My First Experience as a Volunteer at a Gay Pride Festival, by Lee Brockman

I'm a 76 year old woman who happens to be heterosexual, and I have a handsome, talented, charismatic, and loving twenty-two year old grandson who happens to be gay. So when someone from Fairness for All Families phoned to see if I would help man the booth at the Sarasota Gay Pride Fest, I went. And I want to tell you that I had a fabulous time! I was there for nearly four hours, and my job, as I understood it, was to make sure that everyone at the Festival understood how the so-called "Marriage Amendment" would affect them. I decided to stand in the aisle in front of the booth, instead of sitting behind our table. This way I could get up close and personal in order to speak directly to individuals who came our way. (There was a noise factor, with hundreds of people crowding the large room where the booths were set up.) My question to each person was "Are you familiar with the proposed Marriage Amendment?" Usually the answer was, "Not really!" Then I'd hand them one of our fliers with the exact wording of the amendment. They'd read it and register shock. (Because it is shocking!) And I'd then "suggest" that they might want to vote NO on number two in November. "Good suggestion!" they'd say, and they'd be grateful for the information I'd given them.

What a "high" you can get when you've spent some time helping others! Put me down for next year! I'll be there if you need me!

A Blog from David P in Sarasota!

This past Saturday I spent the day as a volunteer at the Equality Booth for Sarasota Pride. Educating people on the #2 Amendment and what the consequences would be if passed. It was exciting and made me realize how many in our very own community don't understand and some weren't even aware of the amendment. We had hundreds of Vote No on #2 Amendment pins and could have used more. Met lots of great people.Very successful Pride event.


It's was very rewarding for me to be there and do my part.

David G Phillips
Sarasota, Florida

Group Targets Domestic Partnership Protections

Group Targets Domestic Partnership Protections By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune Published: April 9, 2008 TAMPA - A group that bills itself as trying to "improve and protect our moral environment" is taking aim at the city's policy extending benefits to domestic partners. David Caton, executive director of Florida Family Association, said he and some sister organizations are looking for a domestic partnership benefit program to challenge, either politically or legally. He wouldn't name the other organizations or governments whose policies the group is reviewing. The group has been peppering the city of Tampa with public records requests about the domestic partnership policy. Caton says domestic partnership benefits violate the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits same-sex marriage. "We're looking at the total cost to the actual taxpayers," Caton said. "We want to challenge the one that costs taxpayers the most and is most violative of the Defense of Marriage Act." In 2004, Mayor Pam Iorio signed an executive order that extends city insurance benefits to the domestic partners of city employees. Applicants must show they have lived with their partners for more than six months and intend to remain partners. The policy went into effect Jan. 1, 2005. Homosexual and heterosexual couples are eligible for the benefits. The city has 63 employees signed up for domestic partner benefits, but pays additional costs for only 27 of them, amounting to just more than $70,000 a year. Caton said he might file a challenge in court, though he hasn't ruled out taking the issue to the city council. "Now's the time to challenge that budget item," Caton said. On Tuesday, Iorio said she stands by the program and is certain it will withstand any challenges. "It's always been an issue of fairness," Iorio said. "Not everyone is married, yet the world is changing and people have different partnerships." Nadine Smith, director of Equality Florida, said she worries about the erosion of domestic partner benefits programs. "It's sadly predictable that they're willing to invest time, energy and money in taking benefits away from families," Smith said. "It is the hidden agenda of Amendment 2." Amendment 2, which goes to voters in November, would ban gay marriage in Florida. Information from Tribune archives was used in this story. Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

Daytona Pride - David Perreault's blog from Daytona

Volusia County
Daytona Pride festival

On April 13th and under threatening skies, Daytona Pridefest took off with enthusiasm. Vendors from around Volusia County set up in a square surrounding the performance stage.

For the fist time we were joined by Embry Riddle University G.S.A (gay straight alliance). and the Deland High school G.S.A. The Deland crew did face painting and took a brave step to be out and proud. They set a standard for all high schools to stand up and embrace diversity. With the help of the Pride fest Committee, the Embry Riddle booth was set up next to them. Friendships were forged, and those high school students now know that as they graduate they can continue on to Universities with the support of G.S.A. clubs and moreover, know that they are not alone.

Three years ago I volunteered for Equality Florida with nothing but old beach umbrella and a folding chair. We set out on foot into the crowd with clip boards to gather signatures to defeat the so called “Marriage Protection Act” . Very few of the hundreds in attendance had ever heard of Equality Florida or the looming threat to their civil rights.

Now three years later, the tide is turning. It was remarkable to see everyone collecting signatures to pledge a vote of NO on #2 . Clip boards were filled with names and buttons and pamphlets were distributed by: Equality Florida/ Fairness for All Families, the A.C.L.U. , Florida Red & Blue and Embry Riddle G.S.A.

As the afternoon sun found its way though the clouds, we watched the University and High school G.S.A’s. playing tackle Frisbee in the grass of the quad. It would seem to be such a simple thing. But they send a message of inspiration. They are a generation of change.

David P. Perreault
Volusia County Facilitator, Equality Florida