Local News

We need your help!

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives, and is going to committee markup on Wednesday, April 22nd (a preliminary step -- one of many -- before the bill is sent to the floor for a vote.)  The smooth passage of the Hate Crimes Bill will mean far more than protection from bias motivated crime.  It will set the state for the successful passage of an Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA), for the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”, and perhaps even for an end to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. 

This first step will unlock the key to additional legislation which will bypass the conservatives in Tallahassee and which will lead to much more equitable lives for all those Floridians who currently live outside the state’s few jurisdictions that offer them.  Additionally, it may well set the stage for allowing access to Federal benefits which all LGBT Floridians currently lack.

But to make this happen all of us need to act now!  The Radical Right is desperate to stop us.  On issue after issue involving our community they feel the debate slipping away. Their answer: to resort to deceit and distortion. 

It will be too late to march on Broward Blvd. or Convention Center Ave. if we lose.  We need to act NOW so we can WIN!    Our chances look good, but it’s up to all of us to push these bills over the goal line.

What can you do?
   1. Talk about it to your family - to your friends - to your co-workers - to you clients…. Talk about it now!
2. Sign-up for HRC Action Alerts so you can stay informed on these events as they unfold. TAKE ACTION>>
3. Call, Write or Email your Congressman and Senator… The switchboard number for the U.S. House of Representatives is (202) 224-3121 or click here to email.

Our opposition is contacting their millions of supporters right now, and in just the past few days national Christian Right organizations like the American Family Association and Focus on the Family have emailed everyone on their list begging for help. 

Our opponents are telling their members that the Hate Crimes law will criminalize religious speech – that ministers will be arrested in their pulpits for preaching their opposition to homosexuality.   This is simply not true – the Hate Crimes law adds no new classes of crime, and requires an attack with a firearm, explosive or incendiary device with the intent of causing Bodily Injury in order to respond.

This is a far cry from criminalizing a minister’s speech, and we need to counter their lies with truth.   A defeat on the Hate Crimes Bill will have far-reaching implications. It will set the tone and the political climate for our entire agenda.

This is so important. We hope you can help. Read More »

by Michele Lifland

My real journey into HRC began after I moved from the Northeast to Florida.  I was casually thinking about getting involved in organizations where I would meet like-minded people, make some social connections, and build credibility in the GLBT community to support my developing psychotherapy practice. Read More »

Kevin Murdoch and Drew Miller 

We have always been a supporter of HRC but were never involved. In 1998, we had the fortunate experience of attending the national dinner in Washington DC where we heard Al & Tipper Gore speak, along with Maya Angelou, about how important HRC's cause really was. Read More »

by Paul Palmer

Do you love pride? We do, and we want to celebrate with you this summer! There are four Prides scheduled to take place in South Florida in the coming months, and HRC plans to have a booth at every one of these.

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers who care about equality and who are willing to share their enthusiasm with others.   

Volunteer shifts at the HRC booth typically last three or four hours, and involve engaging passers-by, signing up new HRC members, selling merchandise, and spreading the word about HRC's work - locally and nationally.

The work is easy and fun, and in addition we make sure that each shift is staffed by long-time HRC South Florida committee members who provide on-the-job training for all our volunteers.

The four Prides in 2009 are:

March 21-22    Pride Ft Lauderdale in Holiday Park
March 29          Palm Beach Pride in Lake Worth
April 18            Miami Beach Pride (NEW!)
June 20-21      Stonewall Street Festival in Wilton Manors

Won't you consider signing up to help us?

Please email HRCsfla@bellsouth.net  and indicate the Pride(s) which you're interested in volunteering for.

Thanks for being such an important part of HRC's work in South Florida!