Not just a name on a list »
Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a solemn day where our community comes together to remember and honor those lost to anti-transgender hate and violence. The list is horrifically long this year, with 16 new names added to the list.
One of those names, however, hits me especially hard- Simmie Williams Jr. Simmie was a 17 year-old kid who was shot and killed in Fort Lauderdale. The murderers have still not been caught.
Our community in South Florida has done its best to rally around Simmie’s family- holding vigils, raising money, and keeping pressure on the police to find the killers. Through this process, my husband and I have gotten to know Simmie’s mother- a woman who has turned unspeakable tragedy into a call to action.
She is my hero.
One Man, One Clear Message »
A special thanks to reader Betty who sent us this story from our friends over at Towleroad.
While hundreds, sometimes thousands, were gathering across Florida and the nation, one solitary man showed up for the National Day of Protest in Fort Myers, Florida. Jack became a protest of one at City Hall on Saturday, choosing to stay and make his voice heard when many others would have left. He wrote to Towleroad:
Not much of a turnout in Ft Myers. I was the only one there at city hall. I did represent though.
Yes you did, Jack. You represented us all. And for that, we thank you!
Fort Lauderdale "Shame on 2" Rally- National Day of Protest 2008 »
Video footage of the Fort Lauderdale “Shame on 2” Rally and March, part of the National Day of Protest, which drew over 1000 peaceful protesters to City Hall. Video by Marc Dickerman.
A special thanks to Bilerico-Florida contributor Bishop SF Mahee, who led the rally, and to all the organizations who supported the event!
More video after the jump!
Continue reading “Fort Lauderdale “Shame on 2” Rally- National Day of Protest 2008” »
Hundreds Rally in Detroit for National Day of Protest »
What do we want? EQUALITY! When do we want it? NOW!
That was the chant that rang out through downtown Detroit, Michigan today as over 300 hundred dedicated protesters rallied in the freezing rain and sleet as part of the National Day of Protest. That was also the chant coming from my husband and me, who are in town for family matters. It was hundreds of cold, wet Michiganders (and two very cold Floridians), marching in unity and solidarity with the hundreds of thousands across the country demanding equal rights and bringing visibility to our communities issues.
While I have been very busy helping plan and organize protests in Florida for the National Day of Protest (which initial reports from Fort Lauderdale say over 1000 people marched through downtown and many more in the over 15 cities holding protests), it was amazing to be in a new town, with other members of community, sharing a common goal and common fight. It was a quick way to make hundreds of new, amazing friends!
There are lots of pictures (click to enlarge), and perhaps the best story and reason as to why we were marching, after the jump…
Continue reading “Hundreds Rally in Detroit for National Day of Protest” »
Hundreds Rally in Detroit for National Day of Protest »
What do we want? EQUALITY! When do we want it? NOW!
That was the chant that rang out through downtown Detroit, Michigan today as over 300 hundred dedicated protesters rallied in the freezing rain and sleet as part of the National Day of Protest. That was also the chant coming from my husband and me, who are in town for family matters. It was hundreds of cold, wet Michiganders (and two very cold Floridians), marching in unity and solidarity with the hundreds of thousands across the country demanding equal rights and bringing visibility to our communities issues.
While I have been very busy helping plan and organize protests in Florida for the National Day of Protest (which initial reports from Fort Lauderdale say over 1000 people marched through downtown and many more in the over 15 cities holding protests), it was amazing to be in a new town, with other members of community, sharing a common goal and common fight. It was a quick way to make hundreds of new, amazing friends!
There are lots of pictures (click to enlarge), and perhaps the best story and reason as to why we were marching, after the jump…
Continue reading “Hundreds Rally in Detroit for National Day of Protest” »
Protests not Convenient? Deal with it. »
I have been amazed at the online and grassroots explosion that the National Day of Protest has spawned. It started with one small blog then took on a life of its own, with hundreds of cities around the country now holding joint protests at their City Hall on Saturday, November 15th.
It makes this young(ish) activist’s heart soar to see people, especially young people and student groups, taking the initiative and staging massive protests. Facebook groups are popping up everywhere, blogs and listserves are buzzing, and our community is mobilizing.
But what has surprised me is the number of grumblers I have heard- whether it be state and national groups or individuals. Many are mad that they weren’t consulted or indignant that these protest weren’t cleared with them. My answer to them?
Deal with it.
Amendment 2: Theocracy Reigns in Florida »
While much has been made of minority groups and their votes for anti-gay amendments, like Florida’s Amendment 2, 
there is something we are missing as a community. It isn’t a racial issue- it is a religious one.
