Thursday, March 29, 2007
A closeteer gets a promotion
Remember Brian Walton?
He's the closet case who was spewing homophobia at the Republican National Senatorial Committee.
Brian's got a new gig in town...
So... I decided to call Cindy Roberts. Cindy runs the media operation at the American Family Association. "Cindy, I'm seeking comment from Rev. Wildmon on the fact that a closeted homosexual has infiltrated the Republican National Committee and is now in a Director's position."
Cindy put me on hold to get a comment from Rev. Donald Wildmon himself. After a moment on hold so she could talk to Reverned Wildmom. After a couple of minutes, Cindy came back to say "Reverend Wildmon has told me he really has no comment on that." -- That may be the case, but my goal of making sure Wildmon know about is complete. Mission Accomplished.
Next it was on to Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. Maria Donovan, the press person I spoke to there, told me that Tony would not be able to comment until tomorrow, but that she would "definitely make sure he was aware of this matter." Mission accomplished.
Next up, I'll be mailing out the info to a list of 3,000 conservative media folks that were slipped to me in October by a faithful reader.
He's the closet case who was spewing homophobia at the Republican National Senatorial Committee.Brian's got a new gig in town...
So... I decided to call Cindy Roberts. Cindy runs the media operation at the American Family Association. "Cindy, I'm seeking comment from Rev. Wildmon on the fact that a closeted homosexual has infiltrated the Republican National Committee and is now in a Director's position."
Cindy put me on hold to get a comment from Rev. Donald Wildmon himself. After a moment on hold so she could talk to Reverned Wildmom. After a couple of minutes, Cindy came back to say "Reverend Wildmon has told me he really has no comment on that." -- That may be the case, but my goal of making sure Wildmon know about is complete. Mission Accomplished.
Next it was on to Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. Maria Donovan, the press person I spoke to there, told me that Tony would not be able to comment until tomorrow, but that she would "definitely make sure he was aware of this matter." Mission accomplished.
Next up, I'll be mailing out the info to a list of 3,000 conservative media folks that were slipped to me in October by a faithful reader.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
My Old (self-loathing) Kentucky Homo
Yesterday, I had the pleasure honor of meeting Howie Klein of Down With Tyranny. Howie is a brilliant blogger. When I discovered his site via a recommendation yesterday, my only disappointment was that I didn't know about him earlier. I spent quite a bit of time there last night and I can say I'm hooked.
So imagine my excitement when Howie posted this today:
Progressives will not use McConnell's hyocritical anti-gay stance while he's in the closet against him in attack ads:
By the way Mitch, married men usually refer to their spouse as "wife" or "husband," not "roommate." Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell in the same bed, now THAT is a scary image: "Oh Mitch, fuck me like you fuck over the nation!"
So imagine my excitement when Howie posted this today:
Progressives will not use McConnell's hyocritical anti-gay stance while he's in the closet against him in attack ads:
With Kentuckians growing more and more restless with their senator's role in perpetuating the Bush Regime's pointless 'Stay The Course' agenda in Iraq, Mitch McConnell is facing a tough re-election battle next year. This has been exacerbated as it becomes more and more known that he has been a closeted gay man for decades while pushing an anti-gay agenda. He must be breathing a sign of relief today as the progressive group Americans United for Change has made its plans known that they will be tackling McConnell only on his role in advancing the Bush Regime's war policies.Are the long standing rumors of McConnell's extra-curricular shower activities in the military true? I believe so, and not just because his office refused to provide me with a copy of his discharge records. I wonder what they are trying to hide. Who knows? Well, Mitch does.
By the way Mitch, married men usually refer to their spouse as "wife" or "husband," not "roommate." Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell in the same bed, now THAT is a scary image: "Oh Mitch, fuck me like you fuck over the nation!"
Support Queer Political Bloggers
What do BlogActive and PageOneQ, unabashedly liberal sites, have in common with GOP bloggers like BoiFromTroy and The Malcontent? Gay Politics BlogAds, that's what! Realizing that many folks want to reach the politically aware LGBT set, I created the network at BlogAds to do just that.
I am especially proud of this project because I am focusing on recruiting new blogs to BlogAds. And the network is about a lot more than the usual set of bloggers you see listed around the web. While the list of members includes some of the community's best know blogs (Pam's House Blend and Good As You), I am just as excited that new bloggers are with us.
If you want to find a way to support those of us in the netroots who cover LGBT politics, here's a link to our network.
