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LGBT Community and One Concerned Mom Respond to One Million Moms’ Discriminatory Attack Against Disney

Earlier this week, One Million Moms launched a campaign against the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) day at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom®, taking place Saturday, June 1, 2013.   On its website, One Million Moms claims that the intent of the LGBT community is “to expose and desensitize children to this lifestyle by same-sex couples holding hands, hugging and kissing”.  They are urging members to e-mail Disney officials and demand the park ‘no longer go along with Gay Day.’  In response, Darcy Christ, a heterosexual mother who strongly opposes the views of One Million Moms, has created her own Facebook page, Millions of Moms for Love, (https://www.facebook.com/MillionsOfMomsForLove).  Christ is hoping to receive as many “likes”as possible to prove anti-gay beliefs are not shared by most moms in America. 
 
“We will not stand silently while groups like One Million Moms or the American Family Foundation spread their anti-gay message,” says Ms. Christ, a mother of two from Texas.  “A majority of American moms believe that every person has the right to love another person, same sex or not.”
 
For twenty-three years, the LGBT community and their supporters have gathered on the first day of June, wearing red shirts with pride, at the non-sanctioned event at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom®.
 
“One Million Mom’s homophobic message is disheartening and sad,” says Wendy Jackson of Outloud Enterprises.  Jackson has attended the LGBT celebration at Magic Kingdom® for the past five years.    “If children have questions about seeing a same-sex couple holding hands, hugging or kissing, it seems that Disney World, the happiest place on earth, would offer a perfect opportunity for parents to teach children about tolerance and acceptance.”
 
Outloud Enterprises has set up their own website calling for supporters to sign a thank you note to Disney for continuing to support the annual LGBT event and not allowing itself to be bullied by groups like One Million Moms.  Visit www.outloudenterprises.com/disneyletter.

Visit Millions of Moms For Love on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MillionsOfMomsForLove.  Send a Thank You note to Disney at www.outloudenterprises.com/disneyletter.

 
 
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A Message From Equality Florida:

No committed couple should ever have to worry about their relationship being questioned in an emergency or whether they'll be called when their partner is in a life-threatening accident. 

Last week Tampa City Council Member Yolie Capin and the entire City Council directed the city attorney to draft a proposed policy in the coming weeks. 



Click here to thank the city council members for addressing this critical issue. Send them a note to tell them it's time for Tampa to pass a domestic partnership registry.

A domestic partnership registry is a simple thing. If created, unmarried gay and straight couples could register as legal families. Once registered, you'll be notified if your partner or partner's children are in an emergency. You'll have hospital visitation rights. You'll have end of life decision making powers.  You can pick your partner's children up from school. You can make decisions for
your partner after death.

More and more places are learning the benefits of offering domestic partnerships, recognizing that Domestic Partner Registries are the best way for local governments to create the strongest protections for gay and straight families. 

We encourage Tampa leaders to model their policy after registries treated in Florida communities like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Gainesville and Orlando.

Click here to join us in calling on the Tampa City Council to pass a domestic partnership registry.  Tell them it's time that the City of Tampa send the message that all families are welcome!

Join Equality Florida!

 
 
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Tele-Town Hall on the State of the LGBT Movement in Florida

On December 5, 2011, get an update on what is happening locally and in Tallahassee as we head into the 2012 election season. So much is at stake, you won't want to miss this chance to get the latest info and share your ideas on ways to secure full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Floridians.  Register Now!

State of Equality: LGBT Preview 2012
Highlights from the past year
What the 2012 Election Means for Equal Rights
Special focus on Ending Bullying in Florida
Featuring Equality Florida Executive Director  Nadine Smith and special guests.
Bring your questions and ideas. Register today, space is limited.

You must register to participate: www.eqfl.org/townhall

 
 
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A new listing has been added to the Chamber of Commerce directory on Connextions Magazine website! 
Please welcome the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando!

With more than 250 members, the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando is proud to be Central Florida's LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Governed by a 12-member volunteer board of directors, MBA Orlando reaches out in many ways:
  • Host monthly Networking Mixers, New Member Orientations, Better in Biz Workshops, Cocktails & Conversation and Transgender Women’s Business Council events
  • Certify LGBT owned businesses as LGBT Business Enterprises and help open opportunities for corporations and governments to include them in their supply chains.
  • Operate the Referral Exchange Development (RED) Group, the chamber's category exclusive networking group that has generated more than $930,000 in sales for its members.
  • Produce Come Out With Pride Orlando, the state's largest pride parade with more than 70,000 attendees last year.
  • Launched Converge Orlando, Central Florida's LGBT-inclusive Convention & Visitor's Bureau, focused on attracting large LGBT conventions and the 2018 Gay Games.
Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando
23 S Osceola Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 321-800-3946
E-mail: Info@MBAorlando.org
Web Site: http://www.MBAorlando.org 
 
For a complete listing of LGBT Chambers of Commerce, click here: http://www.connextionsmagazine.com/chambers-of-commerce.html

To read the article on Why Joinging a Chamber of Commerce is good for your business, click here: http://t.co/qBZLrLE

 
 
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The Music and The MadDness in partnership with The Two Rivers Coalition will present two shows at the Foundry Hall, 422 Eagle Street, South Haven, MI 49090 on Saturday, July 2nd, 2011. Part Proceeds will benefit Local Charity, Hospice at Home, which has locations in South Haven, Buchanan, and St. Joseph, MI.
 

The Music and The MadDness is a group of Headliners for the World’s largest cruise line. The event will be a show-stopping performance that combines the side-splitting comedy of top comedians Happy Cole, of Comic Strip Live, Percy Crews of BET's Comic View, Al Ernst of A View From The Cheap Seats and Comedy Central along with the soulful Motown Tribute of singer & former South Haven resident Marcus Anthony.

Show times are 7:30pm for families and 9:30pm for adults only. Tickets are $20 dollars and are available online at www.TheMusicandtheMadDness.com or at the door. Doors open at 7pm and 9pm. For additional information please visit the website, email info@TheMusicandTheMadDness.com or telephone 305.753.5719.

 
 
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This legal handbook is a fantastic resource guide for all LGBT residents in the state of Florida! 

Prepare for the future and protect your loved ones.


Equality Florida has designed this easy-to-follow, downloadable booklet describing: discrimination laws; relationship recognition laws; adoption laws; transgender issues; wills, trusts, & estate planning; healthcare advanced directives; and  even necessary forms to begin taking necessary action to protect yourself, your partner, and/or your children.

Download the guide for FREE at http://eqfl.org/legalhandbook/