For Immediate Release: Miami-Dade 4th County, 22nd City, To Offer DP Benefits

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, (May 20, 2008)

Contact:

Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director, (954) 682-6094

Tobias Packer, Local Policy Coordinator, (305) 924-1899 

Miami-Dade Becomes 4th Florida County, 22nd Municipality to

Offer Domestic Partner Benefits

 

 

(MIAMI) Today, Equality Florida applauded the Miami-Dade County Commission's passage of the Domestic Partners and Family Health Coverage Ordinance. With today's passage, Miami-Dade becomes the 4^th and largest county in Florida to provide Domestic Partner benefits to employees and residents.

 

" This is a huge victory for our city and these protections will help thousands of families to better care for one another," said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director for Equality Florida. "Even as we celebrate today's decision, we must go to work to protect these hard-won benefits by defeating Amendment #2 on the November 4^th ballot."

 

Other states have used these so-called "marriage protection" amendments to strip Domestic Partner benefits from all unmarried couples, gay and straight.

This past month, Michigan's Supreme Court used their so-called "marriage protection" amendment to strike down domestic partner protections across the state, and evidence has emerged that proponents of Amendment #2 are getting ready to do the same here in Florida.

 

One of Amendment #2's major backers, David Caton, was recently discovered gathering data on Tampa's Domestic Partnership policy.  He had to admit to reporters that he was doing this to prepare for his group's attack on Tampa's Domestic Partnership plan that currently provides health benefits to Tampa's police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees.

 

"Amendment #2 supporters can no longer deny that their goal is to repeal vital domestic partner protections like those passed today in Miami-Dade," said Pollitzer.

 

The new Miami-Dade ordinance provides health insurance and sick leave benefits to county employees and creates a Domestic Partner Registry which will provide registered couples basic benefits like the right to visit their partner in the hospital. Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties also provide Domestic Partner benefits.

Over the past year, Equality Florida has worked with dozens of organizations to secure protections for all families. Our coalition partners include: Save Dade, Unity Coalition, the Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Pridelines, Safe Schools South Florida, SEIU, the Human Services Coalition, Care Resource, Aqua Foundation, and many other organizations and individuals.  Equality Florida members sent 7,700 Miami Dade commissioners in advance of todays vote.

 

Equality Florida is Florida's only statewide human rights organization dedicated to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Through education and advocacy, the organization is committed to building a state of equal rights for all Floridians, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

 

-30-

 

Stratton Pollitzer

Deputy Director

Equality Florida

954-682-6094 cell

stratton@eqfl.org

They Can't Deny It Any More

Despite what they say publicly, those backing Amendment 2 know
it will take away essential health benefits from unmarried
Floridians. In fact they are alrea

Not only did the Michigan Supreme Court just this week use the
so-called "marriage protection" amendment to strike down
domestic partner protections across the state (click here for
the story:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/525260.html), we
have seen proponents of Florida's amendment get ready to do the
same thing here.

One of Amendment 2's major backers, David Caton, was discovered
gathering data on Tampa's Domestic Partnership policy. He had to
admit to reporters that he was doing this to prepare for his
group's attack on Tampa's Domestic Partnership plan that
currently provides health benefits to Tampa's police officers,
firefighters and other municipal employees.

Don't let this happen in Florida! We can defeat this
mean-spirited Amendment.

Please donate today to put Fairness Coalition organizers on the
ground in four more cities.
https://secure.ga3.org/01/ballotinitiativec4

We need 400 people to make contributions $25 or more to help
the Fairness for All Families Campaign raise $10,000 to expand
our grassroots organizing in Northern and Central Florida.

The more people know the truth about the real harm this
amendment causes, the more they oppose it.

Please make a contribution today.
https://secure.ga3.org/01/ballotinitiativec4

Sincerely,
Barbara DeVane, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
Co-Chair Fairness for All Families

Nadine Smith, Equality Florida
Co-Chair Fairness for All Families

P.S. Check out our revamped website: www.VoteNoOn2.com .

Fairness for All Families is a growing coalition of more than
200 local, state and national organizations that includes
seniors, faith, business leaders, consumer groups and social
justice organizations all joining together to oppose a
constitutional amendment slated for the 2008 ballot that would
strip away existing employee benefits while barring the passage
of future measures to help Florida families. Visit our website
today: www.VoteNoOn2.com .
--------------------------------------------------

This message was sent to sue@eqfl.org. To modify your email
communication preferences or update your personal profile, visit
your subscription management page at:

http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/smp.tcl?nkey=inbbiee4976mdmdn&

To stop receiving Fairness for ALL Families Monthly Updates,
unsubscribe using the following link:

http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/remove-domain-direct.tcl?ctx=subscription&nkey=inbbiee4976mdmdn&

To stop ALL email from Our Center, reply via email with "remove
or unsubscribe" in the subject line or use the following link:

http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/remove-domain-direct.tcl?ctx=center&nkey=inbbiee4976mdmdn&

******************************
This email is Powered by Convio, Inc.

http://www.convio.com

******************************

Daytona Pride festival - A blog from David Perreault

Volusia County


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