Exit polling from CNN on Florida’s Amendment 2 shows the true culprit of hate and bigotry are those who belong to certain religions, regardless of race. Protestants and Catholics overwhelmingly supported Amendment 2, while Jewish, Unitarian, and other progressive religious voters overwhelmingly opposed it, as did those with no religious affiliation.
The statistics after the jump…
Continue reading “Amendment 2: Theocracy Reigns in Florida” »
National Day of Protest- Nov 15th »
Everyone has been asking what they can do in response to California’s Prop 8, Florida’s Amendment 2, Arizona’s 102, and the other setbacks in Equality for our community.
Well, someone has answered that question.
Join the Impact has started a movement for a National Day of Protest on November 15th, 2008:
On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST /1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out.
No protest close to you? Start one.
National Day of Protest comes to Florida »
veryone has been asking what they can do in response to Amendment 2, California Prop 8, and Arizona 102. Well, someone has answered that question.
Join the Impact has started a movement for a National Day of Protest on November 15th, 2008:
On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST /1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out.
The website has four locations in Florida listed (Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando), but are asking for anyone to contact them to arrange one in their area. California had been protesting nonstop since their constitutional amendment passed, making huge national headlines. Now we can all step up and do the same in our own state.
Visit www.jointheimpact.com for more information. Feel free to use the comments section here or send me information to post about protests you are organizing in your area. Protest information for Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami after the jump…
Duanna Johnson found Murdered in Memphis »
Reports are coming out of Memphis, Tennessee that Duanna Johnson was found shot to death yesterday.
Our readers may remember Duanna Johnson’s story- she was the black trasnwoman who was severely beaten by police in a police station while everyone, even a nurse, looked on. Johnson said former Memphis Police Officer Bridges McRae beat her after making derogatory remarks about her (calling her “faggot” and “he/she”). Another man, Officer J. Swain, held her down during the beating. Both officers were later fired from the department. Johnson was suing the city for $1.3 million in damages.
More after the jump…
Continue reading “Duanna Johnson found Murdered in Memphis” »
The Fight in Florida: Where do we go from here? »
There is doubt about it- Nov 4th was a bittersweet and historic day.
Barack Obama shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the first African-American elected to the office of the Presidency. But for many in the LGBT community, it was also a day of tremendous setbacks and the installation of a new and more confining ceiling of bigotry.
Anti-gay amendments and propositions passed in numerous states- including here in Florida, where Amendment 2 (the so-called “Marriage Protection” Amendment) passed with a supermajority of 62%. So that leaves many of us here in Florida wondering:
Where do we go from here?
Continue reading “The Fight in Florida: Where do we go from here?” »
Hate and Bigotry Pass in Florida »
Florida’s Amendment 2, the dangerous and deceptive “Marriage Protection” Amendment, has passed. A supermajority of Floridians, 62% (4,662,558) versus just 38% (2,851,598), has decided that our state needs to enshrine hate, bigotry, and homophobia in our state constitution.
And my heart breaks. I woke up today in Florida with fewer rights than I went to bed with.
Even more frightening is the vague wording of the Amendment that has passed- the words “substantial equivalent thereof”- which many fear will be used by the intolerant, hate-filled right to strip away the most basic protections of the LGBT community (and all unmarried Floridians), like hospital visitation, healthcare, and domestic partnerships.
But Amendment 2 is not the only act of bigotry Florida showed last night…
Local LGBT Victories in Florida »
Although we may have lost Amendment 2, our community did elect some strong leaders on a local level!
- Kevin Beckner won a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission in Florida, unseating anti-gay incumbent Brian Blair and becoming the first openly LGBT candidate elected in the county.
In Wilton Manors, FL (a city in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area), it was a gay sweep! Three openly gay candidates were elected:
- Gary Resnick- Mayor
- Justin Flippen- City Commissioner
- Tom Green- City Commissioner
Election Day is Here! »
Today is the the day. Today we change the world.
We won’t be posting today until the first polls close at 6pm EST. Instead, our contributors will be out working to elect their candidate of choice or defeat Amendment 2. Consider this an open thread to discuss events that happen while we’re out. If you’re out and about today, keep BP-FL in mind. Send me an e-mail if you have problems voting, snap any good pictures, want to send any tips or report any polling place preliminary results.
FL Amendment 2 Video and How to Help Online! »
Here’s a great video from the folks over at Common Sense Policy that explains exactly how dangerous Florida’s Amendment 2 is. It’s an easy to understand video that really breaks it down as voters continue to go to the polls in Florida.
Check here for more Amendment 2 videos.
Want some ways you can help get out the vote online? Check after the jump!
Continue reading “FL Amendment 2 Video and How to Help Online!” »