khalista

Tampa Bay's pride is on the line
By Jay Cridlin

This past week has seen a renewed spotlight on gays and lesbians in the bay area, triggered by complaints over a Gay Pride Month library display. We catch you up with this timeline of the events.
May 31: Meagan Albright, a graduate student in library science at the University of South Florida, installs a 20-book display for Gay and Lesbian Pride Month at West Gate Regional Library in Town 'N Country, where she works part-time.
June 6: Albright's display is dismantled, due to what library officials called a "misunderstanding." Several people had complained about the display.
June 8: Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms addresses the issue during a budget workshop meeting. "It's not appropriate for the library to be introducing issues of sexuality to people's children without their consent," Storms says, according to a workshop transcript. "I do not want to have to explain to my daughter what it means to be questioning one's sexuality ... or what a transgender person is or what a bisexual is or what a gay or lesbian is. That is inappropriate."
June 15: At a County Commission meeting, Storms asks the county to "abstain from acknowledging, promoting and participating in gay pride recognition and events, little g, little p." Thirteen people, including commissioner Kathy Castor and strip club owner Joe Redner, call the policy "stifling," "homophobic," "abhorrent," "unAmerican," "mean-spirited" and "a dangerous road paved with inequality, censorship and bias." Such comments draw applause from the crowd. But the measure passes by a wide margin, as does a follow-up measure stating that the policy could be repealed only with a 5-2 supermajority vote.
June 16: Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio condemns the county's new policy. "Gays and lesbians are part of our diversity and deserve our respect," she says during a public art benefit breakfast in Tampa. "We should build on tolerance, not intolerance."
June 20: The backlash express roars from the station when a raucous, sweltering crowd of 700 packs Metropolitan Community Church in Tampa in outrage over the county's new policy. "What they're trying will not work," says Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, which organized the event. "We should be enraged by what happened, but let's couple that rage with resolve." Breakout groups come up with ideas for action: public book readings and film screenings; a portrait studio for gay and lesbian families; checking out gay-themed library books; protesting outside the county center; and showing up en masse to the next County Commission meeting on July 20. A march from the John F. Germany Library to the county center is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday (6/26).
June 21: In an interview with tbt*, Storms says the issue is not discrimination, but rather whether the county should promote gay pride, "and by extension, the gay agenda." She says that's not in the county's best interests and that most county residents would probably agree. "The gay community has really laid their cards on the table," Storms says. "They believe that gay pride constitutes not just tolerance and human dignity, but it means the government must actively promote their position." Charges that the policy is homophobic or unAmerican, she says, are tantamount to "fear-mongering and hate-mongering" by nonprofit gay rights groups seeking to energize their base and raise money. The issue "doesn't need to be belabored," she says, adding: "It divides the community."
Castor, on the other hand, told tbt* she was disappointed the board reached a decision "without any interest in having a dialogue about it." "We need to be viewed as an open community," she said. "I would hope this doesn't do any damage to our reputation."
- Jay Cridlin cridlin@tampabay.com Information from tbt* files was used in this report.

Gay Display At Library Pulled, Then Smaller Version Allowed
By JULIE PACE jpace@tampatrib.com
Published: Jun 9, 2005

