Jim Davis Opposes The Anti-Gay Ban

From: "Jim Davis"
Subject: RE: Gay Pride
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 15:23:47 -0700

Al-

Sorry for the late response to your email, I appreciate your interest in my campaign.

I agree with Mayor Iorio's position on this matter. I support her views that we must build a community on tolerance and respect, not intolerance and division.

-----Original Message-----
From: Al Giraud
Sent: Tue 6/21/2005 6:14 PM
To: Jim Davis
Subject: Gay Pride

Dear Congressman,

The Gay community in Hillsborough is under attack from intolerant political leaders in the county. Will you join the Mayor of Tampa and state your opposition to the recent moves by the Hillsborough County Commission? The GBLT community of Hillsborough is urgently calling on your support.

Respectfully,

Al Giraud
Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Precinctman # 159

MCC Insurance DisAvows Homophobic Email

MCC Insurance called to disavow the "you're sick" anti-gay rant email sent out under their company's name.
The email is posted below

-------- Original Message --------

Nadine, Thank you for returning my call. I would like to re-state in writing that the email that has caused so many to become upset does in no way reflect the opinions of myself, or our company. It appears that this vicious attack was done to try to hurt our company by some unknown person. The person sending this original email is not an employee of ours, and certainly does not have the authority to speak for myself or our company. I plan to pursue this matter with our legal advisor. We will try to determine the source of this vicious attack. Again let me say, this is not my, or my company's opinion. I feel as much a victim as anyone who might take issue with this posted message. I will keep you advised on the progress of determining who the culprit is. Thank you again for returning my call.
Jim Kelly

No to Gays but Here's What the Commission Does Recognize

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
America’s Walk for Diabetes Day
American Rivers Month
Black History Month.
Burn Awareness Week
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Civic Participation Week
Civil Air Patrol Week
Civility Month
Clean Air Month
Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week
Community and Regional Planning Day
Commuter Choices Week
Correctional Officers Week
Cover the Uninsured Week
Disability Mentoring Day
Emergency Medical Services Week
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Awareness Week
Energy Awareness Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Family Day
Farm City Week
Fire Prevention Week
Firearm Safety Day
Firefighter Appreciation Week
Florida Prostate Cancer Network Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Good Customer Service Week
Law Week
Library Appreciation Month
Library Card Sign-up Month
Literacy Day
Literacy Month
Manatee Appreciation Month
Mediation Week
Millennium Peace Day
National American Diabetes Month
National Ballroom Dance Week
National Dog Bite Prevention Week
National County Government Week
National Correctional Officers Week
National Correctional Officers Memorial Day
National 4-H Week
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Library Week
National Parks and Recreation Month
National Police Appreciation Week
National Public Works Week
National Records and Information Management Week
National Safe Boating Week
National Safe Place Week
National Victim Rights Week
National Volunteer Week
Older Americans Month
One Community, One Book: Tampa-Hillsborough Reads Month
Parks and Recreation Month
Patriot's Day
Purchasing Month
Resort Casual Week
Selective Service Registration Awareness Month
Serve Our Schools Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week
Southern Heritage Month and Confederate Memorial Day
Spay and Neuter Day
Storytelling Week
Strategic Information Management Month
Teen Read Week
Tourism Week
Victims’ Rights Week
Water Conservation Month
White Cane Safety Month

Gays, Straights Rally For Equality

Jun 26, 2005
Gays, Straights Rally For Equality
By ANGELA DELGADO
adelgado@tampatrib.com


ST PETERSBURG - Love, equality and politics were in the humid air Saturday as thousands gathered on Central Avenue to show their support of gay pride and their disgust with the Hillsborough County Commission.

Organizers put the number of participants as high as 35,000.

Gay and straight, St. Pete Pride Street Festival-goers shook their heads over the county to the east, where a battle over gay recognition rages.

This story can be found at: http://www.tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGBKCUTREAE.html

Condemning The County

Condemning The County

Frank Roder, a member of the city's Human Rights Board, was so upset by the Hillsborough County Commission's decision to refuse to acknowledge, promote or participate in gay pride events he asked his board to pass a motion condemning the commission.

Some other board members suggested rephrasing the motion to take a more positive approach. They agreed to praise Mayor Pam Iorio for speaking out against the commission's vote.

But the motion couldn't be formally considered for lack of a quorum.

It could be considered at the board's next meeting, Aug. 19.

I Need a ride to Rally!

Lee(cougar7toes@yahoo.com) posted:

Hi everyone!
I live in West Pasco County(New Port Richey)and want very much to attend
the Rally this Sunday (26JUNE). Problem is that my car is dead. I would
like to know if anyone in my area is attending Sunday's Rally and could
I hitch a ride there and back? I would greatly appreciate it. I know we
need all the support we can get for this important gathering.
Thanx in advance,
Lee AKA "Cougardawn"

We need your help.

Dear Friends,

In an outrageous act of bigotry, the Hillsborough County Commission voted 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.

Already displays featuring gay and lesbian authors or subject matter have been yanked down in county libraries.

More that 700 people crowded our Town Hall meeting June 20th to strategize about responding. A diverse group of business leaders, artists, elected officials stood up to the bigotry and committed to fighting to repeal the ban and work to pass a non-dicrimination policy in Hillsborough County.

Now we must ensure that the outpouring of support translates into real action.

The Hillsborough County Commission may ignore how morally repugnant, discrimatory and anti-democratic their actions have been, but they seem to be paying attention to the economic peril caused by there actions.  Business leaders, city council members and those involved in wooing major companies and sporting events such as Super Bowl 2009 are worried that the hostile message may chase away those who have a committment to inclusion and diverse employees and customers.

Find ways you can help no matter where you live at http://www.eqfl.org/active/prideback.html
 
Sincerely,
 
Nadine Smith
Executive Director