Ask the Kissimmee City Commission to Approve Domestic Partnerships

Equality Florida has an action alert supporting LGBT city employees in Kissimmee Florida:

"In the coming weeks, the Kissimmee City Commission will consider the approval of domestic partner benefits for city employees.

If approved, Kissimmee will join dozens of municipalities across Florida in offering its employees some form of domestic partnership coverage. The inclusion of domestic partner coverage provides a critical lifeline for all unmarried city employees, gay and straight.

Help Kissimmee take it’s rightful place as a fair-minded city by voicing your support for domestic partner benefits."

Please send this message so that partnership benefits are approved.

Endorse the Florida Competitive Workforce Bill

The Florida Competitive Workforce bill adds "sexual orientation and gender identity and expression" to Florida's civil rights law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

Take a stand today. Sign on to this letter of support as an individual, organization and/or company and spread the word.

Southern AAA Reverses Policy and Recognizes LGBT Families

7/27/09: "During a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday, July 21, between Equality Florida and AAA South, top management at the 4th largest AAA affiliate in the country committed to recognizing all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The policy allows gay married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA's Associate Membership program" (Planet Transgender).

Send AAA South a thank you letter with Equality Florida's E-form for their commitment to equality

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6/29/09: The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a 50 million member North-American lobbying, insurance and service organization. The organization isn't a single entity but comprised of several smaller regional clubs.

Equality Florida is reporting that "AAA South is made up of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico and that they have taken an increasingly hard line in rejecting the recognition of gay and lesbian couples"

The problem is that there are some reports that "AAA refused to provide a family or associate membership to the callers partner to even those who were legally married elsewhere or have civil union or domestic partnership status." In fairness to the company there are also many statements by couples who claim they had no problems and faced no discrimination.

Other AAA's around the country are fully inclusive and recognize LGBT families.

Contact AAA South membership services and urge them to promote fairness and adopt a uniform standard for dealing with LGBT individuals and couples.

Membership services:
1-800-222-1134

Florida Senator Rudy Garcia: "No Time" to Fight Discrimination

Florida's LGBT non-discrimination bill (Senate bill 2012) deserves a hearing so that the thousands of families out there can be protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Senator Rudy Garcia Chair of the Commerce Committee is claiming there is "no time" to bring the bill to the floor this legislative season, citing a need to focus on the economy.

Please tell Senator Garcia that while the economic downturn must be a focus of the legislature, the non-discrimination bill deserves some time to be heard as well.

Use Equality Florida's E-contact Form to correspond with the Senator.