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 By Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel I miss the good ol' days of Jeb. It's not that he and I saw eye to eye on everything. But back then, Tallahassee conservatives acted ... well ... sane.

For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau will include married same-sex spouses as part of its decennial count of American households and families.

Friends,

Our long-time supporter and former board member, Robin Hankins, now hosts As I Am, a weekly internet radio show that explores compelling topics crucial to restoring and discovering family, relationship, spirit, community and equality. Robin joined us last week for Lobby Week 2010 and had the opportunity to interview Rep. Mary Brandenburg (D)- one of our strongest champions in the Florida House and lead sponsor of the bill that would overturn Florida's shameful adoption ban.

Florida Senate Committee Discusses Bill to

By a 4-3 vote, the Leon County Commission just took a giant step toward ending discrimination against the LGBT community. The Commission instructed the County Attorney to draft language for an ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity, and will be voted on on May 11th.

The Leon County Commission is scheduled to take the first step toward the adoption of an LGBT anti-discrimination law. Please attend the 3pm commission meeting today or call commissioners directly:Cliff Thaell(850) 606-5367aide: Martin Green [email protected]

Great night in Miami. Kudos to local leadership team who raised over

Another note about Lobby Week from Brian in Tallahassee:

A volunteer's first person account from Lobby Week. by Vicki

Yesterday, after 33 years of silence, Florida's shameful adoption ban was brought up for debate on the floor of the Florida Senate. This moment was months in the making.

What an afternoon at the Capitol! Through some very crafty maneuvering on the part of our Public Policy team in Tallahassee, today we forced debate on Florida's notorious adoption ban on the floor the Florida House and Senate - something that had not happened once in the 33 years since this law passed.

BREAKING NEWS Later today, for the first time in 33 years, the Florida Legislature is scheduled to debate whether people should be asked about their sexual orientation when applying to adopt.

From Scott Maxwell at the Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Republican Steve Precourt championed bill supposed to be about economic development but strayed off course Scott Maxwell  TAKING NAMES

State Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Pete) has filed a house memorial that would call on President Barack Obama and the United States Congress to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. 

Dear Friends,

Victory in Kissimmee! Sign on to our Thank You letter today and be included in the note we send the City Commission.

 Last month we reported homophobic smear tactics were being used in Gainesville against openly gay city commissioner Craig Lowe who is now running for Mayor. Apparently, the opposition has not gotten the memo that homophobia doesn't play well in Gainesville because they are at it again. 

There have been many studies suggesting that married people enjoy better health than single people. Here is just another study from Israel, echoing the same results. So the denial of marriage rights for gay men and women is actually an assault on the health of our community. The leaders of the movement for marriage equality need to start touting the health benefits of marriage, while objecting strongly to the denial of these better health benefits for gay men and women ready to tie the knot with the person they love.- Marc Paige

An investigative story appears in today St. Petersburg Times that uncovers Florida's near negligent treatment of 1900 children who have recently aged out of our foster care system with out ever having been adopted.