Broward Judge Please Toss Gay Marriage Ban - Grant Dissolve of Civil Union

It's a Catch-22 for a lesbian who wants to get married to her new partner.

Heather Brassner's spouse cheated on her four years ago and then disappeared, she said.

Read the whole story at Miami Herald

 Ju'Coby Pittman City Council Candidate At Large Group 5 Jacksonville

Ju'Coby Pittman is a native Jacksonville-resident who graduated from Englewood High School, and then went on to pursue the Edward Waters College C.L.I.M.B. Program.  She holds dual degrees in business administrations from Florida State College at Jacksonville (Associate in Arts degree) and Jones College (Bachelor of Science degree) respectively.  Additionally, she was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Jones College and serves as one of the institution's most accomplished alumna.

With more than three decades of community engagement, Pittman  dedicated 22 years of her professional life to serve as President and CEO of the Clara White Mission.  In this capacity she transitioned the non-profit organization from a $225,000 operational budget to a $3.1 million with 32 full and part-time employees.

Under her leadership, program initiatives have been sustained that focus on workforce development, job training and placement.  Her primary focus of feeding and meeting the needs of Jacksonville's homeless population has been advanced by the implementation of a "Drop-in Day Center", providing customized services for veterans.

In 2014, she will open "Beaver Street Veteran's Villas and Outreach Center" and "White Harvest Farm and Farmer's Market".  The innovative brand of initiatives will provide affordable housing and grow fresh produce for the community.   She has set the trend for efficiency and effectiveness in results and accountability. 

Community engagement has kept Pittman at the forefront of Jacksonville's progression as she has served on the transition team(s) of Jacksonville's three prior mayor's: John Delaney, John Peyton, and current Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown.  In addition, to serving as an active member on numerous board of directors including Jacksonville Children's Commission, Cummer Museum, YMCA, Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, and Department of Juvenile Justice, she is a member of Leadership Jacksonville, Junior League of Jacksonville, Westside Business Leaders Association and the Downtown Rotary Club to name a few.  She worships at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Among a few of her esteemed honors include the Jacksonville Business Journal "Women of Influence,"  Florida Times Union, "Eve Award,Finalist" and the FBI "Community Leadership Award".

She is the proud parent of two children.

The highest honor she seeks will come directly from voters: Jacksonville City Councilwoman At-Large Group 5. The upcoming election is March 2015.

She is supports an fully inclusive HRO change for Jacksonville.

Ginsberg: US Supreme Court Won't Dodge Gay Marriage

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says the Supreme Court won't duck the issue of same-sex marriage the next time a case comes to the court.

The 81-year-old Ginsburg said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday that she expects a same-sex marriage case to be heard and decided by June 2016, and possibly a year earlier.

She said attitudes have changed swiftly in favor of the right of same-sex couples to marry, which is now legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Ginsburg has served on the court since 1993. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton. She said feels she can still do the job well and rebuffed suggestions that she should retire now so President Barack Obama can appoint a like-minded successor.

220 Riverside Lands Celebrity Chef Restaurant 

Celebrity Chef Kevin Sbraga, winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef” season seven and owner of two restaurants in Philadelphia, plans to open in the mixed-use development early next year.

Sbraga’s Jacksonville restaurant will be one of three that will occupy most of the ground floor retail strip at 220 Riverside, according Alex Coley, principle with NAI Hallmark Partners, the project’s developer.


A casual restaurant, most likely by a local restaurateur, will be announced in about a month, he said. A bar and grill will be announced about a month after that. 220 Riverside will have three restaurants located in the commercial spaces.

Equality Florida & Huntsman Cases File Motions for Merger

Equality Florida and their 6 plaintiffs have file motions to merge with Aaron Hunstman & Lee Jones. Now all 7 couples will challenge Florida’s same-sex marriage laws as one united force. More details will be forthcoming from Aaron & Lee’s attorneys, Restivo, Reilly & Vigil-Farinas and Equality Florida.

cityXtra Magazine Endorses Bill Bishop for Mayor

By David Vandygriff

As with many within our community cityXtra Magazine supported Mayor Brown in the past election. Times have changed and Mayor Brown turned his back on the LGBT Community and Jacksonville. Brown has even stated to our anonymous source that he would never support an HRO change and he would never have gay children or rather he would beat it out of them.

cityXtra Magazine is publicly endorsing Bill Bishop for Jacksonville Mayor. Bill Bishop has publicly stated supported for a FULL inclusive HRO for Jacksonville. Bishop has the leadership advantage over Lenny Curry and Alvin Brown by simply having the balls to state his own position on the HRO issue.

Bishop supports an integrated and proactive public transit system, a robust downtown redevelopment platform, St John's environmental initiatives, and a financially responsible city budget.

We firmly believe Bill Bishop is the true leader at this point for Jacksonville. A voice that speaks louder than Lenny Curry or Alvin Brown.

