We just got off of a rather pleasant telephone communique with the John Mica campaign in regards to the somewhat controversial revelation that a bunch of former anti-gay policy makers were turning on a dime and coming out in favor of non-discrimination policies.
We reported that this was happening last week, but like most rhetorical clouds, there was dissipation and questioning involved. Yes, 49 people were killed in your region two months ago. Yes, Sen. Marco Rubio is coming to town next week to make sure that COULD happen again. Yes, we are suspicious, as would be any self-loving LGBT citizen. However, we have been impressed by progress before, and revolutions often begin with massacres, even if that’s the most tragic means possible. And terrible. We won’t make concrete judgments until we speak to the principals involved here, or at least their reps. But there is a bit a vagueness to contend with, and we won’t let that go either.
First, the Aug. 1 press release:
Orange County Republicans Roll Out Resolution in Support of LGBTQ Rights
Resolution initially signed by more than 20 elected Republican leaders
[ORANGE COUNTY, FLA., August 1, 2016]– Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs at the party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner, surrounded by a group of Republican elected officials in attendance who she referred to as “New Generation Republicans,” unveiled a resolution in support of LGBTQ rights. The resolution, initially signed by 22 Orange County Republican elected leaders in just 24 hours, supports legislation opposing discrimination based on sexual orientation. The group includes just about every elected Republican in Orange County, from Members of Congress to city council leaders including five female, two Hispanic, and two openly gay elected officials.
Lew Oliver, Chairman of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee (OCREC), stood behind an oversized bouquet of 49 red roses – one for each of the victims lost in the Pulse nightclub tragedy- announced the unprecedented action at the annual Orange County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner. Oliver stated, “To my knowledge no other group of Republican elected officials has done anything like this yet. And we’re proud to pave the path for the Republicans across the state and encourage them to follow suit.”
In her remarks before reading the resolution Mayor Jacobs declared, “I do not want to see the Republican Party defined as anything less than we are.” She continued, “We are people who believe that individual liberties are worth fighting for.”
Florida law bans discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or marital status; however, Florida law does not protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification.
The resolution supports broadening these protections, and states: “We the undersigned do hereby Resolve that all Americans should be treated with equality, dignity and respect, and support efforts of Florida businesses and individuals to pass legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification.”
John Dowless, Edgewood City Council President, and one of the initiators of the effort said, “The idea originally started when OCREC decided to donate a portion of the fundraising dinner proceeds to the One Orlando fund… then we realized, as elected officials, we could do something much more powerful than just giving money.”
At the time of distribution, the resolution has had 22 elected officials and numerous other Republican candidates and leaders sign on both at the event and in the days following. Mayor Jacobs and local party leaders intend to circulate the resolution across the state to continue to grow support for the initiative, ultimately leading to the passage of legislation at all levels of government.
The Orange County Republican Party will donate more than $15,000 from proceeds raised at their annual Lincoln Day dinner to the One Orlando Fund.
Current Signees include (*indicates they were present at the event and in the attached video):
Mayor Teresa Jacobs*
Orange County Republican Executive Committee Chairman Lew Oliver*
Edgewood City Council President John Dowless*
Congressman John Mica*
State Representative Mike Miller*
State Representative Rene Plasencia*
Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd*
Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke
Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards*
Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson*
Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson
OCPS Chairman Bill Sublette
OCPS Board Member Joie Cadle
OCPS Board Member Christine Moore
Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray
Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz
Belle Isle Mayor Lydia Pisano
Edgewood Mayor Ray Bagshaw*
Maitland Mayor Dale McDonald*
Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark
Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn*
Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary*
Candidate for State Senate Dean Asher
Candidate for State Committeeman Nick Primrose (current OCYR Chairman)
The full video documenting the event can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7URQ4qOKR8&feature=youtu.be
Here is a copy of the resolution that was signed. Note the ambiguity, but also the progress. We shall see.
Resolution of the Orange County Elected Officials – Final by Billy Manes on Scribd