Are you involved in a group that wants exposure to LGBT political news junkies and our supporter? If so, this is the network for you. With four and a half million page views per month, there's no more effective way to reach the politically aware and involved queer blog readers.
If you haven't seen each of these blogs, I urge you to click here or on the image above to be taken to our network list. I know you'll find something new.... From the right, from the left and from the center these are the blogs I am proud to be affiliated with in the network.
Are you a blogger interested in joining up, check out the guidelines here.
For more info on the network, drop a note to info(at)gaypoliticsblogads.com.
I am especially proud of this project because I am focusing on recruiting new blogs to BlogAds. And the network is about a lot more than the usual set of bloggers you see listed around the web. While the list of members includes some of the community's best know blogs (Pam's House Blend and Good As You), I am just as excited that new bloggers are with us.
If you want to find a way to support those of us in the netroots who cover LGBT politics, here's a link to our network.
Are you involved in a group that wants exposure to LGBT political news junkies and our supporter? If so, this is the network for you. With four and a half million page views per month, there's no more effective way to reach the politically aware and involved queer blog readers.
If you haven't seen each of these blogs, I urge you to click here or on the image above to be taken to our network list. I know you'll find something new.... From the right, from the left and from the center these are the blogs I am proud to be affiliated with in the network.Are you a blogger interested in joining up, check out the guidelines here.
For more info on the network, drop a note to info(at)gaypoliticsblogads.com.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Here comes the hate
I've never made it a secret that I have many questions about hate crimes legislation. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I wonder "is it right to add charges based on what someone is thinking?" On one hand, It could be the start of a slippery slope. On the other hand, hate crimes are committed against more than one person or a group of people; they are meant to put fear in far greater groups of people. In the end, I have decided to come down on the side of supporting the addition of hate crime laws, but for a reason which may surprise you.
Justice.
There is little justice in America for those who bash our brothers and sisters. So, if hate crimes laws help to make sure that those who attack us receive the same sentences (as opposed to greater) as those who attack non-LGBTers, let em rip.
Regardless of what you think... Showing gay men standing naked in front of babies is just one more way the wingnuts needs to manipulate the truth of who we are. As we know, heterosexuals are more likely to abuse kids than gays and lesbians. (While we represent between 5 and 10 percent of the population, we account for just 3% of those who abuse kids sexually.)
Here's the latest from the TVC:
Click image to enlarge.
Justice.
There is little justice in America for those who bash our brothers and sisters. So, if hate crimes laws help to make sure that those who attack us receive the same sentences (as opposed to greater) as those who attack non-LGBTers, let em rip.
Regardless of what you think... Showing gay men standing naked in front of babies is just one more way the wingnuts needs to manipulate the truth of who we are. As we know, heterosexuals are more likely to abuse kids than gays and lesbians. (While we represent between 5 and 10 percent of the population, we account for just 3% of those who abuse kids sexually.)
Here's the latest from the TVC:
Click image to enlarge.Friday, March 23, 2007
The future is in Mississippi and Connecticut....
I am writing this post from a packed auditorium at Central Connecticut State University attending the Our True Colors Conference. The room seats 3,000 and the it's full! Three thousand young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, youth and their supporters are screaming with pride at the opening session. When I came out in 1986, a scene like this was impossible to imagine. I'm here to teach workshops on blogging and the use of 'outing' as a political tool.Meanwhile, down south and further west, Kyle and his band of fellow Equality Riders are laying it all on the line for a better tomorrow. Being arrested for nothing more than wanting to talk.
The comparison is stunning. And, as different as the two experiences is for those in attendance, each point to the future. In Mississippi and Connecticut...and in every state across this nation, our community's young people are saying "enough already." Enough misunderstanding, enough hate, enough discrimination, enough homophobia, enough racism, enough classism.
Young people today are standing up in numbers like never before. And I hear from them about how excited they are to be in an army of young, out, proud activists. And the web is what is making it happen.
How does this affect my continuing work and the work of BlogACTIVE? It energizes me. While self-loathing gays like Andrew Sullivan whine about my work, the next generation of our community embraces this site's work wholeheartedly. I've talked to dozens of people here about the site. With one exception, every person thinks the mission of this site is important. I couldn't resist asking the one detractor his age. Is it a surprise when someone in their fifties opposes my work? More important, do I really care? I've always cared more about tomorrow's generation than today's, so I have to honestly answer, "no."
