cityXtra Magazine

Reggie Fullwood for Florida House District 13: A Warning to other Political Candidates of Jacksonville

By David Vandygriff

With a 10.36% voter turn-out in what would have normally given a GOP Candidate a victory, the Democrat HRO Supportive Candidate won the race yesterday in Jacksonville. His opponent was a current City Councilman, Dr. Johnny Gaffney. We must say Gaffney is a Democrat but opposes a fully inclusive HRO in Jacksonville, by his voting record during the HRO 296. Gaffney was one person that changed his vote for the amended HRO 296 that resulted in LGBT being unprotected in Jacksonville. Fullwood not only won the race but beat Gaffney by double. WOW this should be a key indicator to other political candidates that the LGBT Voting Block is not to be ignored in Jacksonville. 

One cannot say that there was any major difference among the candidates, because both were democrats, both were African American, both work for the under privileged, both have community ties, etc. The ONLY factor one can see a stark contrasting difference is the support of the LGBT Community. Many have attempted to argue that the Silent Mayor Alvin Brown’s choice to not support the HRO was due to the lack of support within the African American Community. Well, we are seeing a huge movement within the African American Community in supporting a local HRO to include LGBT. 

As the Primaries of March 2015 quickly approach, the LGBT Community needs to be more focused, engaged, and supportive of the African American Community. These two communities coming together could result in the TRUE Grassroots Efforts needed to change our community from race relations to inequality within the LGBT community. 

Even with the growing support within the African American Faith Based Communities, the struggles remain apparent for the both communities. We are ALL HUMAN and Gay Rights – Civil Rights are Human Rights. 

What have you done to become engaged? Have you voted? Have you donated to a political campaign? Have you talked with a political candidate? Did you even know that Jacksonville has an OPENLY GAY City Council Candidate running for District 7 in 2015?