Press & Media Releases
Yesterday's History - Tomorrow's Challenges
 |
|
Caucus President
Sally Phillips
|
Good Morning Caucus Members and Friends -
Four years ago President Obama promised to be an advocate for the LGBT Community. He ran a campaign all about Hope and Change, and yesterday he truly delivered on all those promises. Pundits will say it was an unnecessary risk or it was a political move in a critical election year. Hearing things like this only underscores the second-class status many LGBT Americans experience daily, knowing their rights and lives are seen by many as little more than a political tool to rally the base, either for or against.
We know better - and so does our President. President Obama's statement yesterday is only the latest in a long line of pro-LGBT accomplishments during his administration. He has consistently made sure that he wasn't offering just words of support but following up with concrete actions to ensure fairness and equality.
We, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, are proud of our President and especially proud to be Democrats! Ours is the party that is always first to stand up for true equality and justice, and Wednesday, May 9, 2012 will be a date for the history books in that regard.
President Obama - despite the fears of some on both sides - has been a consistently fierce advocate for the LGBT community. Throughout his term he has raised the bar for politicians of all stripes when it comes to moving past rhetoric and taking action to do the right thing, despite possible political peril. He has stood for equality and justice in large ways and small - and now his bold stance on marriage equality ensures that history will remember him for it.
In the midst of our jubilation we must remember that it is not a foregone conclusion that history will also remember Barack Obama as a two term president. Yesterday's announcement will rally our opponents. Are WE ready to step up and show the President how much his courage means to us? Are WE ready to rally OUR supporters? As President of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus I say, "Yes, Mr. President, we're ready to make sure you never regret stepping up and speaking out NOW. We're with you!"
The President's campaign is going to need every one of us working to get out the vote. I call on each of you to support our President's re-election by getting involved in the campaign at the OFA Office near you, giving as much money as you can afford and taking positive action in every way possible to bring President Obama to re-election victory come November.
Barack Obama is keeping his promises to us and to the country. Let's work together to show him, "President Obama, we have your back!"
Today is World AIDS Day...a day to speak up!
A Message from our President Sally Phillips
Today is World AIDS Day...a day to speak up!
http://www.icontact-archive.com/wcaXjq2w0Sv38zuhfDc3iW6XvYsyvB10?w=3
Today, December 1, 2011, is a day that the world remembers those who are affected and inflicted by this horrible disease --- World AIDS Day! The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus joins in this day of remembrance, while we are also reminded of our members, our family and our friends that are bravely battling this disease every day.
I remember clearly in 1981 hearing about a friend who was sick with something that seemed to be affecting gay men - 30 years ago! And that was the beginning of being a caretaker for sick friends, going to many funerals and memorial services and dealing with death much earlier than I ever thought I would. Sadly my story is not unique within the GLBT community. For 30 years it has been difficult for anyone who has been affected by HIV/AIDS and horrible for anyone who is infected with HIV/AIDS. It is for this reason that I am personally angered and saddened when I look at the statistics in this State. · Florida is among the states with the highest number new HIV-infections;
· Florida has the greatest number of people living with HIV/AIDS incarcerated in a state prison;
· Florida has the greatest number of people on a wait list to access HIV-medications through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) (http://www.nastad.org/);
· Florida has a greater number of people living with HIV/AIDS who are victim to HIV-criminalization and being arrested because Florida has laws that are outdated and not based on modern day science;
· Florida falls short in its in HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention programs;
· Florida bans evidence-based programs like syringe-exchange programs, despite the fact they are proven to decrease the number of new HIV and Hepatitis C-infections;
· Florida ignores the realities of LGBT-youth who are most at risk of infection by failing to establish a minimum state standard for sex education, inclusive of LGBT-people;
· Florida fails to have a strategy to effectively reduce the number of HIV-infections, reduce health disparities or improve access to care and health outcomes for People Living with HIV.
With this appalling list of how Florida is dangerously failing rather than leading, I must take a moment to acknowledge Florida's Democratic Congressional Delegation, namely Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congressman Alcee Hastings, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Senator Bill Nelson who have been leading the way for increased funding for AIDS treatment. With unwavering support on this issue, these great leaders understand the importance of making sure Florida doesn’t continue to fail it’s residents. On a national level, under President Obama’s leadership, we now, for the first time, have a National HIV/AIDS Strategy that aims at accomplishing the goals that Florida continues to fall short on. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas )
Today, as we take time to remember our loved ones we have lost to HIV/AIDS and honor and embrace those who are bravely battling this disease, we must take note of the long road ahead. We thank Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congressman Hastings, Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz, and Senator Bill Nelson for their dedicated efforts in this fight! We encourage all Floridians to take action today. Please contact your elected officials --- from a local level on up ---and encourage them to speak up and out on this issue!
With Pride and Peace,
Sally Phillips
President, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
Happy Thanksgiving!
As we go into the 2011 Holiday Season, many of us are busy preparing to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones for a time of good food & drink, celebration, thankfulness, and love.
During this joyous time, we must remember that there are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that have been shunned from friends, disowned by family, discriminated by employers, and are feeling very alone, especially at holiday times. I want to say that we, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, are working hard to bring full equality to all of us in the world we live in.
As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus has a lot to be thankful for. With 2011 being a year of leadership transition, I am proud to say that you have elected an incredible team to lead this Caucus. With your help, we have grown our membership, launched a new website, welcomed new chapters, increased our financial resources, fostered relationships with allied organizations, continued being one of the leading Democratic Caucuses in the state, and elected several LGBT and LGBT Allied Democrats throughout the state. For that, I am thankful.
We are part of an incredible community of woman, men, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies, and we have much to be thankful for! There have been big strides in 2011, and we have the momentum to be strong for the battles ahead in 2012. With each of you in the fight, we will accomplish even greater victories towards full equality!
On behalf of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus – and from my family to yours - have a very safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
With Pride and Peace,
Sally Phillips, Prresident
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
We applaud Congressman Barney Frank's Leadership
http://www.icontact-archive.com/wcaXjq2w0Sv38zuhfDc3ic3qlb1rvHcb?w=3
The leadership, both past and present, of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus wants to express our sincere appreciation to our friend and champion, Congressman Barney Frank, as he embarks on a new chapter of his life. In 2005, Congressman Frank was named “Honorary Chair" of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, and has been a strong and vocal supporter of our Caucus since that time.
We look forward to working with Congressman Frank in the U.S. House of Representatives through 2012, and we thank him for his service to our country. We also know that our friend Barney Frank will continue his unwavering support for equality for many years to come.
Sally L. Phillips, President, and all members, past and present, of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Board of Directors
Happy Veterans Day!
A Message from our President Sally Phillips
Today, we honor American Heroes
Happy Veterans Day!
On this day, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus joins millions of Americans remembering and honoring the brave men, women, and families who have made tremendous sacrifices to ensure the freedom and rights we enjoy, as Americans, every day. Many of those heroes are lesbian and gay who, because of President Obama, can now serve our great Country with pride and authenticity. I encourage each of you to reach out to a Veteran today and thank them for their service. I also encourage you to visit www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt and take a look at the long list of LGBT accomplishments, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, during President Obama’s first term as President of the United States of America.
Sally Phillips
President, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org