The amount of pride I have for Kyle, the other Equality Riders and every one of the young people at this conference is indescribable.
Make no mistake about it, we are in a war... Luckily, our side is armed with the best damned young activists on the planet. Despite our losses, many of which are tragic, we will win this war.
I have seen the future. It's in Connecticut and it's in Mississippi. And it looks awesome!
Jailed in Mississippi
Today I spent 7 hours in a jail cell in Clinton , MS for taking 4 steps onto Mississippi College
Just two days ago five Equality Riders were arrested for writing messages of affirmation and love in chalk on the sidewalks of Baylor University. The riders were arrested with a student from Baylor, whose courage I admire and hope to emulate. All took a stand in order to deliver a message to silenced LGBT students at the college. For this they were held 26 hours, forced to sleep on a concrete floor, and given a $2000 fine. The female riders and one transgender rider were forced to strip to be searched. For writing messages of love.
I stood in court less than four hours ago before a judge that talked about teaching children lessons. This was my first time being arrested for social justice, along with one other rider today. However, the other three arrested has all been charged with trespassing for social justice movements. I stood there and faced the greatest fear I have felt on the ride so far. I was terrified that my comrades would be sentenced to jail time while I was only given a fine. Had this happened I would have stood up and demanded that my sentence equal theirs. I could not bear to see my friends go to jail while I went free.
Instead, the two of us with no previous charges were given a $250 fine and 10 days in jail, suspended on the condition of good behavior for two years. The other three riders were given a $250 fine, 20 days of jail suspended on good behavior, and four days of community service, meaning they will miss the next two stops of the Equality Ride.
We now all face the probability of serving hard jail time because we are willing to stand up and not be silenced. I will persevere on. I do not plan on changing my actions because of the threat of jail. If I did that would be letting them win. The message that we carry to these schools is too important for that.
I do ask one favor. Send your prayers, your positive energy, and your good will to all of us on the Equality Ride. We are only just entering the Deep South. The danger we face is real and it is here. We will need all the support we can get.
www.equalityride.com
Just two days ago five Equality Riders were arrested for writing messages of affirmation and love in chalk on the sidewalks of Baylor University. The riders were arrested with a student from Baylor, whose courage I admire and hope to emulate. All took a stand in order to deliver a message to silenced LGBT students at the college. For this they were held 26 hours, forced to sleep on a concrete floor, and given a $2000 fine. The female riders and one transgender rider were forced to strip to be searched. For writing messages of love.
I stood in court less than four hours ago before a judge that talked about teaching children lessons. This was my first time being arrested for social justice, along with one other rider today. However, the other three arrested has all been charged with trespassing for social justice movements. I stood there and faced the greatest fear I have felt on the ride so far. I was terrified that my comrades would be sentenced to jail time while I was only given a fine. Had this happened I would have stood up and demanded that my sentence equal theirs. I could not bear to see my friends go to jail while I went free.
Instead, the two of us with no previous charges were given a $250 fine and 10 days in jail, suspended on the condition of good behavior for two years. The other three riders were given a $250 fine, 20 days of jail suspended on good behavior, and four days of community service, meaning they will miss the next two stops of the Equality Ride.
We now all face the probability of serving hard jail time because we are willing to stand up and not be silenced. I will persevere on. I do not plan on changing my actions because of the threat of jail. If I did that would be letting them win. The message that we carry to these schools is too important for that.
I do ask one favor. Send your prayers, your positive energy, and your good will to all of us on the Equality Ride. We are only just entering the Deep South. The danger we face is real and it is here. We will need all the support we can get.
www.equalityride.com
Monday, March 19, 2007
32 hours... 32 minutes...
It took just 32h and 32m to get back to Washington from Puerto Rico. I can't say the experience was all bad. Looking back, I have to say it was quite fun. At the Charlotte Airport I met some nice people... even got some military guys to think about their views on lifting Don't Ask, Don't Tell... Thank you Jenna (not the President's daughter), the other Jenna (nope, not Bush's daughter either), Lori, Nikita, Jimmy, Chris, Marvin and the rest for turning what could have been a horrible end to a vacation into something else...I'm not sure what...but it wasn't that horrible.
When people get angry at airlines over the weather they are not being rational. When people get angry at airlines over new computer systems on which personnel have not been properly trained is rational.
While I was away, the Sunday talk shows talking heads started to predict who will run for reelection to the House and Senate, a topic on which I've been reaching out to the mainstream media for a few weeks already. Why is it that they have no interest in covering these stories from the perspective of blogACTIVE, save for a few months before Election Day?
