Tampa Bay Coalition
Posts this in Support and on Behalf of;
Equality Florida
 
Press Releases
September 10th & 11th, 2003
Equality Florida
www.eqfl.org.
 
*Equality Florida Safe School Summit Set for Oct 24-26 in Orlando.
*Equality Florida Condemns Deputy Sheriff’s Abuse of Title.
 
 
Equality Florida Safe School Summit Set for Oct 24-26 in Orlando
Fourth Annual Event to Focus on Passage of Statewide Dignity Bill

(Orlando, FL) - It's time to register for the Equality Florida Safe-Schools Summit Oct. 24 - 26 in Orlando.

Now in its fourth year, the event brings together LGBT youth, adults, and organizations from across the state for a weekend of workshops designed to give them the necessary tools to make schools safe for youth.

A scholarship fund has been established to ensure students from across Florida will be able to participate. Event oganizers are encouraging people who support this important work to make a contribution of $50, $100, or more toward the scholarship fund to help defray students transportation and housing costs.

Checks can be mailed to Equality Florida/ Youth Scholarship 1222 S. Dale Mabry #652 Tampa, FL 33629.

The focus of this year's summit will be the Dignity for All Students Act (DFASA). When passed, DFASA will protect all Florida students from harassment, discrimination, and violence based on real or perceived identity or expression of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex or gender, disability, or sexual orientation.

Momentum for the bill continued to build through the 2003 legislative session, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle understood the necessity of making schools a safe place to learn. The number of co-sponsors of the bill increased to 23 and more than 167 organizations signed on in support of the bill.

"The growing bi-partisan support for this bill is a clear indication that safe schools is an issue that can no longer be ignored," said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida's Executive Director.

The bill was referred to the Senate Education Committee and was scheduled to be heard for debate and vote last spring but was blocked by 35 anti-gay amendments put forward by Sen. Anna Cowin, R-Leesburg.

Other areas of focus for the Safe Schools Summit will include outreach, training, and lobbying. Student and adult activists alike will be educated about the bill and trained on how to effectively lobby legislators while they are in their home districts prior to the next legislative session.

Youth groups and youth advocates from across the state have provided resources, time and enthusiasm to make the Summit possible. GLSEN has been an annual co-sponsor of the event.

The Safe School Summit will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Orlando Downtown 151 East Washington Street.

Participants can register online at www.eqfl.org.
For more information, call (813) 870-3735 (x216) or e-mailing celina@eqfl.org .

Press Release
September 10, 2003
Equality Florida
www.eqfl.org.
 
Equality Florida Condemns Deputy Sheriff’s Abuse of Title
Equality Florida Calls on Jacksonville Sheriff to Distance His Office from Deputy’s Bigoted Commentary

(Jacksonville, FL) Equality Florida today condemned the bigoted and homophobic comments made by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Deputy in a Letter to the Editor of Folio Weekly, a local news magazine. The statewide human rights organization further demanded that Sheriff John Rutherford distance the sheriff’s office from such divisive views.

In the letter, Deputy Adrian Cody states that the struggle of the gay and lesbian community for equal rights is “akin to heroin addicts across America banding together to politicize their criminal and unhealthy lifestyle,” among other bigoted and venomous comments.

Equality Florida and Jacksonville’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community adamantly support the right of everyone to express their personal views. However, Deputy Cody displayed a complete lack of sound judgment in signing his letter under his official title.

“By signing his homophobic commentary under his official title, Deputy Cody demonstrates his inability to separate his personal bias from his official duties”, said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. “Deputy Cody sends a message that the gay community can expect less than equal treatment from an agency that should protect and serve everyone.”

After the death of Jacksonville resident Terry Ann Summers, a well-known transgender activist, the Sheriff’s department instituted a first ever LGBT sensitivity training. Equality Florida encourages Sheriff Rutherford to review this training program, as recent events indicate a lack of understanding within the department.

At the absolute minimum, Equality Florida and Jacksonville’s LGBT community demand that Sheriff Rutherford clarify the appropriate use of official titles by his staff and to very clearly distance the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office from the divisive hateful commentary of Adrian Cody, Deputy, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

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