A few LGBT tidbits about San Antonio, Texas, Mayor Julian Castro, who is about to give the keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention:
Castro was the first mayor of San Antonio to be grand marshal at the city's annual gay pride parade, according to DallasVoice.com.
Also, DallasVoice reports, Castro earlier this year signed the Freedom to Marry Pledge.
“Today I proudly joined the mayors of Houston, Austin, New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and more than 60 other American mayors of cities big and small in support of the ‘Mayors for the Freedom to Marry’ petition for same-sex marriage equality,” Castro wrote on his Facebook page the day he signed the pledge.
WASHINGTON -- The Democratic National Convention is a watershed event for America's gay rights movement, which never before has been embraced so warmly by a major political party.
There's a platform endorsing same-sex marriage, a roster of speakers that includes three gay members of Congress, and a record number of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender delegates hailing from all 50 states - 486 in all, more than 8 percent of the total.
"We've been an underrepresented demographic in politics for a long time," said Jerame Davis of National Stonewall Democrats, a gay-rights affiliate of the party. "Finally seeing us appropriately represented is just a thrill."
The large role for gays and lesbians is a striking contrast with last week's Republican convention, which ratified a platform opposing gay-rights priorities and was attended by perhaps a few dozen openly gay delegates. It also shows how far the Democrats have evolved since Bill Clinton, now a staunch supporter of same-sex marriage, signed a bipartisan bill in 1996 defining marriage as a one-man, one-woman union.
Floridians at the Democratic National Convention this week are not happy that former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is scheduled to give a high-profile speech Thursday night.
"Crist actively campaigned to establish discrimination against LGBT Floridians in the state constitution," Michael Emanuel Rajner posted Tuesday on Facebook. "As a delegate from Florida's 20 Congressional District, I'm offended Crist would speak at the convention and no attempt has been made for him to make piece with LGBT Floridians whose families he has harmed."
Ironically, Crist continues to be dogged by rumors that he is gay.
And three months ago, the former governor's ex-friend and confidant Jim Greer -- Florida's onetime Republican Party chairman awaiting trial on corruption charges -- alleged Crist had homosexual affairs:
Rajner, a gay HIV-AIDS activist in Fort Lauderdale, said he's disgusted that Crist will speak at the convention.
"I can understand why politically they would need him here to win over the independents, those that are tired of the parties. Those are the people Crist may or man not attract," Rajner said. "But coming into a Democratic arena and giving him false credibility, that he is our friend, is hardly the message I would agree with."
"Like anyone would believe him?" Rajner said. "Crist is the ultimate political whore, only looking to advance opportunities for Charlie Crist."
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick announced today that actor and LGBT advocate Wilson Cruz will join GLAAD's staff as the Strategic Giving Officer. Cruz help fund GLAAD's work amplifying stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.
"For more than two decades GLAAD has combatted anti-LGBT images in the media and changed the national conversation about LGBT people,” said Cruz. “Today, GLAAD is also using its media expertise to create a culture that is accepting and safe for all young people. From Spanish-language media to sports, Hollywood to the newsroom, GLAAD shares the stories and sparks the discussions that make the world a better place for LGBT people everywhere. I am proud and excited to grow this culture-changing work. ”
"Throughout his career, Wilson Cruz has been a strong advocate for LGBT Americans,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “His work in film and television, as well as his commitment to supporting local and national LGBT organizations exemplifies GLAAD's mission to move LGBT equality forward."
Cruz's involvement with GLAAD began in 1995, when he accepted the GLAAD Media Award on behalf of the groundbreaking drama, My So-Called Life. Cruz's role as gay high school student Rickie Vasquez was a groundbreaking moment in the history of LGBT images in the media. In 1997, Cruz joined GLAAD's Board of Directors, giving his time and expertise to lead GLAAD during a time of transition. In 2008, GLAAD honored Cruz with its Visibilidad Award, given to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community. Cruz has also contributed to the success of the GLAAD Media Awards by participating on a panel of celebrities and industry experts who finalize the award recipients, and by hosting the event itself.
Cruz's advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community has not been limited to his work with GLAAD. He recently served on the Board of Directors for The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and for the past two years he co-chaired their annual Respect Awards which raise money for the organization. Cruz also worked at The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force as a Field Organizer, advocating in cities around the United States to expand human rights ordinances to includes sexual orientation. He has been the Grand Marshal at Chicago, West Hollywood and San Diego Pride events, as well volunteering for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.
Cruz has found acting success in film and television and on Broadway and will maintain his professional acting career. In addition to My So-Called Life, Cruz had regular roles on Party of Five, and on Noah's Arc, another groundbreaking show about gay men of color. He has made guest appearances on ER, Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Grey's Anatomy, and NCIS. His film work includes Nixon, Party Monster, and He's Just Not That Into You. On Broadway, he portrayed Angel in the smash hit musical Rent. Cruz's experience in the entertainment industry will increase GLAAD's contacts at networks and film studios, strengthening GLAAD's existing work advocating for fair and inclusive images of LGBT people in Hollywood.
Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo has retired as president and CEO of Broward House, South Florida's oldest HIV/AIDS service agency.
Here's the Broward House news release:
Fort Lauderdale, FL; September 4, 2011 –Broward House, South Florida's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization today announced that President and CEO Angelo Castillo has retired after nine years of service to the agency.
"A feeling has been growing in me for a while. It's been telling me the time is right for to find a new challenge. Nine years is a long time for any CEO especially given everything that we've done at Broward House” said Castillo "When I came to the agency in 2003 it faced some serious administrative challenges. We had an amazing staff back then, running excellent programs just as we do now. However, the business practices needed reforming. So we reformed how the agency did business, while keeping the core mission intact. We got stronger, recovered and then grew Broward House from a $4 million organization into the $12 million agency it is today. Few organizations specializing in HIV/AIDS offer the array of health, social, and behavioral services that Broward House offers. Even fewer offer all that in combination with an excellent housing opportunities. None does it better. Broward House sets the standard, and for me, it's been an absolute pleasure to see that evolve”.
Immediately, upon Angelo’s retirement announcement, the Executive Committee appointed Michael McGuigan, formerly Broward House’s Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer to the role of President and CEO. “What Broward House is today is a true testament to the man that Angelo Castillo is” said Mark Budwig, Board President. “The agency would not be as large as it is or offer as many services had it not been for the guidance and leadership of Angelo”.
Politicker reports on an anti-Barack Obama, anti-gay marriage video posted to YouTube by conservative leader Gary Bauer, president of the faith-based American Values.
According to Havana Times, Cuban journalist-blogger Francisco Rodríguez is seeking to identify all the LGBT people and couples on the island.
From Havana Times:
How many homosexuals are there in Cuba? How many same-sex couples are living together? How many transsexuals does the island have? And how many bisexual and lesbian households exist in Cuba?
Rodríguez will conduct the survey from Sept. 15-24, according to Havana Times.
