Human Rights Campaign Applauds Vote to Uphold Non-Discrimination Laws in Gainesville, Florida

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Gainesville Voters Defeated Ballot Measure Seeking to Repeal Protections for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender People

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following release regarding voting in a city election in Gainesville, Florida today, where voters rejected a proposed amendment to the city charter that would have repealed existing laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Amendment 1, which would have repealed ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, was defeated 58 percent to 42 percent.

“This is an important victory for equality, for the proposition that people deserve to be judged based on their merits, and should not face discrimination simply because of who they are,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Gainesville voters saw past the deception and scare tactics used by proponents of Amendment 1 and made clear that Gainesville rejects discrimination against any of its residents, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”

Solmonese continued: “Congratulations to Commissioner Craig Lowe, Equality is Gainesville’s Business, Equality Florida, the ACLU, as well as Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, and the rest of the city commission, and the many activists, including HRC members, who worked so hard to protect equality for everyone in Gainesville.”



Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan added: “As Mayor, I am extremely pleased that Gainesville voters chose to reaffirm that discrimination has no place in our city. Many thanks to Equality is Gainesville’s Business and the hundreds of tireless volunteers who represented the true values of Gainesville. These volunteers demonstrated the diversity and expertise within our community, representing such groups as the NAACP of Alachua County, the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Florida, the University of Florida Student Senate and others.”

The Human Rights Campaign has had a field director on the ground in Gainesville for more than a month working with Equality is Gainesville’s Business (a group formed to oppose Amendment 1), Equality Florida, HRC members and other activists to organize opposition to Amendment 1. A field organizer was sent to Gainesville to assist for the past two weeks. Their work included organizing door to door canvassing and phone banks to voters.

Gainesville ordinances have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1998. Discrimination based on gender identity has been prohibited since January 2008. A petition drive last year placed Amendment 1 on the ballot in today’s city election.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Sen. Frank Calls Justice Scalia a Homophobe

In an interview with 365gay.com Sen. Barney Frank talks about what he believes the LGBT community can get done in the next two years. He also take a shot at Supreme Court Justice Scalia and calls him a Homophobe.

Human Rights Campaign Applauds Vermont State Senate for Passing Marriage Bill

 

26-4 Vote Sends Measure to House; Bill Would Allow Gay and Lesbian Couples to Marry Under Vermont Law

 

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, applauded the Vermont State Senate for its bipartisan 26-4 vote in support of S. 115, a bill that would recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law.  The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives.

 

“We encourage the House to expeditiously pass this bill and the Governor to sign it into law, giving all committed couples in Vermont the basic respect and dignity they deserve,”  said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “We congratulate Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, Senator John Campbell, Senator Claire Ayer, the 23 other Senators who voted yes, and the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, on this strong statement of support for equality.”

 

Two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, currently permit gay and lesbian couples to marry under state law.  New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples legally married outside of the state. Vermont was the first state to recognize civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, in 2000.   If S. 115 is enacted into law, Vermont would become the first state to adopt marriage equality legislatively.  (California’s legislature has twice passed bills that would have permitted gay and lesbian couples to marry, but each bill was vetoed).

 

In addition to Vermont,  seven states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition, short of marriage, for gay and lesbian couples.  Four other states—California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oregon—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. 

 

Maine, Washington and Hawaii provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples. 

 

Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.  To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.

Milk Has Two Big Oscar Wins

'Milk' won two Oscars last night - Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor. Both were such important wins for the gay community. To have this film be awarded in this way will hopefully mean even more people will take the time to see the movie and hear the message. Even if they don't they at least heard the two speeches given. Both winners commented on the LGBT communities struggle for equality. Here are the speeches.

Dustin Lance Black - Best Original Screenplay






Sean Penn - Best Actor