FLORIDA DIGEST September 08, 2007

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.



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Broward Introduction to Florida Red And Blue!!!!

This is your chance to fight the right-wing state-wide anti-gay initiativeto amend the Florida constitution.

Friday, September 28, at the GLCC, Ft. Lauderdale - 11:45am to 1:30pm.

Michael and I have promised to get a minimum of 10 people to attend thislow dollar boxed lunch - only $25 - to learn about Florida Red And Blue andthe multiple efforts to overcome this hateful amendment. Florida Red andBlue has already raised over $1 million, but our work is only beginning.

Will you support us with this? Every GLBT person in Florida needs to be apart of this effort.

Boxed Lunch Series
$25
Friday, September 28
Noon - 1:30pm
Networking 11:45am
GLCC - Ft. Lauderdale

Send us an e-mail and let us know if you'll join us on the 28th.

Ray and Michael
rays.list@comcast.net



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Forwarded from Jesse Monteagudo
JesseMonteagudo@aol.com

For more information phone (954) 763-8565.

Stonewall Library Book Club meeting moves to October 25

The Stonewall Library and Archives' Book Club will hold its next meeting on Thursday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m., because of conflict with Stonewall's ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 18. Moderator Jesse Monteagudo ("The Book Nook") will lead a discussion of "Man in the Middle," former NBA star John Amaechi's provocative and inspiring autobiography. Membership in the Stonewall Library Book Club is free and Club meetings are open to the public. The Stonewall Library and Archives is located at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, 1717 North Andrews Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information phone SLA at (954) 763-8565.



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Broward Times

http://www.browardtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=478&Itemid=45

Lauderdale NAACP, local pastors at odds over gay rights
BY ELGIN JONES

Fort Lauderdale NAACP President Marsha Ellison and a group of black pastors took opposing sides at Fort Lauderdale City Hall this week on the issue of gay rights.

The dueling press conferences are the latest fallout from Mayor Jim Naugle’s recent criticism of gay sex in parks, public bathrooms and other public places in the city.

“All races are affected by AIDS – the young, the old, and a true leader seeks real problems and real solutions,” Ellison said on Wednesday, flanked by gay activists.

“The NAACP says this is not about AIDS, it is about his hate for the gay community and that’s why we’re here today,” said Ellison, who stood under a silk umbrella emblazoned in the rainbow colors of the gay community while the speakers she introduced made their cases.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, a predominantly black coalition of pastors met with Naugle at city hall, and held their own press conference to denounce gay sex.

“Broward County is on a collision course with Satan,” said Mathes Guice, an elder at Koinonia Worship Center, a black church based in Pembroke ark. “Christian men and women are going to have a revival here in Broward County because we cannot let sin prevail. We wholeheartedly support the mayor.”

The black pastors supported Naugle’s position during a closed-door session with the mayor and the press conference that followed. They vowed to do whatever it takes to fend off the campaign waged by gay activists against Naugle.



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"M-GROUP"
SATURDAY September 8, 2007

Hey Guys!

JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED YET IN THEM-GROUPS SATURDAYS.

The M group on Saturday is different than the UNCUT reality Groups on Thursdays.

M Group is a 3 hours Focus group about Prevention and Relationships.

HIV infection, safer sex and sexual encounter negotiations are discussed in a laid back, safe and comfortable environment.

It's a different approach with three hours full of laughs and fun.

Refreshments will be provided and a $20 gift certificate for those who attend.

Don't' miss this opportunity to M Power your self about this issue and at the same time meet new people and possibly make good friends.

Email us back or give us a call!

See You There!!!

M House: 2645 N Andrews Ave
Wilton Manors, FL 33311
Time: 1:00pm until 4:00pm
Half block north of 26th St on Andrews ave (left hand side if you are going north).
Still lost?...what about half mile south of Oakland park on Andrews Ave?...
Still lost?...please call me :) 954 806-1103

RSVP Phone: 954-618-0736



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Dania Beach

Liberty Suites on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfsrqnk0CCA#GU5U2spHI_4



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbgaybingo0908nbsep08,0,5701956.story

Gay bingo a popular draw at gay, lesbian center in Fort Lauderdale
Gay and Lesbian Center puts new spin on old game of chance
By Elizabeth Baier

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 8, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE

Say the word "gay" and "bingo" in the same sentence and images of the age-old game of chance disappear.

"This ain't your grandmother's bingo," said Marc Hansen — community activist, Fort Lauderdale resident, and bingo caller — between rounds at a recent bingo night at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

It's the second Saturday in August, but it very well could be February or June or September. Hansen has been calling the center's bingo on and off for seven years, and says the event is a fun, safe environment for the gay community, a smoke- and alcohol-free alternative to going to clubs and bars.

The monthly bingo games attract scores of men and women, gay and straight, locals and snowbirds — all armed with paper cards and colorful daubers, ready to be the lucky one to shout out BINGO.



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From Equality Florida

Brian Winfield, Communications Director, (727) 488-7799
Basher Get Probation in West Palm Beach Attack

(West Palm Beach) Equality Florida today condemned the “slap on thewrist” sentence given to an 18 year old who viciously beat atransgender women last year.

According to police reports, the teenager brutally assaulted atransgender woman with whom the he had sought to have sex until herealizes she was transgender. The attacker then left, only to returnagain to continue beating the victim, slamming her head into alifeguard stand, knocking out her teeth and covering her in blood.

