Featured Artists Reception this Friday Dec 4th & 2010 Artists Uncovered Calendar

Click title for CLAY GLASS METAL STONE Cooperative Gallery Blog.

Florida drops to #43 on the States of Equality Scorecard

Although Florida ranks in the top 10 states for contributions to national, state and local
GLBT organizations, our state ranks #43
(out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia) when it comes to GLBT equality.

Only Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee
rank lower than Florida!

This following information was received from eQualityGiving, whose
mission is to grow and support an online community of donors by providing free services and strategic advice to achieve legal equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.

For more information on eQualityGiving, click here.

______________________________

As you can see by clicking here, the table shows that out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Florida ranks #43 on the States of Equality Scorecard -- with only 2.0 out of a possible 6 points.

• There is no statewide law prohibiting discrimination based either "sexual orientation" or "gender identity or expression."

• There is a statewide law prohibiting gay men and lesbians from adopting children.

• Both the Florida Constitution and state statutes prohibit gay men and lesbians from marrying their partners.

• While the Jeffrey Johnston Stand up for All Students Act specifically prohibits "sexual, religious, or racial harassment", the law makes no reference to either "sexual orientation" or "gender identity or expression."

Here is the information from the eQuality Giving web page.

States of Equality Scorecard
http://www.equalitygiving.org/States-of-Equality-and-Gay-Rights-Scorecard?page-version=0&date=20091127122911

Are you a second class citizen in your own state? Review state by state comparisons of the score on equality and gay rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.

The score indicates the number of Equality Goals that have been reached in that state. Each "YES" gives 1 point. Half a point is given for partial achievement of an Equality Goal. One of the seven Equality Goals (repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell") is mostly a federal level goal. Therefore, at the state level, the maximum score is 6.

To access the state by state chart,
click here

ANALYSIS
(50 states + District of Columbia)

• No state provides full equality to the LGBTQ population (i.e. a score of 6).

• Four states: California, New Jersey, Iowa, and Vermont, achieve a rating of 5.5 out of 6. California and New Jersey can achieve the perfect score of 6 by converting civil unions (New Jersey) or domestic partnerships (California) to civil marriage. Iowa can reach a score of 6 by ensuring full parenting rights in all cases. Vermont can achieve a score of 6 by protecting the transgender population more (in particular: do not show "amended" birth certificates when changing gender).

• One other state (Connecticut) score 5 out 6.

• However, half of the states satisfy none or just one of the 6 Equality Goals that are required to ensure that LGBTQ people have the same legal protections as everyone else.

• Massachusetts scores only 4.5 despite that if offers marriage equality. This is because it falls short in transgender protections in hate crimes, non discrimination, anti-bullying, and providing new birth certificates.

• Passing federal legislation on an Equality Goal would increase every state score by 1.

RECENT HISTORY

• On October 28, 2009 President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

• On November 4, 2008 voters placed a constitutional ban on marriages in Arizona, California, and Florida. Arizona and Florida already had laws prohibiting same-sex marriages. But, in California same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry; this right was taken away by voters.

• On October 10, 2008 the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the civil unions that the legislature approved for the state violated the Connecticut constitution and the state had to provide marriage to same-sex couples. But the federal government still does not recognize those marriages and does not allow to serve openly in the military. On November 4, 2008 voters rejected a call to have a Constitutional Convention in Connecticut. Therefore, the right to marry is secure in Connecticut (like in Massachusetts).

• In May 2008, the Florida legislature passed anti-bullying legislation (but it does not enumerate protected classes).

• In May 2008, Maryland became the 7th state with anti-bullying legislation that specifically protects youth because of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION EFFICIENCY

San Francisco Bay Area residents spend an average of 59 percent of their income on combined housing and transportation costs, with parts of the nine-county Northern California region averaging in excess of 70 percent, a new study from the Urban Land Institute's Terwilliger Center for Workforce Housing reports. Bay Area Burden: Examining the Costs and Impacts of Housing and Transportation on Bay Area Residents, Their Neighborhoods, and the Environment provides a comprehensive analysis of the "cost of place" in the region and highlights the importance of location efficiency - the proximity of housing to transportation hubs, employment, and retail centers "as a driver of both affordability and environmental sustainability." . The study is the product of the ULI in conjunction with the Center for Housing Policy and the Center for Neighborhood Technology. The report's sponsors hope to bring to the fore the discussion of transportation's impact on household costs and how paying attention to transportation can help create sustainable, affordable cities that reduce our overall environmental impact.

