cityXtra Magazine

Duval Democrat Party

As we look back over the past 4 years in Duval County (Jacksonville, FL) we are left wondering why the leadership of Duval Democrat Party is stuck in the past. A celebration accordingly with the election of Jacksonville's first black mayor. An historical event to say the least. Even more historical was the LGBT voting block that came out to help elect Mayor Brown. 8,000 registered LGBT & Allies came out to vote for Mayor Brown. Mayor brown won by less than 2000 votes. Brown was the first democrat to be elected to the office of mayor since Ed Austin in 1991. This was a cause to celebrate for great city and Democrat Party.

However, the celebration seemed to phase into the typical Jacksonville politics during the HRO 296 battle. Mayor Brown sat on the side lines without any leadership on the issue of protecting the LGBT, the very individuals that were instrumental in electing him to office.

Brown's Campaign made many promises to the LGBT that never saw the day of light. Mayor Brown still refuses to take a stand on the issue and the leader of the Duval Democrat Party has stated that the HRO was a second term issue. Human Rights are NEVER a first nor second term type of issue. Human rights are just that human rights and should take priority to any city over politics.

As the mayor's race and city council races for 2015 kick into high gear the HRO is an out front issue being asked of all candidates. Bill Bishop has stated he is in full support of an HRO but Lenny Curry has only stated he would lead on the issue and took no stance in a simply YES or NO, just has Mayor Brown has continued to do. We can only guess they have both taken classes from our question none answering Governor Rick Scott.

The good people of Jacksonville deserve a simply yes or no answer concerning the HRO. The Democrat Party has been avoiding the issue by top leadership within the party. If the Duval Democrat Party was to adhere to the DNC National Platform then ALL politicians should be in full support on LGBT protections and Gay Marriage, but we have failed to see the leaders of the Duval Democrat Party step-up and out publicly to support both these issues. An epic failure of a party that is suppose to be supportive in protecting minorities. We must say from many conversations with some people in the Democrat party there are many that wish to see TRUE effective change and the embarrassing of a more progressive and supporting Democrat party.

Therefore, we must look across and within both parties for true leadership on LGBT issues in Jacksonville. We MUST not only look at D next to a candidates name but what the individual truly believes. We encourage our readers to call and sit down with the over 60 candidates and ask the questions directly to the candidates. Making our voices heard prior to elections and on election day via voting will ensure our issues are concern of all candidates.

Please don't sit by and simply vote D, don't sit by and NOT vote! 2015 is a year that we change the direction of Jacksonville for generations to come.