You can keep the momentum going to bring Marriage Equality to Florida
We are living in exciting times, full of opportunity and hope. After the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and Prop 8 just weeks ago, we can now easily imagine a day when marriage equality will happen in Florida.
The organization Equal Marriage Florida has emerged as the leader for bringing marriage equality to Florida, and I am honored to be the co-chair along with the distinguished political strategist, Vanessa Brito. Equal Marriage Florida’s purpose is to ensure that ALL Floridians have equal rights under the law; to marry the person they love, while protecting the religious freedoms of churches and religious organizations. We are spearheading the effort to place an initiative on the ballot in 2016 so our community does not have to wait any longer.
As tax-paying citizens, it is unacceptable that Florida maintains discriminatory language that treats gays and lesbians differently. Passed in 2008, the Florida constitution redefined marriage as:
“Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”
Our Amendment simply reforms the language to read:
(a) Only a legal union of two persons shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.
(b) A religious organization, religious association, or religious society shall not be required to solemnize or officiate any particular marriage or religious rite of marriage in violation of its constitutional right to free exercise of religion.
The approved language on the petition appeals to a broad base of voters all of whom are necessary for achieving the 60% threshold to win on Election Day.
I am asking for YOUR supportto fight for the equal recognition of our families in Florida.
Equal Marriage Florida is pursuing marriage equality with the support of individual citizens like YOU throughout the state. With your support and our grassroots approach to citizen ballot initiatives, we will make marriage equality in Florida happen.
The goals for our voter ballot initiative are:
1. One-million signed petitions by June 26, 2014 (Supreme Court decision anniversary).
2. Achieve more than 60% of the vote in the November 2016 Presidential Election
By starting now we can have a sustainable impact of:
Educating citizens about marriage equality and Florida’s Constitutional prohibition,
Building support to overturn Amendment 2 while protecting religious freedom, and
Winning a powerful and decisive majority of votes for Marriage Equality in Florida.
Equal Marriage Florida is a volunteer-based, grassroots organization working exclusively on achieving marriage equality at the ballot box. As a result, its overhead costs are lower and more of your contributions go directly to bringing marriage equality to Florida. By pursuing a ballot initiative, we can bring equality to Florida fast, less expensively and effectively.
Your financial support is critical at this time in our battle for the equal recognition of our families in Florida. It is estimated that the petition campaign alone will require $4 million, most of which will go to professional circulators to ensure we meet the one-million goal by June 26, 2014. Please make a financial contribution to help finance the printing of petitions, the postage for mailing them in, and promotional efforts necessary to achieve our first goal – one million signed petitions.
Add your name to the growing number of powerful leaders supporting Equal Marriage Florida:
Governor Gary Johnson, honorary chairman of Equal Marriage Florida. Johnson served as the 29th Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party, and was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election.
Senator Nan Rich, a Democrat and candidate for Florida Governor: “I will work to pass a new constitutional amendment that will allow Florida to join the rapidly growing ranks of marriage-equality states.”
Javier J. Rodriguez, Florida Chairman of the Republican National Lawyers Association “I am proud to support Equal Marriage Florida, and I will do my best to convince other conservatives to do the same.”
Professional Basketball star Tim Hardaway, First person to sign our petition “If you’re married you’re married. You should see your significant other in the hospital; make choices for your significant other if you need to make those choices.”
Numerous community & political leaders such as DEC chapter presidents, GOP College Republicans, African-American clergy, to name a few. The growth of bipartisan support is increasing for this work and a partial listing is available on the website.
If you prefer to mail-in your contribution, please contact me.Youcan keep the momentum going by making an investment in the Equal Marriage Florida campaign today. It is the right thing to do, and it is the right time to do it!
Sincerely Yours, Ted Howard, Co-Chair
P. S. – The voters of Florida can begin working today to put this initiative on the ballot in 2016. While garnering support from Republicans, Independents and Democrats, the 2016 presidential election will also turn out the very people who are most supportive of marriage equality – moderate men, women and youth.
By using superior ballot language that will attract these more supportive voters, combined with the positive shift in public opinion already happening, this campaign becomes something we MUST do. Other states, such as Oregon, are now taking this exact same approach. Get involved by downloading and signing the petition and making copies so your friends and family can sign it, too.
Share our video on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all other social media sites you use. Make a donation knowing every dollar is going to the most effective and the fastest way to enact marriage equality in Florida. On behalf of all fair-minded Florida families, thank you for taking action today!
Pol. adv. paid for and approved by Equal Marriage Florida,
15820 Palmetto Club Drive, Miami, FL 33157
What a Mess in Russia
When Russian President Putin declared war on his LGBT community, we bet he had no idea what would come next. The world is reacting with outrage, as we all should. At a seminar many years ago the speaker was talking about why you should not tell anti Gay jokes. It went like this. The books say that 10% of the world is LGBT. Lets not argue the number and agree with 5% are LGBT. Would you agree every LGBT person has a Mom & Dad? OK that’s 10% of the population. They also have one brother or sister. OK that’s 5%. They have on set of grandparents. OK that’s 10%. They have one married Uncle or Aunt. OK that’s 10%. They have 2 cousins. OK that’s 10%. Would you agree that they have at least 2 friends. OK that’s10% So if you tell a anti Gay joke, you run a 60% chance of offending the person you are telling the joke to. In Russia President Putin has offend at least 60% of the people.
Below is an interesting article in “Russia Beyond the Headlines”
Back to hostility: the roots of Russia’s anti-gay attitudes
New artists handcrafted leather, beaded and stainless steel necklaces, chokers and bracelet jewelry have just arrived. Great for leisure, hanging out or for wearing in semi business occasions.
The new HRC accent shirts and caps are a big hit and help the Human Rights Campaign.
Summer Wine Sections from the Ybor City Wine Bar
Summer is the time for lighter clothing, lighter colors and above all lighter pallets when it comes to choosing wines. Summer wine selections should be lighter, brighter, crisper and cleaner. They should be a refreshing with a balanced mix of fruit and flavor with softer acids and tannins.
Two such summer wines that are trending hot right now are from the famous Chateau Julien in Carmel Valley California. One is a unique white blend called “French Kiss” and the other is a soft red blend know as “Royalty Red’. Both wines are beautiful in their own regard.
“French Kiss” is a blend of two exquisite grapes Viognier, and Chenin Blanc perfectly matched. This light crisp white wine is perfect for summer afternoons pool side or having lunch by the beach. It pairs well with fruits, salads, and seafood. Serve it chilled and just enjoy.
The “Royalty Red” wine is a lighter blend of red grapes that is fruit forward with hints of raspberry and plum with subtle oak. This wine pairs well with lighter meats such as chicken and pork as well as heartier fish like salmon.
Samples of both wines can be found at the Ybor City Wine Bar anytime. The wines sell for only $30 each and are meant to be enjoyed and experienced through out the rest of the summer.