When people get angry at airlines over the weather they are not being rational. When people get angry at airlines over new computer systems on which personnel have not been properly trained is rational.
While I was away, the Sunday talk shows talking heads started to predict who will run for reelection to the House and Senate, a topic on which I've been reaching out to the mainstream media for a few weeks already. Why is it that they have no interest in covering these stories from the perspective of blogACTIVE, save for a few months before Election Day?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Well, this is a first....
The Red Cross cot people lost
my order for the pillow top
version with cotton sheets!
my order for the pillow top
version with cotton sheets!
Well, it's not exactly the bed I had hoped for after a week away, but the good news is... the American Red Cross has arrived with cots for those of us stranded in the Charlotte airport due to the east coast weather. A hell of a way to end a vacation in Puerto Rico.
I've had jobs with lots of travel -- during one 12 month period at NGLTF, I traveled over 80,000 miles -- yet I've never had to spend the night in an airport terminal. With every room in the city taken, there's no sense in getting upset over it. People are in good spirits.
Well, most people....
My friends have come up with a new phrase... "Uh, oh, Mike's gonna go blogACTIVE on him..." I do try to resist, but this one guy tonight almost made me lose it. Why do people like to blame airline personnel for the weather? This one guy was practically screaming at a eUSAirways staffer because he could not get from Charlotte to Philadelphia. Did he think she personally arranged to close his destination airport? What a dope. I am a non violent activist, but I have said many times that airline personnel should be authorized to shoot on sight anyone who blames the weather on airlines.
Terminal D. Tonight's home.
Anyway.... I'm back this weekend -- I hope -- and after some R&R will focus a bit more on updating this site.
Enjoy the weekend...I know I'm going to once I get home...If I do.
Monday, March 12, 2007
My apologies
Greetings from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I am on my first vacation in a long time. A quick note... I am very sorry to any of you who caught an ad for an underwear company on this site and PageOneQ.com.
Whever an ad is submitted, I am given three days to approve or reject the ad. Because of my travels, after three days the ads were automatically approved.
I pride myself that both sites are workplace appropriate. If you were offended by the ad, please accept my apologies.
Mike
Whever an ad is submitted, I am given three days to approve or reject the ad. Because of my travels, after three days the ads were automatically approved.
I pride myself that both sites are workplace appropriate. If you were offended by the ad, please accept my apologies.
Mike
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Tales From the Equality Ride: A Day in Sioux Center
This is a post I wrote for the official Equality Ride blog. For more on the Equality Ride please visit www.equalityride.com:
When we woke up Friday, it was absolutely gorgeous outside in Sioux Center, IA. We didn’t have to meet with community members until the afternoon, so the morning was used to recover from exhaustion and catch up on work we all had been falling behind on. Then we headed out to a couple spots where the locals liked to spend their time, hoping to continue conversations with students from Dordt and maybe start some new ones.
The first coffee shop was a chic café that fused local charm with a classy edge. Upon our arrival, some students from Dordt were already gathering and we quickly struck up conversations with them. We broke off into groups, some of us just chatting while others gathered with students to play card and board games.
We spent three hours there and spoke with about thirty students; the conversations ranging from intensely spiritual to casual. There were faces we recognized from the day before, but even more new faces eager for dialogue. There was one theme that ran through all the conversations: student’s hearts and minds had been opened.
After a brief break at the hotel, a few Riders headed out with some Dordt students to the local movie theatre, as it was “get in free night” for Dordt students. It was a great decision (despite us being on the point of collapsing from exhaustion – hey, just another day on the Ride). We continued to talk with students about Dordt’s policy and where to go from here. Students seemed really interested in how to create support for LGBT students so that the effect of the Equality Ride would stay alive after our departure.
One of the best realizations of the night came when we saw “Wild Hogs,” a viciously homophobic, sexist and racist movie. After almost walking out several times, we stayed to talk with students afterward about why the movie was so bad. The amazing part was the students got it. For the first time they saw the negative effects homophobia could have on LGBT people. They even apologized for it. It was pretty incredible.
The best surprise came the next morning when we found two of the students we had spent time with the night before at the hotel to see us off. They had stayed awake all night talking about the Equality Ride and the conversations we had been having and decided last minute to come and say goodbye to us on behalf of Dordt College. I could not have thought of a better thing to wake up to.
