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http://www.indynews.4t.com/0319/features2.html
Independent Gay News
Guest Column: Let's Stand Behind the Line in the Sand with Jim Davis
By Jim Stork
Over the last several months, I've met and become friends with Michael Schiavo.
In one of my earliest conversations with him we realized somethingimportant. It was obvious that the same group of people who attacked Michael and exploited his family tragedy for political gain are fighting to denyGLBT people basic civil rights.
And more than being the same people, they were using the same tactics - innuendo, character attacks, moral certainty and religious passion - and hadthe same crass motives - pure power politics.
We talked about how the same people who fight all day to keep same sexcouples from visiting their partners in hospitals, camped out all night atMichael's home to make sure his decisions about his wife were not honored.
Going down the list of what these people are doing makes their motivesstarkly clear. What they really want - from what they did to the Schiavofamily, what they want to do to GLBT families and rolling back the clock on health care - is to run your life by their rules.
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http://www.indynews.4t.com/0319/local5.html
Today's Date:September 21, 2006
Klein Fundraiser Takes in 20,000 Gay Dollars
By Paul Harris
PHarris@ourindy.com
With just 55 days to go before the election in November when a new House of Representatives will be elected, Ron Klein met with gay supporters twice inas many days in Fort Lauderdale.
The first occasion was at a GLCC rally and the second was at the home of JoeBarnett and Dan Hellman where a total of $20,000 was raised in a couple ofhours. The fundraiser was organized in part by the Human Rights Campaign(HRC).
Marty Rouse, who is the organization's national field director, explainedthat they get involved in those elections where they feel they can make areal difference. Klein's opponent in Congressional District 22, which runsup the coast from Dania up through Palm Beach County, is Clay Shaw who has a very poor record when it comes to gay rights.
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http://www.indynews.4t.com/0319/palmbeach1.html
Focus on Continuation of Coverage Benefit
By Donald Cavanaugh
Palm Beach County Editor
dcavanaugh@ourindy.com
Following its success with West Palm Beach (see story), the Palm BeachCounty Human Rights Council (the Council) has decided to focus attention onthe continuation of health coverage for surviving partners of unmarriedemployees throughout the county.
"Over the years, the loss of health insurance coverage following the deathof a partner has been frequently brought to the Council's attention," saidDan Hall, Council treasurer and intake coordinator. "The Council is nowstressing the importance of the continuation of coverage benefit whenever wework with an employer on domestic partner issues.
In July, both the County Tax Collector and the City of Delray Beachannounced that they will provide the full range of domestic partnerbenefits, including continuation of coverage, for their employees. TheCouncil has also requested that the County Office of the Clerk andComptroller extend their domestic partner benefits package to include continuation of coverage.
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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/21/news_pf/State/FAMU_turns_away_1_000.shtml
FAMU turns away 1,000 students for not paying
Denying them re-enrollment was tough but necessary, the school's interim president says.
By Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - More than 1,000 Florida A&M University students were turned away this fall for failing to pay their tuition and fees - a long-standingproblem that added $5-million in student debt to the historically blackcollege.
It wasn't an easy or popular decision to deny re-enrollment to the students,some of them seniors who had not paid for several semesters, interim FAMUpresident Castell Bryant told the Times editorial board Wednesday.
Bryant said she did it as part of her ongoing efforts to clean up years offinancial mismanagement, lax bookkeeping and other institutional woes before a permanent president is hired next year.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cbeating21sep21,0,4137182.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Bike-riding boys beat and stab homeless man in Fort Lauderdale
By Macollvie Jean-François & Sofia Santana
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 21, 2006, 11:00 AM EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE -- A group of young boys attacked a homeless man who was sitting on a bench at Esplanade Park Wednesday night, inflicting seriousinjuries, police said. It was the second attack on helpless homeless peopleat the park by youth in eight months.
