LGBT issues gain traction in Fla. statewide campaigns
0While Florida's political campaigns have a tendency to skew in bizarre directions because of the state's sprawling geography and wide-ranging political ideologies, several contests have grown particularly heated this year.
Unsurprisingly, LGBT issues have become prominent in a number of races. And activists continue to rally as these campaigns' outcomes will likely have far-reaching ramifications on a host of LGBT-specific issues in the Sunshine State.
Two conservative gubernatorial candidates--Attorney General Bill McCollum and newcomer Rick Scott--exchanged jabs last week over the degree to which either candidate is tied to LGBT interests. Scott's camp released a memo that argued McCollum had campaigned "pro-abortion and pro-homosexual rights" 2008 presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. In response, the McCollum campaign pointed out Scott is an investor in QuePasa.com, a Latino social networking site it argues is a "gay dating site."
Meanwhile, in the race for McCollum's successor, the state's gay adoption ban--the nation's only such prohibition - has also become a hot-button issue. All three Republican candidates have said they would continue to uphold the ban, while two contending Democrats--state Sens. Dave Aronberg [D-Greenacres] and Dan Gelber [D-Miami Beach]--have argued the state has already spent enough resources in defending what he maintains is an old-fashioned, unconstitutional law.
Adding fuel to the fire against the gay adoption ban and hindering the outgoing attorney general's chances in the gubernatorial race are McCollum's links to defrocked anti-gay psychologist George Rekers, who was caught with a Rentboy.com escort at Miami International Airport in April. McCollum pushed to hire Rekers as an "expert witness" on behalf of the state in spite of warnings from his own staff. And Rekers' testimony cost Florida $120,000.
All of these issues combined have invigorated the state's LGBT activists, who view the upcoming statewide elections as pivotal to their efforts.
"2010 is a transformative year for Florida politics, specifically for the LGBT community," said Joe Saunders, statewide field director for Equality Florida. "With a change in political landscape, things that were never before possible in Florida could suddenly become possible."
Speaking of that changing landscape, Saunders pointed specifically to Wilton Manors Commissioner Justin Flippen, a candidate in the state's House District 92. If voters elect Flippen, he would become the first openly LGBT person to hold a statewide office. That primary is Aug. 24.
"Flippen's win would be a complete game changer for our issues in Tallahassee," added Saunders. "We are very excited about his candidacy and feel he has every opportunity to win. We hope we can break through that glass ceiling and have one of our own representing our issues."
Other activists have set their hopes on other openly LGBT candidates running for office in a variety of races. Following openly gay Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe's election, activists remain hopeful other candidates, such as North Miami City Councilmember Scott Galvin, who is running for Congress, and Miriam Planas, who is seeking a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, will fare well.
Activist Vanessa Brito, who has canvassed for Galvin's campaign, said she is beginning to see a shift among Florida voters who are no longer voting strictly along lines of gender, race or sexual orientation. She said this trend not only opens the door to more LGBT candidates, but also to those who are LGBT-friendly.
"Voters are so upset and anti-incumbent that they're willing to give new people a chance and this year presents a great opportunity for our candidates, whether they're gay or gay-friendly," Brito told EDGE. "Voters are becoming more aware of the issues."
Not all Floridian activists, however, are as optimistic about the chances of progress on the repeal of the gay adoption ban and other issues-even with the potential election of several openly LGBT candidates in the state.
Bryan Arnette, state director of Stand Up Florida, questioned why larger LGBT groups in the state had endorsed Alex Sink, the leading Democratic candidate in the gubernatorial race, in spite of her failure to support marriage for gays and lesbians. Sink backs civil unions and is generally more supportive of LGBT issues than any of her leading competitors.
"I think many of us in the gay community are tired of being considered second-class citizens," said Arnette. "We've been back-stabbed by so many candidates who said they'd watch out for the community but haven't. I don't see much happening here in Florida."
In spite of these criticisms, many LGBT activists still see the coming months as an important time to seek progress and feel more confident than ever in their chances to elect pro-LGBT candidates and moderate the state's conservative politics.
"Our community has gotten to a place where we can get smart candidates elected through effective campaigns and it's very exciting to be able to do that," added Saunders. "There are pockets of progressive and tolerant communities affirming of the LGBT community all over the state and we've proven it's possible for our community to run for office and win. That says a lot about what is possible in the more progressive parts of our state."