We encourage our readers to consider the man and NOT the party. We as a city, state, country are way to often set in our party ways and refuse to take a look at the individual as a person. The GOP as we can tell by Bishop's stance on the HRO, does NOT control Bishop. Therefore, VOTE Bill Bishop for Jacksonville Mayor.

UF Health Hospital Northside

A state agency has given the green light of UF Health's Northside Hospital. The six story complex under construction on Max Leggett Parkway, east of Interstate 95’s airport interchange, is scheduled to open early next year. The new complex will have a 28-bed emergency room, five operating rooms and a range of specialized labs and imaging equipment. The facility is expected to produce 170 jobs for the area.

UF Health Jacksonville North will be a state‑of‑the‑art, six-story medical office building located at the northeast corner of Interstate 95 and Max Leggett Parkway. The full-service outpatient facility will include an emergency department, obstetrics, general surgery and ancillary services such as state‑of‑the‑art imaging, laboratory and outpatient rehabilitation. Completion is set for early 2015.

In addition, a 92-bed hospital has been preliminarily approved for construction on the UF Health Jacksonville North campus by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Jason Tetlak Jacksonville City Council District 14 Candidate

Jason Tetlak, candidate for Jacksonville City Council, District 14 - including Riverside, Avondale, Murray Hill, & Ortega.

Biography

Most of my friends and acquaintances know that I grew up in Northeast Ohio, but not many people know that I was actually born on the small island of Bermuda. My father, a Navy Veteran, was stationed there at the time, and I lived there until a little after my first birthday. My move here to Florida didn’t occur until 1996, when I came south to attend Flagler College in St. Augustine. After graduating from Flagler in the spring of 2000, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the fun and sun of North Florida, and decided to make Jacksonville my permanent home.

My family and I now reside in Murray Hill, and I’ve called the Riverside area home for several years. I love this part of town and look forward to raising my two daughters here. From the historic Avondale neighborhoods to the eclectic Five Points district, we enjoy spending time in the area’s many parks and playgrounds, and love discovering new local restaurants.

I’ve spent most of my life studying art and design, and currently work at a non-profit that focuses on bringing a variety of quality cultural experiences to town. I very much enjoy working for a group that not only provides access to music, theatre, and speaking engagements, but also helps to relieve the financial stress of individuals pursuing post-secondary opportunities at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

My previous work experiences have afforded me the opportunity to teach elementary school students in the Duval Public School System and also work with the Department of Defense on NAS JAX designing publications and support materials to assist in the ongoing War on Terror. Both of these experiences offer me a unique perspective that I am hoping to bring to City Council.

My wife, Alicia, is a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Ghana. Upon returning, she completed her Masters in Biology right here at UNF. 

In my opinion, there are a few main issues that are integral to our great city finally reaching its nearly unlimited potential. I will be addressing these key points during my campaign.

• Revitalize Downtown - We need to make downtown a destination for our citizens, for visitors, and for businesses by creating a more exciting, vibrant downtown experience. This will benefit all the citizens of Jacksonville by enticing businesses to relocate, thus creating jobs and improving our overall public image.
• Showcase and preserve the St John’s River – Our beautiful, glistening river is the lifeblood of our city’s public image and a jewel that other cities just don’t possess. Keeping the river clean and healthy is absolutely essential to our existence as a showcase city.
• Clean, sustainable energy – With our landfill expected to reach its intake limit within the next two years, it is absolutely essential that we expand our recycling and renewable energy efforts. A green, eco-friendly identity will put Jacksonville firmly out in front of other similar cities in terms of attracting outside business interests.
• Equality - It should be a priority for our great city to provide equal protection to all of our citizens. No one should ever feel unsafe, unwanted, or excluded. We can’t ask people to buy into the idea that Jacksonville is a giving, prosperous community if they themselves feel as though they don’t belong. Expanding our current legislation to ensure equal rights to all citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual identity is an absolute must. It will send a clear message to businesses and individuals considering relocating to Jacksonville that we are a strong community that’s proud of its diversity
• Focus on Small Business - We need to ensure that our small business owners have the support they need to succeed. An incentive program to encourage new businesses to open downtown will strengthen our urban core and our city as a whole.
• Enriching Education - Without question, we must do a better job educating our children. We should SUPPORT our teachers instead of constantly lobbying against them. To me, it also seems counter intuitive to punish schools that are struggling by taking resources away. Instead, we should provide those schools with the tools they need to improve and ultimately succeed.
• Reduce Crime - Crime is always an issue in any urban environment and Jacksonville unfortunately, is no different. One major way to reduce crime is to increase the overall options available to our citizens. Education incentives and job opportunities combined with an increased police presence will go a long way toward reducing Jacksonville’s crime rate.

Website: www.tetlak.com

Florida Medical Marijuana Polls

It's NOT Friday but they want to get high. Laughing!

If the latest poll is right, it’s a safe bet that Florida will legalize medical marijuana this November.

A new Quinnipiac University poll finds that 88 percent of voters support the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes, while 10 percent do not. Those attitudes were unchanged from May, but support was six percentage points up from November. The lowest level of support was among senior citizens, who still back the measure roughly 6 to 1. The youngest segment of voters backed it 19 to 1.