On Thursday, Sean Cononie, spokesman for the Homeless Voice, warned in anews release that "Fort Lauderdale is going to be known as the hate crimescapitol of the United States. Florida will once again be the most dangerousstate for homeless people in the United States."
Homeless advocates planned to alert the homeless to possible danger by passing out fliers and talking to them later this afternoon.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15568900.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Block rivalries take deadly turn for teens
BY DARRAN SIMON
dsimon@MiamiHerald.com
One night this summer, seven wakes were scheduled at McWhite's Funeral Home.
It's not out of the ordinary for the Fort Lauderdale funeral parlor, one ofBroward's busiest, to handle multiple services on one night.
But what was unusual this Friday night in July was that among the coffinslay two young boys shot and killed within hours of each other days earlier.
Sharod Smith, 15, and Casmo Hill, 17, had never met. But that night theirfathers, mothers and best friends were wound around a strand that tiesgrieving strangers. In one room, Sharod lay in a brown casket, dressed in awhite Perry Ellis suit, white tie and white socks. Sharod's teenage friends,some clad in white T-shirts with a picture of Sharod on them, spilled into ahall. They were mostly angry
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http://www.indynews.4t.com/0319/local2.html
Today's Date:September 21, 2006
Blood Drive Held At New Moon
For the third time since it opened the New Moon Bar on Wilton Drive inWilton Manors has hosted a "drive" to encourage lesbians to contributeblood. A regular of the popular bar, Jackye Goldner, who works with Florida's Blood Centers as a Donor Development Coordinator, spoke with Carl Moran whoowns the bar and set up the event. Gay men are not allowed to donate bloodunder the current rules but lesbians are not only allowed to, but, as theevent showed, encouraged to take part.
Speaking with The Independent Goldner said that after the blood drawn istested it is normally used within 48-72 hours to help patients in need oftransfusions. The typical donor gives 1 pint of blood per session. (Thehuman body contains between 10 and 12 pints and new blood is created within24 to 48 hours to replace that donated.)
There are relatively few criteria for lesbians who want to donate blood.They should be healthy and over 110 pounds in weight. It is suggested thatthose giving blood should have a healthy meal and consume plenty of fluidsbefore making their donation. A donor can give blood up to six times a yearand be over 16 years of age. Jackye said that the oldest donor she was awareof who donates blood in the Fort Lauderdale area is a 93 year old man.
While at the venue "The Independent" got to speak with Lisa Carman who wasin one of the Blood Donor trucks donating blood under the watchful eye ofCharles, the phlebotomist. She told us that she has been a blood donor"since I was a teenager 25 to 30 years ago." It takes about 20 minutes intotal to give blood.
Donors do not have to wait until the New Moon has their next blood drive. Togive blood sooner, go to www.FloridasBloodCenters.org for more information.
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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/21/news_pf/Opinion/Fix_the_death_penalty.shtml
Fix the death penalty
Making Florida's capital punishment system more uniform and accurate shouldbe the goal of anyone who cares about justice.
A Times Editorial
Published September 21, 2006
Broward County's Frank Lee Smith spent 14 years on death row for a crimethat DNA evidence finally determined he did not commit. Smith died of cancerprotesting his innocence even as the state pushed for his execution. Hiscase is not unique. With 22 death-row inmates exonerated, Florida leads thenation in the number of capital convictions that didn't hold up upon furtherscrutiny. All told, this group spent 150 years in prison before being set free.
Even to supporters of capital punishment, this fact should cause somediscomfort. When the proportion of inmates exonerated equals more than 30percent of the number executed, there is something about the system that needs fixing.
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http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060921/LOCAL/209210367&template=printart
Article published Sep 21, 2006
Sep 21, 2006
Hill executed, but leaves legal questions behind
By NATHAN CRABBE
Sun staff writer
RAIFORD - Clarence Hill was injected with a lethal dose of drugs Wednesdayevening, ending his life and the claim that the execution method amounts totorture.