TAMPA - As a graduate student in library science at USF, many of Meagan Albright's assignments involve creating special book displays. Several of her projects, on topics ranging from hurricanes to women's health, have been displayed at West Gate Regional Library, where Albright is a part-time librarian.
She's not used to her displays being yanked down after complaints and then resurrected in a much smaller version tucked away in the back of the library.
That's what happened after Albright's latest project, on prominent literature by gays, was installed near the Town 'N Country library's main entrance this month. June is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, and Albright's display included several books with gay themes and characters, a suggested reading list and a large poster with photographs of famous gays.
As with all of her projects, Albright consulted with her supervisors at West Gate and received approval.
The display, however, did not have the support of some library patrons.
Hillsborough County's chief librarian, Jean Peters, said the library received three complaints about the display's content in three days. Peters went to the library Monday afternoon, and after discussing the content and quality of the display with library programming staff, Peters told West Gate to take it down.
That decision sparked more complaints, and on Wednesday, Peters allowed the library to put up the display again; however, the new version is much smaller and has been moved from the front to the back of the facility.
Peters insists it was the quality of the display - and not its content - that spurred the county's decision.
``It looked like somebody's school project, just a couple of poster boards taped together,'' Peters said. ``It really wasn't the most professional presentation.''
Albright, who said she received an A for the project in her master's course, said West Gate staff never complained about the quality of her less- controversial projects. She thinks the county is using the quality issue as an excuse to cover up concern over the topic.
Peters said the county did not intend to discriminate against anyone, but she did acknowledge that parental complaints concerning content were the impetus for the county's initial discussion of the display.
``We're just trying to be sensitive because it's a sensitive topic to people on both sides,'' Peters said.
Bart Birdsall, a library science student at USF and mentor for gay teenagers, called the library's decision a disservice to the public.
``People are always so worried that children know gay people exist,'' Birdsall said. ``This is an issue that most people can handle, but administrations get so nervous.''
Parents had mixed reactions to West Gate's modified display. Jessie Martinez, a mother of four children under the age of 9, uses the library several times a week and does not want the display there.
``It's a parent's decision as to when to discuss this issue,'' Martinez said. ``I know it's in the media and on TV all the time, but we have the option to turn the TV off.''
Melinda Smith, who took her 16-year-old son to West Gate on Wednesday, said keeping the display is a way of respecting other people's lifestyles.
``This is a part of life,'' Smith said. ``You can't keep your children sheltered from reality.''
Parents were not the only people talking about the matter. County commissioners got involved during their meeting Wednesday.
Commissioner Ronda Storms said tax-supported libraries ``shouldn't be used as a bully pulpit to introduce these issues'' to children, including her 6-year-old daughter. She vowed to put the issue on a commission agenda.
Commissioner Kathy Castor weighed in, too. ``I would hope this board would not use this dais to promote discrimination and micromanage the library.''
Commission Chairman Jim Norman said the board ``took a very, very strong stand'' years ago against the arts council promoting homosexuality.
``You vote your voice; we will vote ours,'' Norman said to Castor.
Reporter Mark Holan contributed to this report. Reporter Julie Pace can be reached at (813) 865-1505

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2005

Hillsborough Commission Passes Anti-Gay Censorship Policy Equality Florida and NCLR Condemn Commission for Discriminating

(Tampa, FL) Sparking outrage among human rights organizations, the Hillsborough County Commission voted Wednesday to bar county agencies from recognizing or participating in Gay Pride Month or any events that portray gay people in a positive light.

The commissions actions today are an attack on gay people, an insult to the entire community and a national embarrassment for our state, said Nadine Smith, Equality Floridas Executive Director, who addressed the commission at Wednesdays meeting. The Commission is supposed to represent all members of the Hillsborough community. This policy is discriminatory and will not go unchallenged. We are calling on all fair-minded people to stand with us as we fight this censorship and stand up for equality."

Equality Florida and the National Center for Lesbian Rights are considering egal action to challenge the discriminatory policy and an emergency town hall meeting is scheduled to organize a community response.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday evening at MCC Church 408 E. Cayuga Street in Tampa. For more information on how you can help, please call Vonn New at Equality Florida 813-870-3735.

The commissions actions come on the heels of a dispute regarding the removal of a display at the West Gate Regional Library highlighting gay and lesbian literature. The display was created in recognition of Gay Pride month.

"They've gone beyond censoring us in the library to censoring us in the community," said Karen Doering, an attorney with NCLR and legal advisor to Equality Florida. "Gay and lesbian people are equal members of the Hillsborough community and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The Commission should be protecting and unifying the community, not singling out a particular group for discrimination. This action is offensive and harmful not just to gay people, but to everyone who cares about equality."

Out of hundreds of library visitors, only three people complained about the content of the main-lobby display over the course of several days. The countys chief librarian, Jean Peters, visited the library and demanded the display be removed. When the removal of the books sparked an outcry, the library allowed a much smaller display to be shown in the back of the library.

