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