A ballot measure that would legalize the drug was narrowly approved in January, which means that voters will have the chance in just a few months to add their state to a growing number with legal medical pot, which seems likely given the poll.

Among all demographic groups, support for medical marijuana was lowest among Republicans, 80 percent of whom support legalization with 19 percent opposing.

When asked whether they would support a legal medical marijuana dispensary in their own town or city, 71 percent of voters said yes while 26 percent said no. Support for a dispensary in one’s own town was lowest among seniors, who still backed the idea 57 percent to 37 percent.

A majority of voters even supported legalizing marijuana simply for recreational use. The only demographic groups where majorities opposed the idea were Republicans and seniors. Overall support for recreational legalization was up seven percentage points from November.

When asked confidentially, 44 percent said they’ve tried the drug. Seniors had the far and away lowest rates of trying pot, at 23 percent.

Source: Quinnipiac

GOP Shifting on Gay Issues?

By David Vandygriff

During July, after the president circumvented Congress and issued a sweeping new policy, GOP lawmakers bit their tongue.Asked if he had any reaction to Obama’s latest move, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said, “Nope. The president signs a lot of executive orders.”

The fact that GOP lawmakers didn’t freak out about Obama’s latest executive order is evidence that Republicans don’t see much of an upside to celebrating anti-gay workplace discrimination. But if the party had really evolved, the House would follow the Senate’s lead and allow a vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a move Boehner has refused to even consider.

Inside the offices of Republican gay-rights groups, a strategy is forming to convince party leaders to strip opposition to gay marriage from the GOP platform.

The target, operatives say, is to see party leaders drop their support for a gay-marriage ban in time for the Republican National Convention in summer 2016.

Furthermore, Republicans on K Street are helping members of their party shift their stance on gay rights issues.
Kathryn Lehman, a top GOP lobbyist and partner at Holland & Knight, carries a list of 40 to 50 Republican offices in the House and Senate she visits on behalf of Freedom to Marry, a group that backs same-sex marriage.

GOP "mega-donor" Paul Singer thinks he has the answer. He's spearheading a push for the party to back less divisive gay rights—so even if its elected lawmakers don't support gay marriage, they can still appear gay-friendly, the Washington Post reports. The first operation by Singer's advocacy group, the American Unity Fund, is to get Republican congresspeople to vote for a bill banning workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Republican culture warriors seem to be focusing less on gay rights lately and more on reproductive rights, with GOP officials principally concerned lately with opposition to contraception access and abortion. But so long as Rick Perry is running around equating homosexuality with alcoholism, it’s safe to say the party hasn’t changed that much. 

Florida's Attorney General 2014 Election

While George Sheldon is new to Florida’s attorney general race, he’s no stranger in state politics.

The onetime Democratic representative said Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi has been wasting taxpayer resources on partisan crusades that don’t directly affect Florida policy, he told the Tampa Bay Times editorial board Wednesday.

Citing Bondi’s involvement in lawsuits opposing the Affordable Care Act and the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, Sheldon said she had turned a traditionally non-partisan position into a soapbox. Her vocal support of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling on contraception and declaration that recognizing gay marriages performed in other states would “impose significant public harm” in Florida are further proof, he said.

“I really think she sees herself as the governor’s lawyer, not the people’s lawyer,” Sheldon said. Her opposition to these issues coincides with an overall shift among states with Republican attorney generals to become more partisan over the last four years or so. But even among that group, Bondi is as “far out” on the right on issues. 

He further criticized Bondi for one of her political committees accepting a $25,000 contribution from one of Donald Trump’s foundations three days after her office began reviewing allegations by the state of New York about Trump-connected get-rich-quick seminars.

Sheldon said the state needs to consider reversing course on some subjects based on how much they truly would help the state, including Medicaid expansion, which he said would save the state money even when federal funding would be reduced in the future. He also would not oppose medical marijuana; Bondi this year had taken a proposed amendment to allow the drug to the state supreme court over ballot language.

“Your first duty is to the constitution,” he said, saying subjects like equality and voter rights are more the things attorney generals should be defending.

Sheldon faces House Minority Leader Perry Thurston in the Democratic primary. Sheldon was most recently an assistant secretary for federal Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on children and families.

“I would not consider getting in this race if I hadn’t had some national exposure,” Sheldon said, noting Bondi has a very high public profile, positive or not. He also said her fund-raising prowess is a major obstacle, but if he beats Thurston in the primary, he expects some outside help.

“I don’t think we need to be dollar for dollar, but we can’t be outspent three to one,” he said.

He began his political career as an aide to then-state Sen. Reubin Askew before becoming a state representative in 1974. Sheldon has served as deputy attorney general and secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families under Gov. Crist, against whom he once faced for the office of education commissioner.

Sheldon said whether he gets the nomination or not, the fate of Gov. Rick Scott’s Democratic challenger will likely determine who wins the attorney general’s office.

