Florida Agenda

ORLANDO, FL – At the recent Fox News/YouTube Republican Debate held in Orlando, the audience booed a video submitted by Stephen Hill, a soldier serving in Iraq concerning the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In the question directed at former Senator Rick Santorum, Hill asked: “Do you plan to circumvent the progress that has been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?”

The audience at the debate then booed the military man.

Santorum answered: “Any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military. And the fact that they are making it a point to include it as a provision within the military – that we are going to recognize a group of people and give them a special privilege, I think tries to inject social policy into the military and the military’s job is to defend our country. We need to give the military, which is all volunteer, the ability to do so in a way that is most efficient and protective of our men and women in uniform and I believe this undermines that ability.”

Debate panelist Megyn Kelly asked a followed up question: “So, what would you do with soldiers like Stephen Hill now he’s out?

What would you do as president?”

Santorum responded: “What we’re doing right now is playing social experimentation with our military right now, and that’s tragic. Going forward we would reinstitute that policy….”

Neither Santorum, any of the other candidates, nor the debate panel addressed the disrespect the audience gave to Hill.

The next day on Fox News, Santorum did say: “I condemn the people who booed that gay soldier. That soldier is serving our country.

I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he is doing an excellent job. I hope he is safe.

I hope he returns safely, and does his mission well. I have to admit I seriously did not hear those boos. Had I heard them, I certainly would have commented on them.”

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Stonewall National Library and Archives will honor Elaine Noble and Joel Burns with their Stonewall Heritage of Pride and Stonewall Spirit of Pride Awards at its Our Stars event on November 11.

Elaine Noble, who in 1975 became the first openly gay person in American history to be elected to a statehouse, and “Man of the Year” Joel Burns, the Fort Worth City Councilman whose tearful speech on bullying to his colleagues was seen by over two million people around the world on YouTube.

“It’s our great pleasure to celebrate our history and culture by honoring these two incredible role models,” said Brian McNaught, chair of the Stonewall Our Stars Committee. “Elaine Noble made it possible for other gay politicians to be out of the closet. Joel Burns now carries the torch that Elaine first lit.”

On the evening of November 11, Library patrons will gather at the home of Brian McNaught and Ray Struble for a private reception with Noble and Burns. Stonewall will present the Stonewall Heritage of Pride Award to Elaine and the Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award to Joel at the reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on how you can join the celebration, please visit www.stonewallnationalmuseum.org and click on the Our Stars Ticket link.

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

Last weekend saw the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Stonewall locally, but that’s peanuts compared to the competition that the city of Montreal, Canada is staging. The first ever Queer of the Year is going to be crowned this summer!

Everyone in the LGBT community is eligible to enter. First visit www.QueerOfTheYearContest.com to read all the rules and legal documents. Then create a one-minute video showcasing why you should hold the title of Queer of the Year. The judges are looking for people with personality, talent, sex appeal, a sense of community and someone who maintains a healthy lifestyle.

“The Queer of the Year is definitely a do-er. He/she is, of course, a pioneer of LGBT rights, but is also an active member of the broader community – speaking out on local issues and getting involved in any way they can to make the world a better place. Whether it’s fundraising for local charities, or organizing clean-ups around their city, we’re looking for a Queer of the Year with a heart of gold.”

Next upload the video to Youtube and go back to the QOTY website to create a profile and fill out an application. The top 20 videos with the most votes will be interviewed by a panel of judges.  Of that group, five will be flown into Montreal to compete for the QOTY crown during Montreal’s gay pride week (August 9-16). The five finalists will get an expenses paid trip and will compete in several different competitions, live on webcam.

The person with the most votes by the end of the competition will be crowned Queer of the Year! All videos must be uploaded now, and the ones that have the most votes by July 15 will qualify for the top 20 semifinals round.

Montreal is one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in North America. Their St. Catherine Street is closed down to vehicular traffic during the entire summer, so it becomes a huge haven for mayhem during the gay pride week. A free trip to this beautiful French paradise in North America is certainly worth the effort to win this competition.  Good luck to all South Florida applicants!