The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly rejected a stay of execution hours before the sentence was carried out. Hill's attorney, Todd Doss of Lake City, said the justices missed the chance to resolve questions about the lethal injection method.
"I'm baffled why they would want this to keep coming up," he said.
Hill showed no visible signs of suffering during the execution at FloridaState Prison. He had claimed the drugs could have left him awake but paralyzed, preventing him from expressing excruciating pain before dying.
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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2006/09/21/m18a_deathpenalty_edit_0921.html
A faulty death penalty
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Even those who want Florida to retain the death penalty must take seriouslythe American Bar Association's multi-count indictment of the state's capital-punishment system.
Few issues in the study, which the ABA released last week, are new. Thisreport, however, raises them all. For critics of the system, among them thisnewspaper, the collective weight of the problems is reason enough forFlorida to abolish capital punishment. For death-penalty supporters, however, the continued refusal to fix the problems effectively willeliminate capital punishment because so many death sentences won't stand up in court.
The study begins with the most searing evidence of the system's failures:Nearly two dozen Death Row inmates in Florida have been exonerated, the mostin any state.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pendorse21sep21,0,6045797.story?coll=sfla-news-palm
Voters Coalition of Palm Beach County endorses Davis
By Maria Herrera
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 21, 2006
The nonpartisan Voters Coalition of Palm Beach County endorsed U.S. Rep. JimDavis for governor on Wednesday.
"He was the more qualified of the two," Voters Coalition chairman BobNewmark said.
Daryl Jones, running on Davis' Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor,was there to receive the coalition's blessings over their Republicanopponent, Attorney General Charlie Crist.
"They have tremendous credibility," Jones said of the coalition. "They wantto endorse people who want to do the right thing."
In the U.S. Senate race, the coalition endorsed incumbent Bill Nelson, aDemocrat, over challenger Rep. Katherine Harris. In congressional races, thegroup endorsed U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce, over challenger TimMahoney and state Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, over incumbent Clay Shaw,R-Fort Lauderdale.
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http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBX2I1ICSE.html
Bill Targeted Rebel Flag, Leader Says
By WILLIAM MARCH The Tampa Tribune
Published: Sep 21, 2006
TAMPA - A former commander of the Florida Sons of Confederate Veterans says
a 2001 bill co-sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Kottkamp, Charlie Crist'srunning mate, was inspired by controversies over displays of the Confederatebattle flag.
The bill died because black legislators thought it was aimed at protectingthe flag, though proponents, including Kottkamp, deny that.
At the time the bill was filed, "nobody was asking to take down anything butConfederate monuments," said John Adams of Deltona, commander of the Floridadivision of the Sons of Confederate Veterans from 2000 to 2004.
Adams said the bill "wasn't Confederate-centric," but "it doesn't take arocket scientist to figure out that it was inspired by the attacks on Confederate monuments."
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15568873.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
CAMPAIGN 2006 | GOVERNOR'S RACE
A duel of interests over Crist's running mate
Republican candidate Charlie Crist's choice of a running mate has exposed the party to the special-interest fight between doctors and lawyers.
BY MARY ELLEN KLAS AND BETH REINHARD
breinhard@MiamiHerald.com
Attorney General Charlie Crist's mega-fundraiser with President Bush todayn Orlando reflects the tricky terrain that the Florida Republican Party hasentered as its candidate for governor welcomes the oft-maligned legalprofession into the GOP's big tent.
The fundraiser is being co-hosted by Democrat John Morgan, the media-savvyfounder of one of the largest and most advertised trial-lawyer firms in thestate and a law partner of Crist's running mate, Rep. Jeff Kottkamp. Thecampaign hopes to raise $4 million from the $25,000-a-person admission and aswanky cocktail party at the Ritz-Carlton.
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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/21/news_pf/State/Democrats__show_of_un.shtml
Democrats' show of unity lacks co-star
The last time Rod Smith and Jim Davis were in the same room was the Aug. 23 debate in Tampa.