The policy introduced by longtime anti-gay antagonist Ronda Storms revents Hillsborough county agencies from giving equal recognition to local events that present gay people in a positive light, including Gay Pride Month. The commission went even further and voted 6-1 to prevent the new policy from being repealed except by a super majority vote of the commission following a public hearing.

Dozens of community residents wearing pro-Equality stickers crowded the hearing to oppose the Storms proposal.

Commissioner Kathy Castor was the only commissioner to speak out against the measure.

"Government should not be in the business of promoting discrimination," said Castor before casting the only vote in opposition.

Equality Florida is Floridas largest statewide human rights organization working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. Through education and advocacy, the organization is dedicated to building a state of equal rights for all Floridians, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national law firm with a primary ommitment to advancing the rights and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families.

Storms Defends New Policy, Doubts Economic Backlash
By MARK HOLAN mholan@tampatrib.com
Published: Jun 23, 2005

TAMPA - Commissioner Ronda Storms said Wednesday the suggestion Hillsborough County's new policy of not recognizing gay pride will hurt the Bay area's image or economy is a ``red herring.''
``The question is whether Hillsborough County should promote gay pride, and the answer to the question is, `No,' '' Storms said during an interview in her office.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce board of directors this morning is expected to discuss the policy championed by Storms. Chamber President Kim Scheeler and Chairman Sam Ellison each refused to comment on the policy last week when questioned by The Tampa Tribune, but some members say the issue can't be ignored.
David Caton, executive director of Florida Family Association and a leader in the 1995 repeal of the sexual orientation provision in the county's Human Rights Ordinance, also downplayed the economic impact of protests by gays.
A decade ago, ``people said they were going to do this, and they were going to do that, and the travel went up phenomenally,'' Caton said. ``It had zero effect on people traveling to this community.''
A few people have suggested the county policy could keep Tampa from hosting the 2009 Super Bowl.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league office is aware of the situation, but ``it's an issue for Hillsborough County to resolve.''
Storms said the county policy has nothing to do with discrimination.
``Discrimination and promotion are two entirely different things,'' she said.
``You can respect somebody's human dignity and treat them with courtesy, but I'm still not going to promote what you do.''
Caton's group launched a counteroffensive of e-mails late Tuesday thanking commissioners for the new policy.
``Most people believe that homosexual behavior is unnatural, harmful and offensive,'' the e-mails said.
``Therefore, promoting a sense of pride in such an offensive lifestyle would be inappropriate and irresponsible.''
Commissioner Kathy Castor voted against the policy.
Gay activists say they want to reinstate sexual orientation in the county's Human Rights policy.
Caton said he may launch a new effort to repeal sexual orientation protection in the city's Human Rights Ordinance during the November 2006 general election or the March 2007 city election.
That would be divisive, said Mayor Pam Iorio, who has been outspoken against the county policy.
``I am completely opposed to that idea,`` Iorio said. ``That is one of the worst ideas I've heard in a long time. It would be met with tremendous opposition if it's attempted.''
Reporter Ellen Gedalius contributed to this report. Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

City Pulled Into County's Gay-Pride Controversy
By ELLEN GEDALIUS and MARK HOLAN The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jun 23, 2005