Palm Beach County Juvenile Court Judge Peter Blanc, handed down thenominal sentence of four and a half months probation and agreed towithhold adjudication, meaning the attacker will serve no jail timeand will not have a conviction on his record.

“At a time when hate violence against gay and transgender people isan ignored epidemic in our state, Judge Blanc’s ruling send adisgraceful and dangerous signal that the lives of transgendercitizens are held in less regard,” said Nadine Smith, executivedirector for Equality Florida.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/229909.html

Posted on Sat, Sep. 08, 2007
Vegas games a step closer
BY MARY ELLEN KLAS AND AMY DRISCOLL

Gov. Charlie Crist is nearing completion on a deal to give the Seminole Tribe of Florida the first Las Vegas-style table games in the state, along with slot machines, in return for up to $200 million a year that would be earmarked for education.

The draft proposal, which became public Friday because of a records request made by The Miami Herald, limits the tribe to card games, such as baccarat and blackjack, and excludes the popular casino games roulette and craps.

It restricts the tribe to offering the games at its seven existing facilities but places no limit on how many slot machines they can have.

The draft doesn't say how much the state would receive in return for giving the tribe these privileges. Those details are still being hashed out, said George LeMieux, Crist's chief of staff and his top negotiators.

Barry Richard, a lawyer for the Seminoles, said the proposal would give the state $50 million immediately and a minimum of $100 million a year.

An additional percentage on top of the $100 million would be paid, based on a formula that takes into account which games are run and how much money the tribe makes, he said.

Another source close to the negotiations said that after the casinos ramp up they will generate $1 billion for the state over five years.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/229905.html

Posted on Sat, Sep. 08, 2007
Ken Jenne, arrogance and suckers
By BETH REINHARD

What's with South Florida's top cops and their lust for free luxury cars?

Amid the torrent of deceits that emerged from Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne's conviction this week on corruption charges was the revelation that his Mercedes-Benz convertible was financed by his former law firm but never disclosed on state ethics or federal tax forms. At one point, Jenne waved off the firm's offer to give him the title to the car because it would ''look bad in the press,'' according to court documents.

A similar survival instinct led Miami Police Chief John Timoney, confronted with pesky questions about a Kendall auto dealer giving him free use of a Lexus SUV, to hedge the truth. He later admitted a ''mistake'' and bought the car.

Their hubris is galling. You pay for your own ride? Sucker.

In Jenne's case, the car was part of a shameful pattern of accepting -- and pursuing -- freebies and favors. Time and time again, Jenne pocketed tens of thousands of dollars from people who depended on his good graces because they did business with his office. Sometimes he funneled the money through subordinates. Jenne knew better, and he kept it a secret.

His guilty plea and looming prison sentence represent a spectacular free fall for a man who cut his teeth going after corruption in the county building department. Back then, Jenne and his crime-fighting partner, Bob Butterworth -- who also went on to a storied career in public service -- were known as ''Batman and Robin.'' His freckle-faced earnestness also earned him the nickname ''Howdy Doody'' when, at 28 years old, he helped craft the document that serves as the county's constitution.

What happened to that young man? What happened to the man who, years later, choked back tears when then-Gov. Lawton Chiles appointed him sheriff in 1998?

more....



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Florida Today

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070907/OPINION/709070324/1004/opinion

Our views: Saving PIP
Our view: Gov. Crist should step up to stop the end of no-fault insurance

This brings new meaning to the word irresponsible.

Florida lawmakers Wednesday abruptly put a Sept. 18 special session on hold, saying they can't reach consensus on how to slash more than $1 billion from the budget because of shortfalls in tax collections.

It's bad enough the negotiations have been going on behind closed doors, keeping the public in the dark. But the postponed session also likely ensures Florida's no-fault insurance law, which expires Oct. 1., is dead in the water.

The PIP issue -- Florida's requirement that drivers buy $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance--needs a serious examination, too much work to be accomplished in the special session.

But we've said before that lawmakers need to OK a one-year extension of the PIP deadline rather than just let it drop.

Without PIP, Florida will be the only state that doesn't require drivers to have bodily injury liability coverage.

Its expiration means many more drivers on Florida roads will be unable to pay medical bills if injured in traffic accidents, and that health care insurance costs for those who are covered will rise, as hospitals and insurance companies take over where PIP leaves off.



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St. Petersburg Times

http://blogs.tampabay.com/energy/2007/09/sink-announces-.html

September 06, 2007
Sink announces London trip to study financial impact of climate change

My sister blog, The Buzz, reported yesterday that Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, is going to be making a trip to London in November to discuss climate change issues with British experts.

Sink's office made the formal announcement in a press release today.

I spoke today with Sink's deputy chief of staff, Kathy Baughman McLeod. She explained that Sink's trip is at the invitation of the British government which has made climate change at one of its top foreign policy priorities. The trip stems from a series of meetings between Florida officials and British diplomats designed to find ways to collaborate over climate change issues. In July Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed partnership agreements with Britain and Germany to share public policy experiences and exchange science and technology concerning renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

"It's a global issue and Florida is a little behind," explained Baughman McCleod. "Given the size of our state, the level of our CO2 output and our vulnerability to sea level rise, we have every reason to want to be ahead on this issue," she added.


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