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Urge the Florida Congressional Delegation To End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."Posted August 04th, 2009 at 06:57pm
TAKE ACTION ALERT:
Add Your Name To Letter To Help :REPEAL" "Don't Ask - Don't Tell"
Equality Florida, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Progress Florida
August 2, 2009
Urge the Florida Congressional Delegation To End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
 Keith Meinhold is a Florida native and decorated combat veteran. He asked us to share the message below with the Progress Florida community. If you are moved by his story, please join us as we team up with Equality Florida and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and urge the Florida congressional delegation to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." (http://www.progressflorida.org/page/s/repealdadt?source=email&subsource=thirdlink)Mark Ferrulo
Executive Director, Progress Florida My fellow Floridian,
I served as an aircrew instructor aboard the Navy's P-3C Orion aircraft and flew combat missions throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Persian Gulf. Despite being rated in the top ten percent of all Navy instructors I was kicked out of the Navy after outing myself on a national news broadcast as part of an effort to stop a witch hunt against other gay, lesbian and bisexual service members. I'm writing to you today because together we have a unique opportunity to right a wrong and stop injustice and discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law bans gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly in the U.S. military. This law has been directly responsible for 13,000 dedicated military personnel having their careers taken away, their dignity dragged through the mud and their families torn apart. These discharges have included Arabic linguists, pilots, medics and others that held critical skill sets. Please sign our letter to the Florida congressional delegation urging them to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." (http://www.progressflorida.org/page/s/repealdadt?source=email&subsource=thirdlink) Every day we are getting closer to the 218 co-sponsors needed to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283 in the U.S. House of Representatives) and repeal this backward law. With 168 co-sponsors as of today, we are just 50 short of the mark. With your help we can meet our objective over the next 60 days, and have a real shot at getting a vote this year. There are many compelling reasons for repeal. A 2006 Blue Ribbon Commission found that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" caused the Pentagon to waste more than $360 million in taxpayer funds between 1994 and 2003. But perhaps more importantly, no other law mandates firing someone because they are gay, lesbian or bisexual. The 65,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and one million veterans, should not be treated as second class citizens. As a Floridian, I am proud to report that today there is real momentum for repeal right here in our state. Nine members of Florida's congressional delegation ranging from Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Miami) to Democrat Kathy Castor (Tampa) have co-sponsored this historic legislation. And thanks to the hard work of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network city governments, the latest being Miami, are passing resolutions in support. Now, we need your help. Please sign our letter to the Florida congressional delegation urging them to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." (http://www.progressflorida.org/page/s/repealdadt?source=email&subsource=thirdlink) Following my discharge a Federal court reinstated me into Navy where I served for another four years openly gay. It was the most rewarding four years of my career. My crew flew combat missions over the Persian Gulf and was recognized by the Navy as the most combat effective in the Pacific Fleet. I was also awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. I am the first openly gay man to retire from active duty with full military honors. With your support there will be many more. Thank you in advance for your commitment to justice for every active duty military service member and veteran in the United States. Yours in service, Keith Meinhold Petty Officer 1st Class, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Miami, Florida Letter to Florida Congressional Delegation
Dear Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation: The time has come to end discrimination in our armed forces. We, the undersigned Floridians, ask you to help repeal the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law by joining the growing list of 168 co-sponsors of H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has resulted in the loss, through discharge, of more than 13,000 service members since it was implemented in 1993. These discharges have included Arabic linguists, pilots, medics and others that held critical skill sets. The law has destroyed thousands of careers and compromised the strength of our over-burdened military. Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is the right thing to do – for justice and for national security. Please co-sponsor H.R. 1283 today. Sincerely, Tampa Bay Joins Nationwide Call to Action For Prop 8 Day of ActionPosted March 25th, 2009 at 04:41am
Tampa Bay Metro Area Joins Nationwide Call to Action Following CA Supreme Court Proposition 8 Ruling As I'm sure you are aware, a legal challenge against Proposition 8 was heard by the California Supreme Court Justices. The court is required by law to announce its decision no later than 90 days after the March 5th oral arguments, up until June 3, however could come sooner. This is a national issue because if Prop. 8 is upheld, it will be the first time in American history that a recognized minority groups rights will be taken out of a constitution.