My Take: This is one of the major issues we have in Lake Worth - retail and employment opportunities require travel to other cities on a regular basis. Restricting height for Transit Oriented Development projects to three stories will do nothing to promote the concept and may jeopardize the city's ability to secure a passenger stop on the FEC (east tracks) once a commuter rail service is established there.

A long time resident...

and neighbor is attempting to finish an improvement project in their historic College Park home. There are two impact windows that have yet to be replaced after the first part of the project was finished a couple of years ago. After a go-around with staff about the type of windows (after the approval had already been given by the Historic Resource Preservation Board - these two windows were the same as the ones already installed a few years ago), they hired a contractor who is ready to start work today. However, the City just sent out a letter that since a $35 check bounced, they are unable to issue a permit and therefore the work cannot commence.

The only problem is: The contractor paid the $35 in CASH. If a check wasn't written, it couldn't have bounced.

How is that audit coming?

U.S. Supreme Court digs into Florida beach case

Interesting case here to be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Many issues at play related to property rights, public access to the water and the future of beach re-nourishment projects. Click title for story.

More on Greenwashing - Thanks Reader for the link!

"Greenwashing" - Lake Worth Style

Reading the article about how Governor Crist has flipped-flopped on his environmental agenda got me thinking about Lake Worth and recommendations from the Mayor's Climate Control Task Force. You remember - this is the task force that was formed soon after the last "1-3-Mayor" election in 2007. The task force assembled, met, made their recommendations and then was dissolved. One unsuccessful Mayoral candidate this time made the fact of him being chair of the task force a continual theme in his campaign literature and candidate forum appearances.

Supporters of the current majority on the Commission often point out attempts at "greenwashing" by organizations such as FPL, developers, etc., but fail to cast a critical eye on the city's efforts at following its own recommendations. This is one definition of "greenwashing" I found courtesy of Wikipedia.

Greenwashing (green whitewash) is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources.^[1] It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing. The term green sheen has similarly been used to describe organizations that attempt to show that they are adopting practices beneficial to the environment.^[2]

Below are the fifteen (15) recommendations made by the Climate Control Task Force from March of 2008.

Reading through this list, it would be great to have a report on how the City is doing meeting the stated goals. I am not sure about how these numerous recommendations add up to fifteen, but the task force said there were fifteen so it must be so.

I'd be really interested to know about the City's power consumption. I know just by running around town the the City seems to be the number one violator of watering restrictions - not setting a good example for residents to follow. In fact, I was told that the city water truck was going down Lake Avenue this past week - WHILE IT WAS RAINING - and watering the street trees. The water truck wouldn't have been necessary had the city installed the proper underground watering system, but that's a story for another day.

Perhaps the newly composed Commission will ask for an up-date on how the city is meeting its own environmental recommendations. Perhaps this could be included in a "State of the City" address by our new Mayor?

A small, but practical and symbolic, step would be to have the City Commission packets delivered to the Commission electronically - saving preparation of 3 inch plus thick notebooks of paper each time the Commission meets.

The Commission should also consider building a LEED certified NEW Casino building at the beach - landward of the Coastal Construction Control Line.

For Gov. Charlie Crist, it's not easy being green - St. Petersburg Times

For Gov. Charlie Crist, it's not easy being green - St. Petersburg Times

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Park of Commerce related item on 12/1 City Commission Agenda

One of the items on the next Commission agenda is to extend a contract to Donna Brosemer for assistance with organizing and shepherding the City's progress with the development of the Park of Commerce. This is a good thing and the Commission should approve this unanimously, one would hope.

The City received a $250,000 matching grant in August from the Economic Development Administration to inventory the public infrastructure needs in the future Park of Commerce (an area of about 400 acres, west of I-95, south of 10th Avenue and north of Lake Worth Road). The City had to come up with a cash match in order to take advantage of the grant. This was in no way guaranteed. There was a lot of reluctance and hemming and hawing about where the money would come from and if it fit in to other City priorities. The City Manager got over the reluctance and found the matching money and the City is going through with the project. All this is a good thing, except for the initial reluctance.

If you read the back-up material on the item, you might find the following a little unusual - especially in light of the Sunshine Laws under which the City operates.

This line appears at the end of the "Reviewed by and Recommendation" of the transmittal memo. I don't remember ever seeing a reference to how other elected officials are leaning as part of a memorandum from staff. Isn't this telegraphing how certain members will vote? It makes one wonder if this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the behind-closed-doors conversations that take place at City Hall.