“I think the Democratic nominee for governor is going to have to win by two to three points to bring in this race.”

Today In History

In 1619, first legislative assembly in American.

In 1953, the Small Business Administration was founded.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Medicare bill, which went into effect the following year.

In 1729, Baltimore, Maryland, was founded.

 

 

Amazing Concept - FREE Trolley Rides Downtown

Now someone at JTA and Downtown Business Owners came up with a simply way to help Downtown. Give FREE passes to Trolley Riders. Wow we help save the environment, improve revenue at these business, and gain ridership with public transportation. So simply you would have thought the City Council or Mayor had developed the idea. Laughing! NOT.

A purchase between July 29-31 at Downtown locations of establishments such as The Jacksonville Landing, Dos Gatos, The Volstead, Burrito Gallery or Indochine will come with free trolley tickets, according to a press release.

The promotion is connected to JTA's test of the trolley, which will stop at the Jacksonville Landing and The Elbow, as well as connect to locations like Historic Five Points, the Brewery District and the Shoppes of Avondale.

We would have liked to see have seen our Riverside Businesses targeted in this promoation by JTA. Maybe next time 5 Points. 

Colorado Supreme Court Halts Boulder Gay Marriages

The Colorado Supreme Court has issued a halt to same-sex marriages in Boulder, the only county still allowing them in state. Details forthcoming as order is read.

UPDATE: The court (State Supreme Court) ruled Tuesday in response to an appeal from Republican Attorney General John Suthers, who has been trying for several weeks to get Boulder to stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

The court will hear the appeal, and it is ordering Boulder to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the meantime.

The same court had issued a past stay for gay marriages licenses in Denver. 

State of Illionis Warns Insurance Co.Against Transgender Discrimination

The Illinois Department of Insurance bulletin issued to insurers this week details nondiscrimination provisions in the federal Affordable Care Act along with Illinois laws.

Several other states including Oregon, California, Massachusetts and Vermont have recently issued similar statements to insurers.

The guidance reminds insurers that both excluding and denying coverage based on a person’s gender identity are illegal.

James Eddy Jacksonville City Council District 7

Born in New Martinsville, West Virginia but grew up on a small farm in Marietta, Ohio. Eddy is a graduate of Marietta Sr. High and the University of Akron. Eddy is currently employed as a Restaurant Manger with the Jacksonville Zoo.

Eddy’s volunteerism include: JAX 2025 (Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation, Diverse & Inclusive Community, Government Openness & Responsiveness), Member of the Jacksonville Coalition For Equality (Chair of Education Committee & Stirring TeamMember). One Spark Volunteer, Former President & Co-Founder of Rainbow House, Former President of Holiday Helpers Jacksonville, Dining Our for Life Ambassador, Equality Florida Member, Former River City Pride Board Member, PFLAG Member, and Community Activist.   

ISSUES

Springfield & Downtown revitalization – we have a dwindling tax base, we need to work with local small businesses to make it easier for them to stay in business – tax credits, easing of restrictions. Pedestrian friendly downtown, combination of stores that are useful for our residents and also attract tourist dollars. Develop and implement a plan to encourage our residents to buy local.

To pass a Human Rights Ordinance that includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. This will update a Human Rights Ordinance that currently gives the eight basic protections from the State.

Open space – develop and implement a plan to utilize our open space for the enjoyment of everyone in our city –connect trails. Money that is obtained from the leasing our open space should be set aside for the reduction of bonds or improvements – not to general funds. 

Crime prevention – more focus on city programs to keep children involved in sports, music, the arts, after school programs.

Streamline, restructure, and consolidate police resources to eliminate wasteful or unnecessary spending and promote effective resource allocation with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Safe Streets are Essential in Having a Livable City. I believe that streets must be safe for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorists. The Police, in conjunction with residents, businesses and other City agencies, must be more proactive in developing and implementing sustainable public safety programs, with an emphasis on Community Policing.

In order to ensure that Jacksonville continues to grow we need to develop an independent commission of citizens and current mass transit authorities, to develop plans for the future mass transit systems of Jacksonville.  

To promote the Arts and reinvest to make Jacksonville "The Art Capitol of the South." Not just maintaining, but continually upgrading our infrastructure, parks and other public places.
Ensure that ALL women are receiving EQUAL pay through-out our city.

To promote the Arts and reinvest to make Jacksonville "The Art Capitol of the South."

Gather groups, organizations, faith leaders, & community members to form a round table to improve upon race relations in our city.
 
Website: www.eddy4dist7.com 

 

 

Atlantic Beach HRO Update

By David Vandygriff

Last evening the final workshop for the HRO in Atlantic Beach was conducted. Without any unforeseen interference the final vote on the HRO in Atlantic Beach to include protections for LGBT, should take place on August 11, 2014 at 6:30pm.

The significance of the is a huge step forward in Equality for North Florida. This will be an historical day as the first HRO LGBT Protections in North Florida.