One of the students who spent the entire day with us sent us an incredible letter telling of the effects of the Equality Ride’s visit. Here are some excerpts from it:
When we woke up Friday, it was absolutely gorgeous outside in Sioux Center, IA. We didn’t have to meet with community members until the afternoon, so the morning was used to recover from exhaustion and catch up on work we all had been falling behind on. Then we headed out to a couple spots where the locals liked to spend their time, hoping to continue conversations with students from Dordt and maybe start some new ones.
The first coffee shop was a chic café that fused local charm with a classy edge. Upon our arrival, some students from Dordt were already gathering and we quickly struck up conversations with them. We broke off into groups, some of us just chatting while others gathered with students to play card and board games.
We spent three hours there and spoke with about thirty students; the conversations ranging from intensely spiritual to casual. There were faces we recognized from the day before, but even more new faces eager for dialogue. There was one theme that ran through all the conversations: student’s hearts and minds had been opened.After a brief break at the hotel, a few Riders headed out with some Dordt students to the local movie theatre, as it was “get in free night” for Dordt students. It was a great decision (despite us being on the point of collapsing from exhaustion – hey, just another day on the Ride). We continued to talk with students about Dordt’s policy and where to go from here. Students seemed really interested in how to create support for LGBT students so that the effect of the Equality Ride would stay alive after our departure.
One of the best realizations of the night came when we saw “Wild Hogs,” a viciously homophobic, sexist and racist movie. After almost walking out several times, we stayed to talk with students afterward about why the movie was so bad. The amazing part was the students got it. For the first time they saw the negative effects homophobia could have on LGBT people. They even apologized for it. It was pretty incredible.
The best surprise came the next morning when we found two of the students we had spent time with the night before at the hotel to see us off. They had stayed awake all night talking about the Equality Ride and the conversations we had been having and decided last minute to come and say goodbye to us on behalf of Dordt College. I could not have thought of a better thing to wake up to.
One of the students who spent the entire day with us sent us an incredible letter telling of the effects of the Equality Ride’s visit. Here are some excerpts from it:
If someone had told me at the beginning of the week that I would be deliberately making and spending time with LGBT people, I might have told them they were crazy and laughed it off. I admit that I never had any intention of attending any of the presentations or the panel discussion when you guys were here at Dordt. But because one teacher decided that my Sociology class should attend the presentation instead of holding class, my life has been changed, and in an amazing way! My mind and my heart were really truly opened. Never has something really stuck with me this hard or so clear. Everything I experienced in the past couple of days has been so amazing. I met some incredible people and I have come to cherish every second that I spent in their company. God works in mysterious ways. I felt God pulling at my heart and now I understand why….
I want to encourage you in that no matter what happens, you have friends here at Dordt College that are praying for you the whole way on your journey. You are warriors on a new battlefield. You are a few against many. But your strength is with each other and with God and you will shake the foundations of this nation and the church down to its core. For with God on your side, who will be able to stand against you? Whether you reach an entire campus or just one person, you have made an impact and you have initiated change. And that is something that will stick for life like it will with me. These past two days and the friendships I’ve made will stay with me my entire life.
What you are all doing is courageous and brave. You face opposition and adversity and yet you continue on. You are all amazing people. I wish you all safe travels and I will pray for your safety as you will probably face communities that were not as pleasant or “accepting” as what you experienced at Dordt. May God watch over you in everything you do and protect you with his loving hands. And may He work in the hearts of those who so strongly stand against you. I love you all and God Bless!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Equality Ride Sees True Bigotry at First Stop
Today was the first stop of the Equality Ride, a two month cross-country journey of 50 young adults visiting conservative Christian colleges to challenge anti-gay policies. We are in Sioux Center, IA and visited Dordt College which holds the policy that bans homosexual behavior as well as advocacy for LGBT rights.
Here's the scoop. Last night three vehicles circled our hotel agressively. Two of their passengers got out and mooned us (so mature). Nothing too bad right? Well it gets worse....
We woke up this morning to find anti-gay slurs and statements of hate written all over our bus, as well as cardboard signs with messages of hate. Some bigots had decided to deface our bus overnight. On our first night of the Equality Ride. Could it be any more clear why we need to do this?
The Equality Ride's main purpose is to bring a message of inclusion and academic freedom to religious schools that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This is its second year, with twice as many activists visiting twice as many schools (this year we have two buses traveling to the east half and the west half of the country respectivly). We are bringing the message that God does love LGBT people and working relentlessly to end religion-based discrimination.
