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Incumbents hard to beat

Hey Faithful Equality Florida Blog Readers!

From the advocate.com:

Tonight our executive director, Nadine Smith, and deputy director, Stratton Pollitzer, attended the President's reception at the White House in honor of Pride Month. During his address President Barack Obama reinforced his commitment to ending DOMA (the defense of marriage act) and DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) and passing a fully-inclusive ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).

RELEASE: Alex Sink Recognizes LGBT Pride Month Tampa, FL - Florida CFO and Gubernatorial Candidate Alex Sink issued the following statement recognizing LGBT Pride Month: "As Floridians recognize LGBT Pride Month, it is a reminder that every citizen of our state has a role to play in building a stronger Florida. Each and every Floridian has a stake in a better and more prosperous future for our state. It is also a reminder that all Floridians must be treated equally, with dignity and respect, and that our state will not tolerate discrimination of any kind."

Nadine Smith and I are attending a reception Tuesday evening at the White House in honor of LGBT Pride month. We'll probably only get a moment with the President - what do you think we should ask him? Click here to let us know:

Just hours ago, the Hillsborough County School Board voted unanimously to add gender identity to the Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Policy for Hillsborough County Public Schools. The Hillsborough policy already included Sexual orientation protections and today's amendment now provides gender identity protections for the 207,549 students who make up the 3rd largest school district in Florida. Currently 64% of Florida students attend schools that ban anti-gay bullying and more than half of those districts have now added "gender identity" to their policies.

Crist is loving his new found freedom as an no party affiliated candidate. 

By John D. Podesta and Robert A. LevyTuesday, June 8, 2010Nearly a century after the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that "marriage is one of the 'basic civil rights of man.' " That 1967 case, Loving v. Virginia, ended bans on interracial marriage in the 16 states that still had such laws. Now, 43 years after Loving, the courts are once again grappling with denial of equal marriage rights -- this time to gay couples. We believe that a society respectful of individual liberty must end this unequal treatment under the law.

It has just been reported that Governor Crist has vetoed HB 1143, the bill that would have mandated ultrasounds for women seeking abortions. 

If you're in Tampa Bay next Friday and Saturday please join us for two important events hosted by Equality Florida & the ACLU We're also looking for a handful of enthusiastic volunteers who can help us ensure these events are a success. Click here if you're interested in signing up to volunteer.

Earlier this week Equality Florida sent out an e-mail asking our members to contact Governor Crist and ask him to veto HB 1143, the anti-choice bill that was passed the last day of legislative session. We received a lot of feedback about that e-mail, with many people applauding our stance and some asking us what choice issues have to do with LGBT issues. 

Thursday, June 10, 2010 By Sally Kalson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The agency in charge of protecting the nation's blood supply has been following a double standard since 1985.

ACTION ALERT

One more in-depth study to add to the mountain of evidence that Florida's adoption ban is based on nothing more than prejudice. Monday, Jun. 07, 2010 Study: Children of Lesbians May Do Better Than Their Peers

From the Miami Herald:

Despite objections of his lead attorney and his client, McCollum Demanded Hiring of Discredited Rekers

Time Magazine takes a look at Florida's unprecedented Senate race and sees a path to victory for...Kendrick Meek.Interesting analysis.

Speculation has been swirling for the last few weeks about Bud Chiles, the son of the late Lawton Chiles, jumping into the governor's race. It was thought if he did, he would jump into the Democratic race against Alex Sink.