We commend the Atlantic Beach Mayor. "It's an ordinance which makes it a law.  And all ordinances require 2 readings and 2 votes by the commission before they can become enacted," said Mayor Carolyn Woods.

Commissioner Maria Mark said the ordinance is needed because LGBT residents are discriminated against although it might not be done in overt ways.

It’s the commission’s “duty and responsibility to see if we can create a fair and equitable lifestyle for everybody in our community,” said Woods.

“I know there are a lot of people in this community straight, gay and otherwise, that are very much in favor of us working out a solution. It is a big deal,” Woods said.

Today In History

In 1914, 1st transcontinental phone link made between NYC & SF.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA.

In 1981, Britain's Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Tyler Curry in Africa

Tyler Curry

Today, I had the privilege of interviewing several people who are working to end the AIDS epidemic in Victoria Falls. But there was one young girl, Rebecca, who was truly remarkable. Rebecca is a 14-year-old orphan who lives with her grandmother. She is an advocate for other orphans who face the stigma of being "bad people." She recounted many of her experiences with abuse in her community.

"People have called me a thief and think that because I am an orphan, I must be a bad person. But it is not because of my efforts that my mother passed away, it is because of God's efforts."

After of year of not being able to attend school because of lack of funds to pay her tuition, Rebecca returned to school thanks to being a pilot participate in the Guardian Angel Program of BEAT AIDS Project Zimbabwe. Thankfully, many more children like Rebecca will soon be able to return to school as this program continues to develop.

Rebecca not only is an advocate for orphans, but she is also a part of the conversation to fight the stigma of HIV and make her community a better place.
But first, we had to take a selfie.

Note: Tyler Curry is Editor of HIVequal.org

Wave of appellate arguments continues in August at 6th Circuit and 7th Circuit

By Adam Polaski

Next month, same-sex couples in six different states will get their day in court at the federal appellate level when the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and the 7th Circuit hold oral arguments in a wide range of legal cases seeking the freedom to marry or respect for marriages between same-sex couples legally performed in other states.
The arguments at the 6th Circuit will take place on August 6, and on Friday, the 7th Circuit announced its rescheduled date: August 26. A 3-judge panel from both circuit courts will hear arguments in the 10 different marriage cases. Here is a breakdown of each case that will be heard at the appellate level this month:

In the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, on August 6 (Keep up on all of the news for the 6th Circuit marriage cases at www.6thCircuit.org):

• Kentucky's Bourke v. Beshear & Love v. Beshear: On Feb. 12, a federal judge ruled in this case, brought by private firms Clay Daniel Walton & Adams and Fauver Law Office, that Kentucky must respect the marriages of same-sex couples legally performed in other states. On July 1, the same judge ruled in a related case, Love v. Beshear, brought by two unmarried same-sex couples who intervened in the case. In that decision, the judge struck down the Kentucky marriage ban altogether. Notably, the Kentucky Attorney General, Jack Conway, announced that he would not appeal the ruling - but an appeal was still filed by KY Gov. Beshear. 
• Michigan's DeBoer v. Snyder: On March 21, a federal judge ruled in favor of the freedom to marry in this case, striking down the marriage ban for same-sex couples. For the next 24 hours, more than 300 same-sex couples across the state received marriage licenses in Michigan until the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay in the decision. The state is now appealing the ruling.
• Ohio's Obergefell v. Wymyslo & Henry v. Himes: On Dec. 23, a federal judge ruled in Obergefell v. Wymyslo that the state of Ohio must respect the marriages of same-sex couples legally performed in other states for the purpose of listing surviving spouses on death certificates. In April 2014, in a separate federal case, Henry v. Himes, the same judge ruled that Ohio must respect all married same-sex couples who wed in other states for all state purposes. Both cases were brought by private firms Gerhardstein & Branch Co., LPA and Newman & Meeks Co., LPA, with the ACLU joining Obergefell and Lambda Legal joining Henry.
• Tennessee's Tanco v. Haslam: On March 14, a federal judge ordered state officials to respect the marriages of three same-sex couples whose lawsuit, Tanco v. Haslam, challenges the state’s marriage ban. The couples are represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

In the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, on August 26:

• Indiana's Baskin v. Bogan, Midori Fujii v. Commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Revenue, and Lee v. Abbott: On June 25, a federal judge ruled in favor of the freedom to marry in these three consolidated cases, striking down the marriage ban for same-sex couples. For the next several days, hundreds of same-sex couples across the state received marriage licenses from Indiana until the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay in the decision. A stay is not in effect in a prior ruling granting emergency legal respect for the marriage of two Hoosier women, one who is facing a terminal illness. 
• Wisconsin's Wolf v. Walker: On June 6, a federal judge ruled in favor of the freedom to marry in Wisconsin, striking down the marriage ban for same-sex couples. Over the next several days, as the judge mulled whether to officially issue a stay in the case's final order, hundreds of same-sex couples received marriage licenses from Wisconsin. 