And boy are we relentless. The stop at Dordt College went well (we were welcomed on campus). However, the next seven campuses we intend to visit have essentially told us we will be arrested when we walk onto campus. In classic civil disobedience fashion we plan to anyways. The students who are dying inside because of the messages of hate these universities spread deserve that much.
I will be posting more tomorrow about our visit to Dordt College and Sioux Center IA, so check back then. Please, if you can, make a donation to the Soulforce Equality Ride. It takes money to end oppression and every little bit helps! Click here to give .
Here's the scoop. Last night three vehicles circled our hotel agressively. Two of their passengers got out and mooned us (so mature). Nothing too bad right? Well it gets worse....
We woke up this morning to find anti-gay slurs and statements of hate written all over our bus, as well as cardboard signs with messages of hate. Some bigots had decided to deface our bus overnight. On our first night of the Equality Ride. Could it be any more clear why we need to do this?The Equality Ride's main purpose is to bring a message of inclusion and academic freedom to religious schools that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This is its second year, with twice as many activists visiting twice as many schools (this year we have two buses traveling to the east half and the west half of the country respectivly). We are bringing the message that God does love LGBT people and working relentlessly to end religion-based discrimination.
And boy are we relentless. The stop at Dordt College went well (we were welcomed on campus). However, the next seven campuses we intend to visit have essentially told us we will be arrested when we walk onto campus. In classic civil disobedience fashion we plan to anyways. The students who are dying inside because of the messages of hate these universities spread deserve that much.I will be posting more tomorrow about our visit to Dordt College and Sioux Center IA, so check back then. Please, if you can, make a donation to the Soulforce Equality Ride. It takes money to end oppression and every little bit helps! Click here to give .
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
You now..
Hey Congressman, It's just a matter of supply and demand...
The Raw Story | Top House Republican says GOP acted like winos: "'For whatever reason, the media seemed to pay a little bit more attention to our folks who were ethically challenged than to their folks that were ethically challenged,' he complained."
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Enough from Ann Coulter already
HRC:
Take action today! Stand up and send a clear message to Ann Coulter, and those who would provide her with a platform, that calling someone a “faggot” is wrong, and we won’t sit by without taking action.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Are you a DC college student and a blogACTIVE fan?
Greetings. If you're a student at American, Georgetown, GW, UDC, Gallaudet, or Georgetown University and you're able to dedicate about 30 minutes to helping me on a short research project, please drop me a note at mrogers(at)blogactive.com.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Largo, FL Shows Its True Colors
Florida is once again showing its immense ability to discriminate. In Largo, FL (located in Hillsborough County, the same county that banned gay pride a year and a half ago) the City Commission fired its city manager of 14 years after Steve Stanton disclosed that he would be undergoing a transition to become a woman later this year.
The City Commission met this past Tuesday night to vote on whether they should fire Stanton or not because of his announcement. The Commission voted 5-2 to fire Stanton after an intense discussion attended by over 400 community members.
Here it is again. Blatant discrimination happening in plain view. Yet still, the public outcry is minimal. Stop and think about what it means that we live in a society where you can be fired simply because of who you are. Stanton's decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery was not based on a choice. She did not simply wake up one morning and decide to change gender like one decides to pierce an ear. The decision was made because she realized she was not happy as a man. The City Commission did make a choice. They made a choice to embrace discrimination and once again demonstrate to the rest of the country how backwards some parts of Florida remain.
Until Stanton is reinstated as City Manager and the City Commission issues a formal apology, the city of Largo has no right to its slogan "City of Progress"
The City Commission met this past Tuesday night to vote on whether they should fire Stanton or not because of his announcement. The Commission voted 5-2 to fire Stanton after an intense discussion attended by over 400 community members.
Here it is again. Blatant discrimination happening in plain view. Yet still, the public outcry is minimal. Stop and think about what it means that we live in a society where you can be fired simply because of who you are. Stanton's decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery was not based on a choice. She did not simply wake up one morning and decide to change gender like one decides to pierce an ear. The decision was made because she realized she was not happy as a man. The City Commission did make a choice. They made a choice to embrace discrimination and once again demonstrate to the rest of the country how backwards some parts of Florida remain.
Until Stanton is reinstated as City Manager and the City Commission issues a formal apology, the city of Largo has no right to its slogan "City of Progress"