National groups including, Join the Impact, Centerlink, (the National Association of LGBT Community Centers), Metropolitan Community Churches & others have signed on to help organize across the nation in hundreds of cities. Tampa Bay Family Pride, Pride Tampa Bay, ImpACT Florida and Tampa Bay Coalition are the first to sign up in Florida, we'd be honored to have your group or organization join with us.
Activists R. Zeke Fread and Cathy James are reaching out to community members, leaders, our allies, local, statewide GLBT groups and organizations to seek their participation in the National Day Of Decision Action in Florida.
TAMPA BAY
DATE: TBA (We will receive a 24 hours notice of the rulings announcement. Local organizers and volunteers, will immediately begin making phone calls and sending email blasts to alert local news media and those participants of the celebration or protest.
TIME: 6:30, Candlelight Vigil at Dusk to 9::30
LOCATION: Joe Chillura Courthouse Square at the Corners of Morgan, Kennedy, Pierce & Madison (Across the street from Hillsborough County Center & Court House, 610 E. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33602)
"Either we'll be celebrating the ruling as a step forward for equality or expressing our anger and disappointment by protesting it. Whether Prop. 8 is upheld or invalidated, I fear it could have a ripple effect on promises made by proponents of Florida's Amendment 2." R. Zeke Fread said.
Those who opposed Amendment 2, believed its carefully crafted ambivalent and misleading language, opened the door to a wide range of interpretation by Florida's court system. Proponents vehemently denied this and promised it could never be used to prevent or strip existing domestic partners benefits from unmarried heterosexual and gay couples. However, the Prop 8 ruling, could serve to supply them with just what they need to break their promise and use Amendment 2 to accomplish just this.
"We would like to have at least 20 cities in Florida hold events. Prop 8 was not just a California issue, Prop 102 was not just an Arizona issue and Amendment 2 was not just a Florida issue. Every time the majority imposes discrimination on the minority it is all Americans that suffer." said Cathy James.
The stakes in California could never be higher. A positive decision would help fortify the LGBT community against what could be some very difficult years of economic strain and scapegoating. A negative decision would likely inflame the heightened level of violence already recorded against LGBT communities over the past year. Either way, the results in California will be have an impact nationally.
Let's stand with our brothers and sisters in California and across the country, to either celebrate or in protest. As well as use this opportunity to be a unified visible presence and voice, to once again remind Floridian's that promises made about Amendment 2 must be kept.
Again, we will only have 24 hours notice of when the ruling will be announcement. But we will be planning now for whenever the event occurs. Please, stay tuned for information on rally locations, organizers and how to sign to volunteer or participate in a local action.
Please forward this alert to all of your groups, family and friends not only in Florida but all over the country. As rallies will happen all over the country.
For more information, please visit Day of Decision's website: http://www.dayofdecision.org. To volunteer your time, talent or attend in the Tampa Bay Area rally or cities/towns across our state go to http://PrideTB.homestead.com/DOD.html. Contact R. Zeke Fread, Day Of Decision Florida Coordinator/Organizer, by email at zeke@dayofdecision.org.
FL BREAKING NEWS: Gainesville Discriminatory Amendment 1 Fails By 61 - 39 MarginPosted March 25th, 2009 at 04:39am
Advocate
Anti-Dscrimination Repeal Fails in Gainesville
March 24, 2009
Gainesville, Fla.’s Amendment 1 -- which, if passed, would have repealed a number of antidiscrimination protections for LGBT residents in the college town -- failed at the polls Tuesday. With the majority of precincts reporting, results have the amendment failing with 61% voting no and 39% voting yes. The repeal movement began last year after the city commission revised the antidiscrimination law to include protections for transgender people in employment, housing, and public accommodations -- including restrooms. Opponents using scare tactics about mixed-sex public bathrooms gathered enough signatures to place a referendum of the protections on the ballot. Charter Amendment 1 would have eliminated not only transgender protections but also protections for gays and lesbians in the North Florida city. It also would have forbade the city to add protected categories that are not included in the Florida Civil Rights Act, which does not recognize sexual orientation or gender identity. TAKE ACTION: FFA Targets Wrigley, Mars For LOGO Ads, Thank Them TodayPosted March 05th, 2009 at 06:08pm
TAKE ACTION ALERT:
February 5, 2008
Contact
R. Zeke Fread
Director Pride Tampa Bay
Thank Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated for Advertising on LOGO Network
The Florida Family Association, FFA, newest target, in their ongoing efforts to further their anti-gay agenda is the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated. Their most recent Action Alert is to mobilize its members to contact the maker of those famous gums and candy, for advertising on LOGO's Network show "RuPaul’s Drag Race". The company’s response, "which applauded the show included reasons to justify their Eclipse mint advertisements.".