Previously this year, the freedom to marry was reviewed by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in cases out of Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia. In the Utah and Oklahoma cases, the 10th Circuit affirmed the lower court ruling. A decision is still pending in Virginia.
As these cases are considered at the appellate level, decisions from federal appellate courts will multiply. We hope to win them all, expect to win many, and may even lose some. But our eyes, as always, are on the prize, and we are focused on making sure that elected officials, judges, and the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court all know that America is ready for the freedom to marry, and for them to do the right thing and bring the country to national resolution.
The national strategy has always been to win marriage nationwide in the Supreme Court, and the key to encouraging the Court to finish the job has always been to work the tracks of the Roadmap to Victory: growing public support, winning marriage in more states, and ending federal discrimination.

"Freedom to Marry’s aim is not just to get to the Supreme Court, but to win in the Supreme Court," Evan Wolfson said earlier this year. "As we reach the federal appellate courts with momentum and majority support in every region of the country, it’s clear that America is ready for the freedom to marry."

Over the past year, marriage supporters have celebrated as 28 consecutive rulings have been issued in favor of the freedom to marry, with no losses. Read about all 28 of those rulings HERE. 

And follow the more than 75 marriage cases working their way through the courts systems in 32 different states/territories with Freedom to Marry's Litigation resource.

Note: Media Partners at Freedom to Marry

Charlie Crist

Day 1 Ban LGBT Discrimination in Florida

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he will sign five executive orders on his first day back in office if he’s elected in November.

Crist made the announcement Tuesday.

He also said he would sign orders banning discrimination against gay and transgender employees at agencies under his control and their contractors, and another to require equal pay for women.

Crist served as a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011 and is now running as a Democrat.

Glorious Johnson - Jacksonville City Council District 9

Glorious Johnson is a native of Jacksonville, FL and has always called it home. She is an active member The Greater El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Church. Glorious taught many years in the Duval County School System. This was a fantastic opportunity for her to help the children of the Jacksonville community learn and grow. For over 35 years, she taught children and adults reading, writing, mathematics, and science in her home.  When she left teaching, she received a very treasured award: an Honorary Life Membership from the Florida Parent/Teacher Association. 

Glorious Johnson received her Bachelor Degree from Jacksonville University in Music Education, her first Master Degree was from Nova University in School Administration and Supervision (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and her second Master Degree came from Columbia University/Teachers College (New York City) majoring in Educational Administration/Organizational Leadership. She also received the required courses for certification in Psychology from Edward Waters College to work as a mental health therapist.

Glorious, is the proud mother of one daughter, Stephanie and one grandson.  Glorious is a recipient of the Women in Public Policy Fellowship affiliated with the Nelson A. Rockefeller Graduate School of Public Affairs and Policy, University of Albany, State University of New York. She participated and attended hearings, workshops, and seminars on issues related to labor, education, aging, health care, childcare, welfare reform policies and women and minority owned business enterprises.

Glorious Johnson was appointed by the former Governor, Charlie Christ, to serve on the Florida Status of Women Committee.  She was also appointed by the former United States Senator, Mel Martinez, to serve on the U.S. Middle District Nomination Commission.

Glorious is a well-known motivational speaker and former professor. She loves to inspire and encourage individuals and groups to possess the determination and desire in achieving their goals. She has spoken to small and large groups from 1 to 53,000. She has spoken at churches, civic associations, public and private schools, workshops and seminars on issues from education to politics.

While counseling students at Jones College, Florida Metropolitan University, presently named Everest University, she would say to them that they must remove the words ‘can’t’, ‘could have’, ‘would have’, ‘should have’, from their vocabulary. Many of her former students are now in the fields of medicine, law, education, engineering, financial executives, science, psychology, management, entrepreneurs, and government.  She is writing her book about her experiences in the political world. Hopefully, it will help others who have the desire to be a public servant.

Glorious Johnson has stated that she is a supporter of an fully inclusive HRO for Jacksonville and wishes to sponsor the bill.

Former and Present Community and Civic Activities

• Office of the Governor, Charlie Christ, appointed Council Member Glorious Johnson to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women
• Office of the United State Senate, Senator Mel Martinez, appointed Council Member Glorious Johnson to the United States Middle District of Florida Nomination Commission
• Council President Ronnie Fussell appointed CM Johnson to the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors
• Member of the Board of Director of Northeast – Florida League of Cities
• Appointed to Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (USS Adam) Naval Ship Museum Board of Directors
• Women Elected in Municipal Government
• DWIN – Democratic Women’s Information Network
• The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• Florida First Coast Chapter of The National Business League
• The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa-Alpha Gamma Chapter (Teachers and Educators)
• Salvation Army Board of Directors
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Leadership Jacksonville 2006
• Emily’s List
• National Association of Black Women In Construction
• League of Women’s Voters Jacksonville First Coast
• MADDADS – President, Women’s Division 
• Northeast Florida Sickle Cell Association
• National Council of Negro Women
• LULAC – League of United Latin American Citizens
• Community Council for Sister to Sister Heart Foundation
• Facilitator for Parent Help Center
• THORMINC Ministry
• Zone Five ShAdCo Community Organization
• The Southeast Region Community Economic Development Association, Inc., Co-Founder

 Certification

• Certificate of Completion for attending the Citizens Police Academy, presented by Sheriff John Rutherford 
  

USS Adams Museum

The city's Waterways Commission voted unanimously last week to approve the request by the Downtown Development Authority to oversee the Development and Licensing Agreement to operate the USS Adams Museum at the Shipyards Property.

