Legislation Introduced, Withdrawn on Gay Adoption in Florida; Subject Debated for First Time in 33 Years

Florida's legislature brought up the subject of gay adoption for the first time in 33 years as two lawmakers, Charlie Justice in the Senate, and Scott Randolph in the House, introduced amendments that would have prohibited discrimination in that area.

Think Progress reports: "Rep. Scott Randolph’s measure, which amended a bill about gun ownership and adoptions, would have prevented “adoption agencies from inquiring about a person’s sexual orientation as a requisite for adoption.” Randolph was forced to withdraw his amendment after the Speaker ruled that it was not germane to the bill. Sen. Charlie Justice also withdrew his bill in the Senate. 'This amendment points out that government should not ask irrelevant questions in the adoption process which tell us nothing about a person’s ability to provide a permanent and loving home. Rather, it’s lawful and responsible gun ownership or a person’s sexual orientation,' Randolph announced on the House floor."

The Palm Beach Post reports that Justice's amendment was withdrawn as well. Said Sen Nan Rich: “I know this amendment is not going to pass today and that Florida’s discriminatory adoption ban will not fall today. It’s been four year since there’s been any debate on this issue in any official Senate proceeding in any Senate committee and it’s been 33 years since this issue has been debated on the floor of this chamber. It’s about time we did something about that.”

Watch as Randolph's amendment is introduced, AFTER THE JUMP...

Pink Hoax Flyers Advertise Florida Mayoral Hopeful's 'Gay Agenda'

Gainesville, Florida mayoral Candidate Craig Lowe is the target of a set of hoax flyers that were circulated last week touting his "gay agenda", the Gainesville Sun reports:

"The pink fliers sarcastically suggest Lowe, who is openly gay, will work to get: 'Gays in Women’s Restrooms,' 'Gay Marriage,' 'Gay Public Sex Education,' 'Gay Oriented Churches,' 'Gay Communities,' 'Gay Civil Rights' and 'Gay Parades.' “Please help to make this town more like San Francisco, CA,” the flier reads. “Don’t let Traditional Value Activists use scare tactics against you!” Lowe, a city commissioner, said in an interview that he was told the fliers had been put on cars at a Baptist church Sunday and some had been placed on cars along Main Street. It was not clear who was distributing them."

A good guess would be the 'Citizens for Good Public Policy', who were behind last year's fear-mongering ad (which failed) designed to scare voters from an LGBT anti-discrimination measure by saying that transgender predators would be using bathrooms at a child's playground. The anti-gays in Gainesville have a vivid and frightening imagination.

(via the victory fund)

CNN to Air Documentary on Transition of Susan Stanton

Folks who have been reading this site for a while may recall the story of Largo, Florida City Manager Steve Stanton, who was fired in March 2007 after disclosing that he was in the process of making a gender identity transition.

In particular you may remember a contentious hearing at which Stanton and his team testified for more than two hours before the City Commission and at which Equality Florida executive director Nadine Smith was arrested for handing out flyers that said, "Don't Discriminate".

Stanton himself spoke for 30 minutes, saying "I'm asking you to realize I'm still the same person today that I was four weeks ago. I'm asking you to judge me on my qualifications and performance and the fact that this organization is the best-run organization in Pinellas County." Neither Stanton's testimony or that of approximately 100 others who came to testify could save Stanton's job. The commission voted to uphold their (5-2) decision to fire him.

CNN is airing Her Name Was Steven, a documentary about Stanton's transition, this Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm. 

Watch the trailer, AFTER THE JUMP...

Kissimmee, Florida Votes to Offer Benefits to Domestic Partners

The Kissimmee City Commission voted 4-1 last night to extend domestic partner benefits to city employees, Equality Florida Field Director Joseph Saunders reports:

 "I am so proud of Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, who led this effort. Mallory Wells, our Public Policy Director and I have worked side-by-side with Commissioner Grieb for months and she has never backed down from pursuing what is right. Even when anti-gay forces threatened to protest, Commissioner Grieb wouldn't be bullied. With her guidance and leadership we began the slow and tedious task of drumming up support on the commission and in the community...My partner Donald was born and raised in rural Osceola County and has been a part of the fabric of Kissimmee for much of his professional life. His personal stories and the political history of Kissimmee let me know right away this would be a tough fight. But it is in the unlikely places that winning can mean so much more. Tonight, we celebrate Commissioner Cheryl Grieb as a champion. Tonight, she did what many thought was impossible. Kissimmee has now set a very high bar for community organizers and elected officials across the state. If you've ever thought, "We can never do that here," Kissimmee is here to say - Yes you can!"

Kissimmee is a city of approximately 60,000 in central Florida.

Florida Bill Seeks To Deny Tax Breaks To Films With Gays

Really? Not only is this an incredibly homophobic bill but Florida would lose out on the much-needed money these productions bring to the state:

"... a new bill that increases tax incentives to lure television and movie production to Florida would deny those tax breaks to films that feature gay characters. And unlike the ultraconservative Republican politician in The Birdcage, it doesn't seem the bill's sponsor, Rep. Stephen Precourt, will have a change of heart anytime soon.

Current laws prevent tax breaks for films that feature smoking, sex, nudity, or profane language. The proposed changes make Florida guidelines seem even more like the Hays Code that censored Hollywood from the the '30s to the '60s. Thankfully, Precourt hasn't borrowed more ideas from that censorship office and written in language that would also disallow interracial relationships, suggestive dancing, and 'lustful kisses.'"

Florida Appeals Adoption Ruling Awarding Custody to Lesbian

The State of Florida is appealing a ruling by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia allowing lesbian Vanessa Alenier and her partner to adopt one of Alenier's infant relatives the couple was caring for, the Miami Herald reports:

"Joe Follick, a spokesman for the Department of Children & Families, said his agency appealed the decision last month by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia to approve Vanessa Alenier's adoption of a relative taken into foster care shortly after his birth. 'Until there is a unified appellate court decision on this issue, we are bound by Florida statute to defend and adhere to the law,' Follick said. An earlier adoption by a gay father from North Miami is pending before the Third District of Appeal in Miami. A decision is expected soon. Alenier's attorney, Alan Mishael, who has handled two of the state's three successful adoptions by gay people, blasted the state for fighting the adoption. 'Instead of leaving this family alone, DCF wants to break it up and is spending taxpayer dollars trying to do so,' Mishael said."

Two judges, one in Miami, and another in Monroe County, have already declared the ban unconstitutional. Anti-gay groups are battling those decisions.

You may have missed...
Crist on Lifting Gay Adoption Ban: 'I'd Have to Think About It' [tr]
Judge Who Struck Down Florida's Gay Adoption Ban Stripped of Post [tr]
Activists Demand Gay Adoption, End to Discrimination in Florida [tr]
Florida Lawmaker Files Bill to Repeal State's Gay Adoption Ban [tr]