Equality Florida Honors Carson

A capacity crowd squeezed into a restaurant in Wilton Manors, Sept. 1, to see City Commissioner Julie Carson recognized by Equality Florida. Carson, a lesbian, received the civil rights organization's Community Partner for Equality Award.

She told SFGN it was an honor.

"Julie has always been ready to roll up her sleeves and bring people together," said Row IIliescu, Equality Florida's South Florida Development Director. "Equal benefits, ordinances, equal rights. Julie has always been great and is a great facilitator."

Several in the crowd at 13 Even, a Wilton Drive nightspot, agreed. Among those who attended the event were former Florida Senator Nan Rich, defense attorney Betsy Benson, AIDS Healthcare Foundation lobbyist Jason King and Equality Florida Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer.

Pollitzer introduced Carson to the audience, referencing her love for horses and good causes. Carson encouraged those gathered to keep fighting for equality.

The next week, Carson appeared at the Pride Center at Equality Park to introduce Florida Representative Katie Edwards (D-Plantation) to members of the Dolphin Democrats. Edwards, a straight ally, told the group much change is needed at the state level in Tallahassee.

"Florida prisons are not set up to rehabilitate, they are set up to punish," Edwards told the Dolphins.

Edwards said returning to the State Capitol to listen to abortion bills has become dreadful.

"It's the most offensive comments I ever hear," she said of the discussion among lawmakers.

What makes matters worse for Edwards, a self-professed "country girl" from western Broward County is the spineless reaction of House Republicans.

"They always say they want to crawl under the table and hide," Edwards said. "Well, I'm sick of hearing that. Start voting against them."

Mitch Caesar, a candidate for Broward County Clerk of the Courts, also attended the Dolphins meeting at the Pride Center. He used his time at the podium to blast Rowan County, Kentucky clerk Kim Davis. Caesar, an attorney, demanded Davis do her job or resign. Davis has attracted national media attention for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

"I'm angry this has turned into a circus," Caesar said. "She (Davis) is not a winner, she lost."

When told Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee had appeared alongside Davis at a rally in Kentucky, Caesar called Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, a "scmuck."

Longtime Dolphins Democrat member Michael Albetta reminded the group of Caesar's loyalty to LGBT causes.

"Mitch was walking with us in parades back in 1997," Albetta said.

Meanwhile, on the Republican front, Broward County Republican Executive Committeeman Andrew Eddy noteed Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Bruce Roberts spoke at the September meeting of the Broward chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT inclusive club. Roberts represents Fort Lauderdale's first district.