ALEX LEARY and JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published September 21, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - It took Janet Reno two days. Tom Gallagher, two days. RodSmith - two weeks and counting.
Losers of hard-fought primary contests may want nothing to do with thevictor but are typically quick to show up at unity events that, with broadsmiles and firm handshakes, are designed to send a signal to voters andcampaign contributors that from here on out, it's the party that matters.
Yet Smith has yet to appear on stage with gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis,who won the Sept. 5 primary by 52,718 votes. Smith's absence raisesquestions about unity in the Democratic Party at a time when it is essentialfor a victory over Charlie Crist, a moderate Republican who this week flewaround the state to trumpet more than 100 Democrats who are supporting him.
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Mary-Jane Cunnignham is hosting her seventh Annual T-Dance tobenefit the Breast Cancer Treatment Center at Broward General Medical Center.She has raised over $20,000.00 for the center through this benefit during thepast six years.
This year's Benefit promises to be one of the best yet. And, with your help,who knows how much we can raise for this most worthwhile cause.
The T-Dance INFO is as follows:
The 7th Annual T-Dance to Benefit the
Breast Cancer Treatment Center at Broward General Medical Center
Sun. Sept. 24, 2006 ~ Elements Nightclub ~ from 3:00 - 7:00 PM
This event will feature a complimentary buffet, half-priced drinks,entertainment, dancing, auctions, raffles, 50/50 drawing, door prizes, etc.
Admission~$10
Elements is located at 3073 NE 6th., Avenue, Wilton Manors, FL
Ph: 954-567-2432
For further information or to donate contact Mary-Jane Cunningham at
954-772-4947,
or by e-mail at maryjanesings@aol.com
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This Friday night at 6:00 pm, please share in this special moment of No MoreNames! at the 2006 United States Conference on AIDS. New panelsmemorializing the lives of those lost to AIDS will be presented and becomepart of The Quilt.
Along with a team of activists, I have been given the honor to serve as teamcaptain in presenting a panel representing many beloved lives lost to AIDS.
When: Friday, September 22, 2006 at 6:00 PM
Where: Weston Diplomat Hotel
3555 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 602-6000
Room: Great Hall, Great Hall Level, Convention Center
Learn how to mobilize your community to End AIDS!
Michael Emanuel Rajner
Founding Member - Campaign to End AIDS - Florida
National Secretary - Campaign to End AIDS
Telephone: (954) 272-8131 . (305) 677-3506
Cellular: (954) 288-1999
visit: www.aidsvote.org
and www.CampaignToEndAIDS.org
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The Independent Gay News
http://www.indynews.4t.com/
Candidates Night
After the success earlier this year of The Independent/GLCC candidates'night, The Independent has teamed up again with the GLCC to invite all thecandidates for public office to come to speak to the electors and to answerquestions (where appropriate). The event is going to be held at the GLCC,1717 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, on Tuesday October 10 starting at6.30pm.
We are literally going to invite everyone running for everything from judgeto congressman to attend. We are inviting all the candidates irrespective ofparty affiliation . We believe that elections are far too important a partof the democratic process NOT to allow everyone the opportunity of hearingand meeting the various people offering themselves for public service.
We are inviting journalists from two other news organizations to joinMichael James, editor of The Independent, in questioning the candidates. Theexception to this is the candidates for judgeships. Because of the nature ofthe office that they are seeking and the fact that they can not (and shouldnot) reveal partisan opinions we shall ask them simply to make a briefaddress to those present as to why they are running to become judges.
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The Independent Gay News
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http://www.indynews.4t.com/0319/oped1.html
The Independent Banned!
