Make plans now to attend the March 20th School Board Meeting. Put it on your calendar, bring a friend, and plan to speak.
The Board has ignored the recommendations of the District Committee four times. The Committee members have read the book, reviewed the laws involved, reviewed the School Board policy, and have reached a decision after thoughtful discussion. The Committee is definitely more well-versed in the information about the book than the School Board. Why is the board not following the recommendations of the committee?
The book challenges present specific agendas that are strongly anti-LBGTQ, racist, and discriminatory in origin.
Be the voice for teachers and media specialists. Many are not tenured. They cannot speak for fear of losing their jobs.
Let's move forward! Persist and Resist! We are excited to share some upcoming events and key dates.
Sunday, February 5
Last day to join/renew to participate in the chapter election on Wednesday, March 22. Membership is open to any Democrat registered to vote in the State of Florida. Join/Renew Here.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
Individual membership: $25
Household membership: $40 (2 members)
Young Democrat membership (age 18-30): $15 (NEW CATEGORY!)
Student membership: $5 (REDUCED RATE!)
Scholarships: We do not want financial barriers to impede participation. If due to hardship you would like to seek a scholarship, please email emeraldcoastequality@gmail.com and we will be happy to have that conversation on a case-by-case basis. (Scholarships may be limited to available funds.)
Friday, February 10, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
PROTECT TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE AT THE FL BOARD OF MEDICINE
Location: Department of Transportation Auditorium, Burns Building, 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
See details and image below.
Wednesday, February 22
General Membership Meeting & Spring Speaker’s Series Kickoff
5:30 p.m. – Downtown Pensacola Library
Presentation: "A 2023 FL Legislative Session Overview." The 2023 FL Legislative Session is scheduled to officially begin on March 7 and end May 5. Join us as we learn about the important bills that we expect to move through committees this year, especially those that will affect the LGBTQ+ community, and how we can rise up, advocate and push back.
Presenter: Jean Siebenaler, Legislative Chair of the Democratic Women's Club of Florida. Jean is also president of the Santa Rosa County Democratic Women’s Club and an active member of the Santa Rosa County DEC, the Santa Rosa County Democratic Black Caucus and Emerald Coast Equality.
Disclaimer: "This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the West Florida Public Libraries or Escambia County
Friday, February 24, thru Sunday, February 26
RISE UP: FL LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus: Winter Conference 2023
The Renaissance Airport Hotel, Orlando
The in-person event with a virtual Livestream option brings together activists, allies, advocates, candidates, elected officials, and policymakers for a weekend of planning and networking. Early bird pricing and the deadline to book a discounted room is Friday, February 3.
Details and registration here. Emerald Coast Equality will provide a $50 stipend to all chapter members who attend.
Wednesday, March 22
General Membership Meeting & Leadership Elections
5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Downtown Library
Members will convene to elect new officers and two at-large board positions. Current members who have joined or renewed by Sunday, February 5 are eligible to vote. Following the election, there will be a Town Hall-style member input session. All members who have paid dues 45 days in advance of the election are eligible to vote as well as run for office. If you would like to nominate someone, or yourself, please email emeraldcoastequality@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: "This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the West Florida Public Libraries or Escambia County
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your support and engagement. Unfortunately, we have much work to do. Let's do it together!
NEWS
STATEMENT OF EMERALD COAST EQUALITY ON THE SIGNING OF THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
The Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law today by President Biden, should provide peace of mind to the millions of same-sex and interracial couples in America, and their families, at a time when so many of the rights Americans have counted on are no longer safe.
Emerald Coast Equality President Jeff Nall released the following statement on the milestone legislation:
“We are very pleased, not only with the bipartisan support, but also the support from more than 40 diverse faith communities. However, I do agree with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that it is a strange feeling to see the durability of your marriage up for debate in Congress, especially at a time when 71% of Americans support marriage equality.
The key word here is respect. Respect for who each other loves and the commitment they have made to each other. That is what marriage is about, taking care of each other and family, whatever that may look like. The Respect for Marriage Act recognizes the importance of marriage and affirms that all couples, including same-sex and interracial couples, deserve respect, dignity, stability, and the ongoing protection of marriage.
My husband and I have been married for six years, together for 17. Our marriage is just as important to us as any other couple’s marriage and commitment is to them. Knowing that you will be treated equally and with respect is something that all married couples and all Americans deserve.
Though we celebrate this milestone today, we are reminded there is still work ahead to ensure full equality for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups that are so frequently under attack. LGBTQ people also still face discrimination at work, in healthcare, when renting or buying a home, when visiting loved ones in the hospital or simply when gathering with friends. We’ve seen the latter most recently with the horrific mass shooting of LGBTQ patrons and allies at Club Q in Colorado Springs and six years ago at Pulse in Orlando. Full equality is a right that should be bestowed on all Americans and I hope this legislation is a step in that direction.”
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus was represented at today’s historic signing by President Stephen Gaskill.
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LGBTQ+ Dems Welcome Reintroduction of the Equality Act
The Equality Act was reintroduced in the US House of Representatives this afternoon. The landmark bipartisan legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in a number of civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, among others. Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement:
“LGBTQ Americans face discrimination everyday solely for who we are. The Equality Act is a simple but giant step that ends the patchwork system of equality measures our community faces across the country — and even across Florida. By amending key civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, the Equality Act strengthens protections for everyone. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus thanks our Florida congressional delegation for their support and advocacy on behalf of equality for all Americans.”
“Congratulations to Secretary Pete Buttigieg on his historic confirmation,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “This confirmation breaks through a barrier that has existed for too long; where LGBTQ identity served as an impediment to nomination or confirmation at the highest level of government. Let this important moment for our movement serve as a reminder to every LGBTQ young person: you too can serve your country in any capacity you earn the qualifications to hold. President Biden promised to deliver an administration representative of the diversity of this nation, and this confirmation is a significant achievement toward that goal. I look forward to working with Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the entire Biden cabinet.”
https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/secretary-pete-buttigieg-makes-history-as-first-openly-lgbtq-senate-confirmed-person-to-lead-a-department
"Gender identity should not be a barrier to military service," said Emerald Coast Equality President Jeff Nall. "If someone is willing to step up and volunteer, and they have the skills that we need to protect our country, than these patriots need to be able to serve."
http://weartv.com/news/local/nw-florida-lgbtq-advocates-support-president-bidens-reversal-of-transgender-military-ban
Contact
Email us at EmeraldCoastEquality@gmail.com
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