TAMPA - Al Giraud says the Hillsborough County Commission discriminated against him when the board voted last week to refuse to acknowledge, promote or participate in gay pride events.
Giraud, who is gay, was angered that gay pride displays were removed from the John F. Germany Public Library. That, he says, is discrimination.
So he filed a complaint against Hillsborough County.
With the city.
Because the library is in the city.
Under the city's human rights ordinance, people are protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In the county, they are not.
Giraud should know: He is a member of the county's Human Relations Board, the county group that reviews complaints made under the human rights ordinance.
``I believe the removal of the gay pride display by the county is discriminatory against me,'' Giraud said. ``It deprives me of my privileges and advantages of that library, which is protected by city code. The county is discriminating against me in the city.''
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms proposed the policy last week after some parents complained about a Gay Pride Month display at the West Gate Regional Library. The display was taken down, along with two similar ones at the John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive.
Whether the city can investigate Giraud's complaint is murky, City Attorney David Smith said. The city first must determine whether it has the authority to investigate a complaint made against another government.
Also at issue is the fact that although the John F. Germany library is in downtown Tampa, the city leases the building to the county under a special act of the state Legislature dating to the 1980s. The county runs the library system.
County Attorney Renee Lee was unaware of the complaint late Wednesday but also questioned whether the city's human rights office has jurisdiction over the county. She also said it could be too early for a complaint to be filed because the county hasn't developed its policy.
Giraud also says the county's new policy refusing to recognize gay pride may conflict with the mission of the county's Human Relations Board.
According to its four-page rules of conduct, the board ``shall advocate for and take positive action to eliminate prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination'' in the county.
``To me, the [new] policy statement is intolerant,'' Giraud said.
He wants Human Relations Board Chairman Thomas Britten to call a special meeting on the issue.
``I want some clarification,'' Giraud said. The county's new policy ``seems like a conflict if we are supposed to be advocating against discrimination.''
Giraud participated in Monday's rally of gay activists at the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, informing people about the two boards.
He is human resources director at University Village retirement center in Tampa.
Giraud was nominated to the Human Relations Board in June 2004 by Commissioner Kathy Castor
The rules say that volunteer members of the board can be removed without cause by the county commission.
``Since I'm outing myself, I wonder how much longer I'll be on the board,'' Giraud said.
Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or
Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com. Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

Gay Activists Disappointed By Chamber Reaction
By MARK HOLAN mholan@tampatrib.com
Published: Jun 23, 2005

TAMPA - Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sam Ellison read a four- sentence statement at the start of Thursday's board of directors meeting saying diversity is a ``core value'' of the business group and his company, The Beck Group.
``We embrace it, not only because it's the right thing to do, but we've all learned that diversity of all kinds is good for business, too,'' Ellison said.
After a week of silence, that's about all Ellison and the chamber had to say on Hillsborough County's new policy of refusing to recognize gay pride.
Ben Wacksman, CEO of Capital Realty Investors, suggested the chamber make a stronger statement on the issue in a letter to the county.
But he got no support.
Attorney Fredrick McClure, a member of the chamber's executive committee, said a letter would be ``a step in creating a conflict where one doesn't exist.''
The discussion was over as quickly as last week's county commission vote: about five minutes. Some late arriving television and radio crews missed the exchange, which the chamber had considered keeping behind closed doors.
One representative from the handful of gay activists who showed up at the chamber's Channelside offices was allowed inside the meeting. The activists said they were disappointed by the statement.
``I would have hoped for a stronger statement to have specifically addressed this issue, said Michael Brill, president of the Tampa Bay Business Guild, a group of gay and gay-friendly businesses. ``I really think they hope this just goes away.''
Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7691

Greetings,
In an outrageous act of bigotry, the Hillsborough County Commission voted yesterday to bar county agencies from recognizing or participating in Gay Pride Month or any events that portray gay people in a positive light. We need your help to respond.
Now we are hearing about similar censorship efforts being launched in other counties.
The policy is an attack on gay people, an insult to the entire community and a national embarrassment for our state. This policy is discriminatory and will must challenge it.
The commissions actions came on the heels of a dispute regarding the removal of a display at the West Gate Regional Library highlighting gay and lesbian literature. The display was created in recognition of Gay Pride month.
Out of hundreds of library visitors, only three people complained about the content of the main-lobby display over the course of several days. The countys chief librarian, Jean Peters, visited the library and demanded the display be removed. When the removal of the books sparked an outcry, the library allowed a much smaller display to be shown in the back of the library.
Commissioner Ronda Storms, a longtime anti-gay antagonist, introduced the policy. And despite the dozens of us who crowded the chambers in opposition, the Commission passed the proposal. It prevents Hillsborough county agencies from giving equal recognition to local events that present gay people in a positive light, including Gay Pride Month. To make things even worse, the commission went on to vote 6-1 to prevent the new policy from being repealed except by a super majority vote of the commission following a public hearing.
Before casting the only "No" vote, Commissioner Kathy Castor stated "Government should not be in the business of promoting discrimination."
Thanks to all our members who spoke up at the hearing made calls and emailed commissioners. The fight has just begun. We hope to see you on Monday.

Sincerely,
Nadine Smith
Executive Director