Again, nothing against this particular item, but there are many things in Lake Worth that "make you go hmmmm...."

City Commission Agenda 12/1 Meeting - click here for link to back-up material

A little giving of thanks by ABBA...

A mentor figure of mine today referred to me as a "swashbuckling urban planner"...

This is one definition of that term that I was able to find:

"The word "swashbuckler", in the modern sense, generally describes a fearless romantic archetype, a fictional, adventurous, sword-wielding, male character who seeks to win the heart of a beautiful lady while rescuing society from the clutches of a dastardly villain. A classic swashbuckler exhibits exceptional courage and swordfighting skill, a strong sense of honor and justice, a chivalric romantic sense, and the capacity for wit, style, and resourcefulness under pressure."

Discuss.

COMPASS DISPLAYS 5th LARGEST SECTION OF AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT IN THE UNITED STATES

National and local initiatives partner to create HIV prevention message for World AIDS Day

LAKE WORTH, FL – In recognition of World AIDS Day, the NAMES Project and Compass have once again joined together to display the largest collection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Florida at Compass’ new home in downtown Lake Worth. This year, the display has been extended to include an array of events starting November 30^th and culminating with a very special room dedication ceremony and Quilt closing ceremony December 12^th. The AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded in 1987, is the largest piece of community folk art in the world, a 54-ton collage affixed with the names of 91,000 victims of AIDS.

Compass will host a candlelight vigil with a Quilt Induction ceremony November 30^th at 6pm and have the 256 panels on display thru December 12th. Palm Beach County Department of Health Director, United Deliverance Executive Director, Treasure Coast Health Council Executive Director and Newly appointed Lake Worth Mayor will be among other local community leader to participate in Compass’ annual Calling of Names on November 30^th. Other events include a Youth Education Day, Wellness Empowerment Luncheons, Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition presentation and an Interfaith service; for complete list please go to compassglcc.com.

“Compass is always looking for opportunities to work closer with national and local initiatives to provide Palm Beach County with resources needed to educate our residents about HIV and how to live a stronger and healthier life,” said Tony Plakas, Compass’ CEO. “The AIDS Memorial Quilt is one of the strongest tools in raising awareness and helpings cope with the loss of loved ones.”

The quilt panels on display will include a panel for youth called “Children Around the World”, a Compass HOPE Youth group panel, Connors Nursery Block and Sandpiper Shores Elementary School block. Compass is expecting group visits from local Gay-Straight- Alliances as well as groups from organizations like Pace Center for girls.

­ “Palm Beach County ranks in the nation’s top 10 counties for people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Eric Miller, Compass’ HIV Prevention and Testing Coordinator and the southeast regional director of the NAMES Project. “By joining together locally to promote awareness about AIDS, we can make a global impact in the effort to end AIDS.”

Compass was founded as The Stop AIDS Project in 1988 and has provided HIV prevention since. World AIDS Day at Compass sponsors include Wal-Mart, Gilead, Walgreens, Commcare, EMD Serono, Tibotec, Canthus Inc, H.G. Roosters and Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition. Compass is located at 201 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, FL 33460, for more information, call (561) 533-9699.

Nearly 33.4 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS. The UNAIDS has estimated that approximately 2.7 million have been infected with HIV in 2008 and the CDC reports that there are over one million Americans living with HIV/AIDS of which a quarter of those do not know that they are infected.

CUTLINE:

In recognition of World AIDS Day, the NAMES Project and Compass have once again joined together to display the largest collection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Florida at Compass’ new home in downtown Lake Worth. This year, the display has been extended to include an array of events starting November 30^th and culminating with a very special room dedication ceremony and Quilt closing ceremony December 12^th. For more info, call 561-533-9699 or visit www.compassglcc.com/wad2009.jpg.

ABOUT COMPASS:

Compass is the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community center in the Southeast United States. Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We accomplish this by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing. As good neighbors, effective partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community.

Two people have asked...

About street signs along 10th Avenue North and why the lettered side streets are labeled with quotation marks. Above is the sign detail that guided the design of the signs. I have asked and will continue to follow through. My guess is that it is used to distinguish the "initial" from the "direction" so that if the street is a vowel, a word is not formed. I have looked through FDOT's handbook and haven't found a reference to this. You can check yourself. I'll let you know if I find out more.

I would suggest that in the meantime one should concentrate on other things, as this does not rank as one of the most burning issues of our time.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."