The mission is to make the USS Adams into a museum and re-create every moment of a sailor's life at sea. According to plans, it will be equipped with a cafe and, eventually, a bed and breakfast.

Mayor Alvin Brown and other city, state and national leaders have all given the stamp of approval to the project. The Navy will release the ship once final funding is secured. At that time, the warship will be restored prior to coming home to Jacksonville. The USS Charles F. Adams Naval Warship Museum is expected to open to the public in early 2015.

The proposal will next go before the City Council Finance Committee and a full City Council vote expected on August 12.

NOTE: As we and our Xtra's will notice the sources says shipyards which are located on the Northbank but the photo above shows the USS Adams on the Southbank. So at this point it is anyone's guess. Sounds like there will be some competition for the Jaguar's Owner Shipyard Development Project.

North Carolina Attorney General Drops Gay Marriage Ban Defense

Attorney General Roy Cooper said at a news conference Monday that the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling means North Carolina’s constitutional ban on gay marriage likely will be overturned.

He says it’s time for attorneys representing the state to “stop making arguments we will lose.”

The 4th Circuit court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled Monday that Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.

"Our attorneys have vigorously argued this case every step of the way," Cooper said during a press conference Monday. "But the 4th Circuit has ruled and the 4th Circuit is clear. There are really no arguments left to be made."

Cooper said there were four lawsuits against the state on the gay marriage ban, and that North Carolina's law was similar to the one in Virginia.

Orlando Unanimously Adds Transgender Protections

By David Vandygriff

Only moments ago the Orlando City Council updated its HRO to include transgender protections. The past HRO for Orlando included sexual orientation but not transgender protections.

Orlando was among the first cities in Florida to protect gay people from discrimination, but many others followed. Cities and counties that added that protection more recently, including Orange County in 2010, also included transgender people — someone born a man who identifies as a woman, or vice versa.

The city of Orlando has recently taken several steps to support the LGBT community. The city filed a court document supporting legalizing gay marriage and now is poised to better protect its transgender employees.

 "I think it's appropriate as we continue to try to promote diversity, fairness and equality in Orlando," Mayor Buddy Dyer said. "The cities that are going to be successful are the ones that are able to attract the young, smart entrepreneurs, the people who do startup companies and high-tech. And they want to live in socially progressive cities."

Monroe County Gay Marriage Case Request Movement to Florida State Supreme Court

Lawyers for two Monroe County men who won the right to marry asked an appeals court Monday to move the case directly to Florida's Supreme Court.

According to the attorneys, “a decision from the Supreme Court would also provide uniform direction and guidance to government, public and private entities throughout the state, including the judiciary, which make decisions on a daily basis with regard to the provision of benefits or rights to persons based in whole or in part on their marital status.”

“We’re filing in the court of appeal, a motion, in layman’s terms, to pass through the jurisdiction of the third District Court of Appeal and to send the case directly to the Florida Supreme Court,” Restivo told the Miami Herald. “It’s going to certainly bring this case quicker to finality. It’s going to apply this case, one way or another, to the entire state of Florida, once the Supreme Court rules on it.”

The Monroe County case mirrors one in Miami-Dade, in which Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel on Friday ordered that six same-sex couples also be allowed to marry.

It is likely that the Monroe and Miami-Dade cases will be appealed together and that whatever decision is reached by the appeals court will affect both.

Restivo said whichever side might lose at the Florida Supreme Court could then “petition the United States Supreme Court to take the case.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/28/4259312_keys-men-who-won-marriage-case.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/28/4259312_keys-men-who-won-marriage-case.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/28/4259312_keys-men-who-won-marriage-case.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/28/4259312_keys-men-who-won-marriage-case.html#storylink=cpy

Jaguars Sneak Peak at Shipyards Plans

The 40-acre site near EverBank Field has long laid desolate, but for the past year, Khan has expressed an interest in developing the site.

Shad Khan's plans for the Shipyards could include office, retail, residential and medical facilities — and perhaps a Ferris wheel, according to plans unveiled at a builders conference in Orlando.

During a presentation at the Southeast Building Conference, Orlando architect Don Evans laid out renderings he said he had designed for Shad Khan.

The city has not yet requested proposal for the property, which would be a necessary first step for any development to be done. Calls to the city were not immediately returned.

Below Photos of possible shipyard developments shown below:

US Court of Appeals: 4th Circuit Upholds Gay Marriage UNCONSTITUTIONAL

VICTORY!