Nancy Slivoski, Manager of Global Consumer Affairs for Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, response to the FFA was, "RuPaul's Drag Race is a popular program this season on the LOGO Network.The Logo Network is a digital cable station that does not require a subscription before any viewer can access it. The program airs Mondays at 10 P.M. ET which lends itself to adult viewers, the same crowd that are potential users of Eclipse mints. Like musical tastes and preferences in art, advertising and it's placement is highly subjective." This didn't please David Caton, so, he issued a take action alert to his members, telling them to contact Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.
I'd ask once again for your support in having our collective voices heard as well. Let us thank Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated for advertising on the Logo Network. We can ill afford to have them cave to pressure from FFA members, and pull their ads, as others have. The Logo Network, as with all other television networks, rely on the continued advertising dollars to remain on the air. The loss from one advertiser may not make or break LOGO, however, a win for the FFA is a loss for our community. To remain silent, will only serve to energize FFA members and their efforts.
Make the call, send that email, fax or letter, have your voice heard today. Please, pass this on to your mailing lists, post on websites and/or social networks.
I sent the following to each of those listed below my email message.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated
I'm pleased to see Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated, is one of the many major companies that advertise on the LOGO Network. I applaud and commend Nancy Slivoski, Manager of Global Consumer Affairs for Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, for standing up to the Florida Family Association, FFA, and not caving into their efforts to convince you into discontinuing advertising on the LOGO Network. The FFA's known for flooding a company with calls, emails, faxes and letters. Their sole purpose being, to forces their own personal beliefs onto companies and dictate to where companies should or shouldn't spend their marketing or advertising dollars. I hope you will continue to stand strong on your decision, continue to advertise Eclipse mints, as well as your other famous gums and candy on the LOGO Network
Please know, that by advertising on the LOGO Network, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated is not simply just making a smart and wise marketing decision. Your also sending a strong message your company supports acceptance and the diversity of all people.
I'd like to express my sincere appreciation, gratitude and thanks to Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Mars, Incorporated, for continuing to support acceptance and the diversity, which are the people who are apart of our great company.
Sincerely
R. Zeke Fread
Director Pride Tampa Bay
The Wrigley Company John Franklin Mars, Chairman Frank.Mars@effem.com John Franklin Mars, Chairman wrigley@wrigley.com William Wrigley, Jr. Chairman Bearden Guilty 2nd Degree Murder of Ryan SkipperPosted February 27th, 2009 at 08:00pm
Bearden Guilty 2nd Degree Murder of Ryan Skipper
Joseph Bearden Guilty of Second Degree Murder of Ryan Skipper and Theft. More to Follow. Bearden's Sentencing will be later today (2/27/09, see Streaming Video Online: http://www.cnn.com/CRIME/">http://www.cnn.com/CRIME He faces life in prison.
Detailed updates will be posted at: http://PrideTB.homestead.com/hate.html.
In Peace Pride & Equality
Zeke
Comprehensive News Coverage of Ryan Keith Skipper Murder TrialPosted February 25th, 2009 at 10:53pm
I've been following the trial of one of Ryan Skipper's accused killers. Closing arguments were completed today, first thing tomorrow, 2/26/09, the Judge will gives jury instructions. After which, they'll begin deliberations. If you haven't had the opportunity to read news articles or view any videos of the trial. I have compiled and been posting daily updates on Pride Tampa Bay's websites. I'll post the verdict as soon as it announced. You can read news articles and/or view videos from a variety of news media sites at: http://PrideTB.homestead.com/hate.html.
Please keep Ryan's parents Pat and Lynn and his brother Damien in your prayers during this most difficult times.
In Peace, Pride & Equality
Zeke
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