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Sarasota Gala Rockets Past Goal Friends, I wanted to send a quick note today to let you know about the enormous success of this weekend's Equality Florida Sarasota Gala.The evening's enjoyment was surpassed only by the incredible success of the Gala. Thanks to the generosity of our Sarasota supporters, we rocketed past our original goal of $25,000, and didn't event slow down when we hit our updated goal of $30,000.

COLAGE is a support and advocacy organization for children of LGBTQ parents. They are holding the first ever Speak OUT Camp. It's a fabulous opportunity to meet other people with LGBTQ parents and refine you're activism skills! Check it out. Join COLAGE for the First- Ever Speak OUT Camp- a fabulous weekend of learning and community for youth and adults with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parents

Maine is the critical battleground in the fight for marriage equality and our side is leading in the polls by a slim majority.Please commit 2.5 hours on Sept 27th to phone Maine voters. Even better, commit to finding 3 more people in your organization or your own personal network who will do it with you.This is a crucial and very easy way to help. Even people who've never used a computer before had no problem mastering the online auto-dial phone system.

Both candidates in the St. Pete Mayors race are actively seeking pro-Equality voters. The St. Pete Times reports on the latest public statements both Foster and Ford have made regarding anti-discrimination policies, domestic partnership and recognizing Pride.Here are excerpts from todays article:

Last week, we reported on a proposed constitutional amendment that would outlaw the use of oral contraceptives. While in Congress Bill McCollum, who is currently running for governor, supported a bill that is remarkably similar to the proposed constitutional amendment.  From the Tampa Tribune:

A new petition drive aims at making it illegal to take birth control. How far will these far-righters go to take away individual rights for the sake of their political agenda? This is a dangerous encroachment on an individuals right to make their own decisions about their health.  Please note in the story below, one supporter calls this amendment "a continuation of the civil rights movement." The proposed amendment must be stopped long before it makes it to the ballot. 

These subsidies exist to help children in state care who are adopted - so in effect the state is fighting to deny support to this child. How far will the state go to undermine his chances in life? Isn't it enough that it took an expensive court case for him to be adopted? Dan and Wayne are exemplary parents - heros who have stepped up over and over again as foster parents. Their family is 100% as deserving of this subsidy, to help support their son, as any other family. From the Miami Herald - Friday, Sept. 11th

USF will offer domestic partner benefits, school president says By Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer In Print: Thursday, September 10, 2009

"Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Morality are threatened by homosexuals."-- from Speechless: Silencing Christians Take a moment to let WFLA advertisers know where you stand.No Profit for PrejudiceHold Media General/WFLA Accountable

Several months ago a group of Orlando Health team members presented a proposal to key executive leaders of the organization calling for the development of a diversity initiative to benefit the organization, its team members, physicians and patients and the community at large. After several meetings with key leaders within the organization nothing has happened.

On Wednesday, August 26th, FL Attorney General Bill McCollum's Deputy Solicitor General defended Florida's anti-gay adoption ban by saying... ``There is evidence that homosexuals have higher rates of mental disorders, suicide rates and domestic violence. This is a plausible rationale.'' -Timothy D. Osterhaus Florida's Attorney General is relying on long discredited junk science to smear a segment of the population and justify an indefensible blatant form of state-sanctioned discrimination.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE TUESDAY SEPT. 1st DON'T FORGET TO GO VOTE EQUALITY FLORIDA ACTION PAC

From the St Petersburg Times:  Florida's Ballot initiative to ban gerrymandering starts to draw foes

From the Miami Herald:

Today Governor Charlie Crist has appointed long time aide George LeMieux to fill Mel Martinez's US Senate seat.

My inbox was pleasantly overflowing with Birthday wishes, postcards and a few spicy limericks this morning. So here is a collective Thank You very much and one birthday wish from me. I set a goal of getting 20 people to donate $44 (more or less) to Equality Florida at any level. I'm about halfway there. It was that or a pony. Either will do. : ) Thanks for supporting the work and thanks for wishing me well.SincerelyNadine p.s. Here's the link: http://ow.ly/lwKJ

Watch Joe Biden's moving tribute to Senator Kennedy on MSNBC. 

Contributions Must be in by 11PM Tomorrow Steve Kornell is running to make history in Florida as St. Pete's first openly-LGBT city council member, but he needs your help. Tomorrow - Thurs. August 27th - is the deadline to make contributions to his primary campaign.

All of Florida is on pins and needles as we await the announcement of who will replace outgoing Senator Mel Martinez. Insiders are saying Crist will make his announcement by Thursday.