and-white clips of each senator shot individually over the past month.

“Unlike with so many other issues that we have to deal with in the Senate, with LGBT equality, there is value in simply talking, in speaking out,” Coons said at the news conference. “It doesn’t necessarily take a law to make a difference. As we said in the video, it’s up to all of us to fight for equality wherever we can. Fortunately, in the Senate, we also have other ways we can fight for equality as well.”

The move comes five days after the New York state legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage, making the state the sixth to permit same-sex unions.

New York is now not only the largest state to approve same-sex marriage but is also the first in which a Republican-controlled chamber has passed a same-sex marriage measure.

The 13 senators featured in the video are Coons and Sens. Mark Udall (Colo.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Al Franken (Minn.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.).

All 13 are among the 25 co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, which was introduced by Feinstein in March and which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Several of the Democratic senators had been featured in videos for the “It Gets Better” project. Others, such as Udall, had been supporters of last year’s effort to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law but had yet to vocally advocate for same-sex marriage.

Among the five senators speaking at the news conference were Wyden — who noted Wednesday that he was among the 14 senators voting “no” on DOMA in 1996 — and Schumer — who voted in favor of DOMA as a House member 15 years ago but in 2009 declared his support for same-sex marriage.

“Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘The arc of history is long but it bends in the direction of justice,’ ” Schumer said. “Last week, my home state of New York took a giant leap in that direction by extending the freedom to marry to all New Yorkers. And the strong bipartisan vote late Friday night in the New York state Senate sent a rousing message to LGBT kids throughout my state who yearn for acceptance: It really does get better.”

 Julie Carson sworn in Nov. 9; will serve out Flippen’s remaining term

 By BOB KECSKEMETY

On Nov.

2, voters in Wilton Manors chose Julie Carson in a special election to replace Vice Mayor Justin Flippen on the Wilton Manors City Commission. Carson beat out Celeste Shank Ellich with 52 percent of the vote. Flippen resigned his commission seat in order to run in the Democratic primary for Florida State Representative-District 92. With her victory, Carson becomes the first openly lesbian to win election to the City Commission.

“I am so excited and very happy to be on the City Commission and so glad I have the opportunity to serve the residents of Wilton Manors,” said Carson, who chose to run a special election to serve out the remaining two years of former Vice Mayor Justin Flippen’s term. “I believe that my biggest contribution could be made in two years. And should I decide, and should the voters decide they want me back, then I’ll consider another run, but this is going to be two years.” Carson sat on the commission briefly when, in November 2008, then City Commissioner Gary Resnick ran for and won the mayoral race, leaving his commission seat empty. The commission then unanimously a p p o i n t e d Carson to fill the seat until a special election was held in February 2009. She lost that election to Scott Newton.

 Carson received a full honor scholarship and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1983 from Middle Tennessee State University with a major in Foreign Language and a minor in Political Science and Women’s Studies. She became interested in public service when she was elected to serve as governor of Tennessee Volunteer Girls State, an annual leadership and citizenship-training program which selects 500 young women of academic excellence and provides them with an opportunity to form and run a mock government.

Carson worked portions of her summer breaks serving as a legislative aide for Girls Nation Program in Washington, D.C. and on the U.S. Congressional staff for Tennessee Congressman William Hill Boner.

Carson is also an accomplished triathlete, participating in as many as 15 events a year. She moved to South Florida from Nashville, Tenn. in 2001. In Nashville she was active in her synagogue and in politics. Six years ago she moved to Wilton Manors from Fort Lauderdale and has been active at her synagogue, Congregation Etz Chaim.

She says one of her first tasks will be to create harmony between the residents and the City Commission.

“I want to make sure all the gaps are bridges between all the communities in the city and that everyone has access to the commission in order to voice their opinions and ideas.”

She also wants to take a close look at the city’s budget, implementing some zero-based budgeting in various departments in order to determine what services are necessary and how to provide them at the lowest possible cost.

In order to better communicate with the residents of Wilton Manors, she is planning to have open office hours and is hoping to have meetings throughout the city so that she can meet with residents from different parts of town who do not otherwise have access to the City Commission. Carson also plans to focus on the city’s elementary school and its seniors community. She regularly consults State Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, who serves on the state’s Elder Committee.

She also believes that business development in the city is important and would like to see the business permitting process be made easier. The city has already budgeted to hire a new director of Community Services.

Hundreds attended a memorial service and c

andlelight vigil in Wilton Manors remembering the young people who have recently committed suicide due to anti- LGBT bullying.  – BK

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