National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: Largo City Commission’s push to remove city manager ‘immoral act of discrimination’

News release:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 — The Largo City Commission in Largo, Fla., voted 5 to 2 last night to start a three-step process to remove City Manager Steve Stanton from the job he’s held for 14 years. This decision comes after Stanton announced plans to undergo a gender reassignment process.

Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“The Largo City Commission’s action is a blatant, immoral act of discrimination. It is shameful that the commissioners care more about pandering to local bigoted sentiment than they do about ensuring that the city continues to benefit from the service of an experienced manager. Their treatment of Steve Stanton was appalling, almost like a modern-day act of setting the lions loose on him in the Coliseum.

“Unfortunately, this is just one more example of the discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people face every day in this country. It is wrong to fire people simply because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity or expression, and it is long past time for Congress to act to end this type of discrimination.

“The commissioners in Largo still have a chance to right this wrong. Rather than make Largo a global example of intolerance and bigotry, they can prove their city to be fair-minded and respectful of all people, regardless of differences. We urge the commissioners to reconsider their decision at the next vote.”

HRC: In Violation of Public Employment Non-Discrimination Policy, City of Largo Moves to Fire City Manager

News release:

WASHINGTON — Last night, the city commissioners of Largo, Fla., moved to fire long-time City Manager Steve Stanton because he disclosed that he would begin the process of transitioning from male to female. The commissioners voted 5 to 2 to end Stanton’s career. The mayor of Largo and one other commissioner voted in dissent.

The move by the city commissioners is in direct violation of the city government’s own internal non-discrimination policy.  In 2003, the town of Largo, Fla., adopted a policy that explicitly prohibits discrimination in public employment on the basis of gender identity and expression. To view the minutes of the meeting adopting the new policy and to read the language of the policy, please visit: www.largo.com/Commission_agendas/commission_packets/oct_14_2003/managers_report.html

“What happened last night in the town of Largo, Florida, is nothing more than a shameful display of ignorance and bias,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “In direct violation of their own city policy, a successful employee of 14 years was moved to be terminated for no other reason than that he chose to live his life being the person he is. For their dissenting votes, Mayor Pat Gerard and Commissioner Rodney Woods will be remembered as being on the right side of history, and we thank them for their courage.”

“This blatant act of discrimination does nothing to help the city of Largo attract businesses.  It presents an image to the rest of the country that the city is intolerant and bigoted,” said Solmonese.

On Feb. 27, 2007, The St. Petersburg Times wrote in an editorial entitled, “Judge Official on Skills, not Sex,” that Stanton still “possesses the same intelligence and skills that made him a successful city manager. It is on those attributes that he should be judged, not his appearance or his deeply personal struggle.”

In light of the lack of federal protections, many state and local jurisdictions have created laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender workers. Currently eight states and the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination based upon gender identity.

Ninety-two local jurisdictions, from Key West, Fla., to Scranton, Pa., to Tacoma, Wash., also have adopted employment protections for transgender individuals. Among these 92 jurisdictions are some of the largest cities in America, including Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, as well as smaller places across the country like Peoria, Ill.; Louisville, Ky.; Ypsilanti, Mich.; and El Paso, Texas. For an up-to-date comprehensive list, please visit: www.hrc.org/workplace/transgender/policies

In addition, numerous corporations have added protections for transgender employees to their non-discrimination policies. In fact, 122 of the Fortune 500 companies have adopted policies that protect their transgender employees — among them American Airlines, Capital One, Chevron, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Microsoft and Xerox.  Additionally, Florida based companies including Tech Data Corporation (Clearwater, FL); Ryder Systems Incorporated (Miami, FL); and Walter Industries Incorporated (Tampa, FL) all have non-discrimination policies protecting transgender employees.  To see a full list of employers, see the Human Rights Campaign’s website at: www.hrc.org/workplace/transgender/policies

There have been many successful transitions in the workplace that underscore the incorrect assumptions made by the city of Largo.  Dr. Margaret Stumpp is Chief Investment Officer of Quantitative Management Associates, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial. She oversees $45 billion on behalf of a global base of institutional and retail investment management clients. Maggie changed genders from male to female in early 2002, while simultaneously maintaining her position with Prudential and her visibility within the investment industry. Dr. Stumpp spoke at a national press conference for the Human Rights Campaign in June 2005.

Executives at Prudential embraced the opportunity to be a leader in implementing policies that protect the rights and responsibilities of their transgender employees. The company developed procedures for managers to help guide them through an employee’s transitioning process; incorporation of education about transgender issues in the workplace in diversity training programs; and, modified health insurance policies to provide wellness benefits that include coverage for an employee’s medical costs for transitioning.

The Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Project provides a wealth of informative materials about policies, protections, guidelines and personal accounts of employees who have gone through transitioning in the workplace. This information can be obtained by visiting both: www.hrc.org/workplace/transgender and www.hrc.org/transgender

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

SIDELINES SPORTS BAR POURS A SHOT FOR PRIDEFEST 2007

News release:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – February 28, 2007– Sidelines Sports Bar, along with Hotspots! Magazine, will offer a Special Sidelines’ Pridefest Shot for $1.00 when you bring in your Hotspots! Shot glass to the club. On Saturday, March 10th and Sunday, March 11th, 2007, following the Pride South Florida activities at the Holiday Park/War Memorial, festival attendees can come to Sidelines Sports Bar with their Hotshots! Shot glass and they will receive a special shot for only $1.00.

Sidelines Sports Bar, opened a mere nine months ago, has maintained a strong commitment to the South Florida gay community and therefore, will donate all the proceeds from the Special Sidelines’ Pridefest Shots sold to various local charities. “We want to demonstrate our gay pride and thank our loyal customers for their patronage”, said Laurie Whittaker, co-owner of Sidelines. “This was a way we could do both”.

Sidelines Sports Bar, with its 16 flat-screen TVs, 3 pool tables, 3 dartboards, and free foosball table, continues to provide a fun, friendly and comfortable environment for gay men and women who enjoy all kinds of sports. Sidelines Sports Bar is located at 2031-A Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305. Their telephone number is (954) 563-8001 or you can also visit them online at www.sidelinessports.com.

Steve Rothaus nominated for Latino Press Award!

From Samara Riviera of South Florida's Latino Boys Magazine (click photo to enlarge):

"Latino Boys Magazine are having our first Latino Press Awards and you have been nominated in the category of Outstanding non-Latino columnist. The awards are to recognize gay/Latino and supporters of the gay/Latino community."

The awards will be given 8 p.m. April 4 at Club Azucar, 2301 SW 32nd Ave.

Thank you very much!

Firing looms over Largo city manager's sex change

Steve Stanton walks out of the commission chambers, while commissioner Mary Black, not pictured, discusses the wording on the amendment to fire him. (St. Petersburg Times photo: Jim Damaske)

Largo City Manager Steve Stanton faces termination from his $140,000-a-year job after revealing plans to have a sex-change operation.

LARGO - (AP) -- The City Council planned to consider a resolution Tuesday to fire the city's top official less than a week after he announced plans to pursue a sex-change operation.

Largo City Manager Steve Stanton, 48, who built a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader in 14 years on the job, confirmed rumors last week that he is a transsexual.

He planned to keep his $140,000-a-year job as he undergoes the gender reassignment process.

But on Monday, City Councilwoman Mary Gray Black proposed that Stanton be put on paid leave while the city begins the process of firing him.

To read more, click here.

ArtExplosion 2007 schedule

News release:

ArtExplosion 2007 is a two week GLBT Arts Festival here in Ft. Lauderdale presented by ArtsUnited.

ArtExplosion 2007 opens this Saturday, March 3 with the opening night reception of one of the largest GLBT art shows in the country. It closes March 17 with one of the funiest shows you've ever seen, the ArtExplosion Finale at the Broward Center, featuring Marga Gomez, Greg Walloch, and the original Madame with new handler Joe Kovacs. In between are two weeks of local and national GLBT talent. For a full schedule of events visit www.artexplosiononline.org or pick up a Program Guide at the GLCC

Be sure to check out these highlights presented by Stonewall Library and/or ArtsUnited:

Saturday, March 3, 6:00-9:00pm

ArtExplosion 2007 Opening Night Reception

ArtServe JM Enterprises Gallery

1350 East Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale,

$5 Admission

Sunday, March 4, 1:00pm

Jim Sears, author of Inside the Mattachine

Stonewall Library & Archives

1717 N. Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale,

Free

Sunday, March 4, 7:30pm

Tim Miller in 1001 Beds

Cinema Paradiso

503 SE 6th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Tickets $20 by Phone: (877) 877-7677

Monday, March 5, 6:30-9:00pm

Dennis Dean, Photography Exhibit, Opening Night Reception

Stonewall Library & Archives

1717 N. Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale,

Free

Tuesday, March 6, 7:30pm

Out Loud

New Moon Bar

2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors

Free

Saturday and Sunday, March 10- 11

God-Des & She, Ari Gold

At Pridefest 2007

Holiday Park War Memorial Auditorium

800 N. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale,

$8 Regular Admission / $5 Student Admission at gate

Be sure to visit the Stonewall Library and Archive's booth in the ArtsUnited Art Pavilion

Sunday, March 11, 8:00pm

David Leddick in "Presenting Gilda [UTF-8?]Lilly…My Years in Hollywood"

