Equality is Gainesville’s Business Applauds Gainesville Voters for Saying No to Discrimination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, March 24, 2009

CONTACT:

Shelbi Day, EQGB Communications, (352) 219-4709 or shelbi@equalitygainesville.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 24, 2009 – Equality is Gainesville’s Business (EQGB) applauds Gainesville voters for saying no to discrimination in Gainesville. Voters rejected the discriminatory ballot measure by a 58 percent to 42 percent margin. Charter Amendment 1 would have removed Gainesville’s existing nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, some of which have been in place for more than a decade.

For over a year, supporters of Charter Amendment 1 have waged a fear-based campaign that blatantly lied to voters about the intent and impact of Charter Amendment 1 and specifically targeted transgender people with harmful discrimination. The sweeping language of the ballot initiative, which was written by a far right conservative group in Michigan, would have prohibited the City of Gainesville from providing nondiscrimination protections beyond the minimal protections set forth in the Florida Civil Rights Act.

“Today Gainesville voters showed that they value the rights of all citizens,” said EQGB Chair and Gainesville City Commissioner Craig Lowe. “They have rejected the politics of fear and instead chose to retain the values that make our city such a beautiful place. Today, our voters showed their true character by emphasizing that, in Gainesville, every person matters.“

“Supporters of Charter Amendment 1 waged a campaign that blatantly lied to voters about the protections Gainesville has provided transgender citizens.” stated Joe Saunders EQGB campaign manager. “By targeting transgender people, proponents of Charter Amendment 1 have proven the need for inclusive anti-discrimination laws. Voter’s embraced Gainesville’s anti-discrimination laws tonight when they rejected Amendment 1.”

In the last year a broad array of organizations came out to publicly oppose Charter Amendment 1. These organizations include: the Anti-Defamation League – Florida, the ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Organizations United Together (O.U.T.), UM (University of Miami) for Equality, Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Florida NOW, Gainesville Area NOW, Judy Levy NOW PAC, Alachua County Democratic Party, Alachua County Green Party, Alachua County/Gainesville League of Women Voters, Alachua County NAACP, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Gainesville Area AIDS Project (GAAP), Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women, Human Rights Council of North Central Florida, Interweave, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, North Central Florida Central Labor Council, Pride Center of North Central Florida, Social Justice Council of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, United Church of Gainesville Social Concerns Committee, University of Florida Students for Change, Students for a Democratic Society @ UF, Wild Iris Books and Wild Words Café, University of Florida Faculty Senate, University of Florida Presidential LGBT Concerns, and University of Florida Student Senate.

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Pd. Pol. Adv. Paid for by Equality is Gainesville’s Business, PO Box 40, Gainesville FL 32602

By: Cheryl
Cheryl is a computer networking professor at Sante Fe College for the past 14 years and is a highly sought after internet and computer consultant. Previous to her tenure at Sante Fe, Cheryl spent seven years working for the American Red Cross in Jacksonville. During that time she served as a founding member of the North Florida Aids Network, Vice-Chair of the North Florida Drowning Prevention Coalition and wrote many grants for HIV/AIDS education training. Cheryl has, also, had the privilege of being mother to two wonderful human beings. Her 19 year old son Sean and 17 year old daughter Jessie have been very supportive of her commitment to Wild Iris Books and have been very helpful its growth and success. Cheryl is the logistical and strategic thinker of the team who is one of the most non-judgmental, compassionate persons on the planet.
Website: http://friendsofwildiris.org/members/cheryl/