The Independent, South Florida's leading gay newspaper, was banned fromattending and reporting upon a political event at which Republicancandidates for public office were invited to address and answer questionsfrom gay Republican voters. The Indy even wrote to Andy Eddy, the local LogCabin group's press liaison, offering to send one of its writers - who is aregistered Independent - to attend the meeting of the Broward Log CabinRepublicans. The meeting took place on Tuesday, September 19th at Clay Shaw'soffices at 1555 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.
Earlier this year when another meeting was announced we asked the BrowardLog Cabin Club's then Public Relations contact, Matthew Tsien, five times ifwe could attend. Not one request received a reply. Somewhat ironically theBroward Log Cabin Republican Club have complained at the lack of coveragethat Gay Republicans receive in this newspaper!
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The Independent Gay News
http://www.indynews.4t.com/
Get Well Soon Nicole!
Nicole Martin, Operations Manager at the GLCC, is taking the month of September off from working at the GLCC to recover from a procedure she underwent early in the month. The good news is that the procedure went well and she is going to be back at work at the beginning of October. Earlier this year The Independent was honored to present her with our "Straight Ally Of The Year Award." On behalf of all her friends within the gay community we wish her well and look forward to having her "back where she belongs," to quote Jerry Herman.
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The Independent Gay News
http://www.indynews.4t.com/
Today's Date: September 21, 2006 September 20, 2006
Fundraiser For Ken Keechl This Weekend
Staff Report
News@ourindy.com
The Dolphin Democrats are hosting a fundraiser for Ken Keechl at Georgie's Alibi in the heart of Wilton Manors on Sunday, September 24. He is running for a seat on the Broward County Commission against Republican Jim Scott.
Guests will receive their first drink free, and subsequent cocktails are two-for-one. Light fare will be served. A $25 contribution is suggested, although the laws allow contributions of up to $500. Those attending will also have the chance to register to vote, or sign up to receive absentee ballots.
Ken Keechl was until recently the president of the Dolphin Democrats, one of the largest Democratic clubs in the state. The host committee for the event includes Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton; Wilton Manors Commissioner Joe Angelo; former Wilton Manors Mayor Jim Stork; former Fort Lauderdale Vice-Mayor Dean Trantalis; and State Committeewoman Diane Glasser.
The district for which Keechl is running runs from Deerfield Beach to Dania Beach, and includes Wilton Manors and most of Oakland Park.
Visit www.Keechl2006.com for more information.
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http://www.indynews.4t.com/
The Independent Gay News
Today's Date:September 20, 2006
A Driving Force in Wilton
Manors
How GLBT Businesses have Transformed Wilton Drive
By Michael James
Editor
MJames@ourindependent.com
"We have a small town feel in Wilton Manors. That's what sets us apart,"says George Kessinger, proprietor of Georgie's Alibi. It's one of the fewremnants that remain of the city that was originally planned to be almostcompletely residential.
In the early 1920s Ned Willingham came to the area from Georgia with avision for a quiet little town. Wilton Boulevard would be lined with statelyhomes while businesses had to build elsewhere. When he started WiltonManors, most of the roads were named after Native American tribes.
In the 1930s Judge George Richardson bought over 40 acres and built a golfcourse in an area now known as Manor Grove. All that remains of theRichardson estate is the park baring his name sitting on a few acres at thesouth end of Wilton Drive. The golf course thrived until the 1950s.
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Come and be part of the special presentation on Community Mobilization and AIDS Vote
by Campaign to End AIDS - Florida
at the 2006 United States Conference on AIDS
When: Friday, September 22, 2006 from 3:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Where: Weston Diplomat Hotel
Hollywood, FL
Room: Diplomat 4, Grand Ballroom Level, Convention Center
Learn how to mobilize your community to End AIDS!
Michael Emanuel Rajner - PLWA
Founding Member - Campaign to End AIDS - Florida
National Secretary - Campaign to End AIDS
Telephone: (954) 272-8131 . (305) 677-3506
Cellular: (954) 288-1999
visit: www.aidsvote.org
and www.CampaignToEndAIDS.org
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