Cinema Paradiso

503 SE 6th Street, Ft. Lauderdale,

Tickets $20 /$15 seniors and students (877) 877-7677

Monday, March 12, 7:00pm

Origins of Gay Film silent gay films from early 1900's

Cinema Paradiso

503 SE 6th Street, Ft. Lauderdale,

$10 for both films / $5 for FLIFF members 954-525-FILM

Wednesday, March 14, 6:00-8:00pm

Alison Bechdel, author of "Fun Home"

Broward County Main Library

100 S. Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale,

Free

Saturday, March 17, 7:30pm

ArtExplosion Finale

Featuring Marga Gomez, Greg Walloch and

Special Guest Madame with Joe Kovacs

Broward Center for the Performing Arts,

201 SW 5th Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

Tickets $50 / $35 (954) 462-0222

For a complete list of events and locations, or to buy ticket online, go to www.artexplosiononline.org

Martial arts workshop benefits SAVE

News release:

(Click photo to enlarge)

Martini Tuesdays at Setai Hotel

From SoBe Social Club:

Martini Tuesdays is a weekly cocktail party that meets at a different venue every Tuesday at 9pm. Now in its 6th year, Martini Tuesdays is a great night for networking and meeting new friends. There is never a cover charge.

This Week's Location:
Setai Hotel
2001 Collins Avenue
305.520.6400
www.setai.com

Martini of the Week:
Chili Passion Martini $8
Made with Vodka.

See Photos from Martini Tuesdays

USA Today: When it comes to gay rights, is Cuba inching ahead of USA?

By DeWayne Wickham, USA Today

HAVANA — Years before George W. Bush proclaimed his support for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages in the United States, the ideologically rigid government of Fidel Castro made a big move in the opposite direction.

It sanctioned the production and viewing of Strawberry and Chocolate, an Academy Award-nominated film about the awkward friendship between a straight man and a gay man — and the homophobia they both had to battle.

Since this movie debuted in theaters here in the mid-1990s, the Cuban government's intolerance of homosexuals has given way to a more egalitarian treatment of gays and lesbians.

The public persecution of homosexuals has declined sharply. Two years ago, Cuba had its first gay film festival. Last year, the highest-rated show on Cuba's state-run television was a soap opera in which a married man fell in love with another man. And now this country is on the verge of enacting a law that gives same-sex couples some form of legal status.

To read more, click here.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, ACLU and HRC seek workplace discrimination stories for upcoming push on ENDA

News release:

Call for personal stories to put face to policy

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign are working together to engage more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans in the national campaign to end workplace discrimination for LGBT workers. The campaign, which urges LGBT people who have faced job discrimination to share their stories, will be used to boost lobbying efforts for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill that would protect LGBT people against workplace discrimination, and for similar state proposals.

“People sharing their painful stories is essential in shattering the myth that discrimination against us is rare or a thing of the past,” said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “Putting a human face on this injustice has made all the difference in passing nondiscrimination legislation at the state and local level and will be critical in putting ENDA over the top this year.”

The groups have set up an online survey, available at www.theTaskForce.org, www.aclu.org/lgbt and www.hrc.org, which encourages LGBT people who have experienced job discrimination to share their stories. They are looking for people from all walks of life who have held all kinds of jobs: from fast food and construction workers to teachers and brain surgeons. The groups acknowledge that proof of anti-LGBT bias will be important to persuading lawmakers but note that proof can come in many forms.

“With the new Congress, there is a very real opportunity to pass ENDA,” said Caroline Fredrickson, director of ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “But nothing is assured. That’s why we’re seeking LGBT people who will share their stories of workplace discrimination, to demonstrate to lawmakers the vital need for this legislation. Our most powerful tools are the voices of people who have been fired or denied a job because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and we want to hear from everyone who has experienced this discrimination.”

“Employment discrimination strikes at the fundamental American value — the right of each qualified, hardworking individual to do his or her job and contribute to society without facing discrimination or being fired simply for who they are,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Workplace discrimination exists, yet many will not come forward for fear of retribution. We are calling on those victims to join us and help us pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.”

With the recent change in makeup of both the House and Senate, the advocacy groups believe that there is now a real opportunity to pass ENDA. The bill would protect against workplace discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Several states will also be pushing for nondiscrimination laws this year. The Task Force, ACLU and HRC will also be sharing the stories collected with statewide LGBT lobbying groups pressing for state protections. Anyone who submits a story will be contacted first before any of the information is made public.

A link to the survey as well as additional information about ENDA is available at www.theTaskForce.org, www.aclu.org/lgbt, and www.hrc.org. To hear a podcast by Matt Coles, director of the ACLU’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, explaining why nondiscrimination laws are so critical, visit http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/discrim/28613res20070226.html.