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has affirmed that Virginia’s marriage ban is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today’s decision sends the message that loving couples like our plaintiffs – Tim Bostic & Tony London and Carol Schall & Mary Townley – are entitled to the same basic rights and protections as every other American.

Hollingsworth v. Perry, the AFER-led challenge to California’s Proposition 8, was the first lawsuit in which a federal court of appeals ruled in favor of marriage equality.
Today’s decision is monumental as it also paves the way for West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to strike down their marriage bans as those states fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by the Defendants is expected, and it will be costly.

Today In History

In 1821, Peru declared its independence from Spain.

In 1868, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all those born or naturalized in the United States, is adopted.
In 1945, a U.S. Army bomber crashed into the 79th floor of New York's Empire State Building, killing 14 people. The U.S. Senate ratified the United Nations Charter by a vote of 89-2.

In 1976, an earthquake devastated northern China, killing at least 242,000 people, according to an official estimate.

Final Workshop for Atlantic Beach HRO

By David Vandygriff

Tonight will mark months of hard work by many dedicated individuals & groups. From the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Florida, We Are Straight Allies, JASMYN, & the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality tonight is another important step towards equality.

Atlantic will be the first city in North Florida that will offer protections based upon sexual orientation & gender identity/expression if all goes well tonight to make way for a final vote on August 11, 2014. They'll be a chance for public comment and then a final reading of the ordinance.

After a failed attempt in 2012 to pass an amended human rights ordinance in Jacksonville, the Human Rights Groups of North Florida has been pushing for a revamped ordinance in Atlantic Beach since November 2013.

All groups are encouraging LGBT & Allies to attend tonight's Atlantic Beach City Council Workshop. Please wear RED to show support at Atlantic Beach City Hall 6:30pm.

Atlantic Beach City Hall
800 Seminole Rd
Atlantic Beach, FL
 

 FLORIDA SWEEPS NATIONALS EOY

By David Vandygriff

WOW what a weekend for Florida. Hats off to Josh Maywalt. Josh is Florida Regional EOY (Entertainer of the Year) Promoter. His team represented Florida in true fashion this weekend at EOY Nationals.

Josh was named Promoter of the Year for the EOY System. A huge congrats to Josh. Mr. Florida Regional EOY, Matt Strother won Mr. EOY 2014 and Miss Florida Regional EOY, Trinity Taylor won Miss EOY 2014. Florida swept the National Competition from beginning to end.

Thank you Josh Maywalt, Matt Strother, and Trinity Taylor for all of your hard work, dedication, and AMAZING representation.

Josh is the new owner of Miss National Pageantry System. Josh is responsible for the Miss National Pageantry revival which Tandi Andrews was the 1st crowned Miss National in 1984 in Atlanta, GA. Miss National will be held at the Parliament House in Orlando, FL January 15, 2015.

Rory Diamond for Neptune Beach City Council

Rory is a former federal prosecutor, avid surfer, and forever Neptune Beach resident. While serving in the White House on September 11, 2001, Rory witnessed firsthand the threat of international terrorism. Rory was given a commendation for his distinguished service on September 11th by the President, and subsequently, he assisted in founding the U.S. Office of Homeland Security. It was Rory's work in the U.S. government during a momentous period that led him down the road to a life in public service.

Thereafter, Rory served as briefing director to then-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger before attending law school, where he graduated with honors.

After several years in private practice, Rory left an international corporate law firm to serve as a federal prosecutor.  Rory prosecuted a variety of crimes ranging from gun and narcotics offenses to public corruption.  In his role in law enforcement, Rory focused upon impactful prosecutions aimed at rescuing high-crime communities from the grips of drug dealers, gang leaders, and violent criminals.  In addition, Rory took on child pornographers and is well known for his life-long mission to see every sexual predator in prison.

After seeing the near riots in Jacksonville Beach last summer and witnessing an increase in crime in Neptune Beach (including multiple property crimes at his home), Rory determined to seek a position on the Neptune Beach City Council.  More than any other issue, he is passionate about keeping Neptune Beach safe and friendly.

Moreover, Rory has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation and is uniquely positioned to serve Neptune Beach as we are threatened with the City of Jacksonville violating the Inter-Local Agreement and in managing our small, but proud, city’s scarce resources effectively.

Rory is passionate about our town, loves our beach, and will work tirelessly to keep our community safe and friendly.   In 2009, Rory’s father passed away, after which his mother, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew all moved to our community to live near him.  He serves on the board of K9s for Warriors, providing veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with trained service dogs.  In addition, Rory is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2014, he was appointed to serve on the Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee helping fight crime in the most at-risk areas in Duval County, and serves as a legal advisor to the Friends of Jacksonville Animals.

Rory loves to talk about Neptune Beach and the challenges facing our community.  You can often find him walking his rescue dog “Barron” up First Street or working on Friday's from his home away from home, Lillie's Coffee Bar.  Feel free anytime to say hello, or email Rory at rory@rorydiamond.com.  His phone number is 891-5011.