Blog Spotlight: Gay South Florida - Miami Herald

The Miami Herald's blog - Gay South Florida by Steve Rothaus covers issues relevant to the LGBT community throughout Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

GLSEN Fundraiser in Miami Beach, Florida

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is having a fundraiser Jan. 31 in Miami Beach.

Miami Honor Society Reception
Sat, jan 31st 2009
7-10pm

At the home of
Dan Schres
1545 Meridian Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139

RSVP by Thurs Jan 29th to Solonje Burnett, Special Events Manager ay 646.388.6589 or sburnett@glsen.org

Breaking News: Florida Adoption Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

"Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman Tuesday declared Florida's 50-year-old ban on gay adoptions unconstitutional -- a ruling state lawyers immediately said they would challenge.

The ruling sets the stage for Frank Gill, a gay man from North Miami, to adopt two foster children he has raised since 2004.

In a 53-page ruling, Judge Lederman said, ``It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person's ability to parent.

Two lawyers from the Florida Attorney General's Office said they would file an appeal Tuesday.

''We respect the court's decision,'' said Assistant Attorney General Valerie Martin. ``Based upon the wishes of our client, the Department of Children & Families, we will file an appeal.''

Gill, who is raising the half-brothers, ages 4 and 8, said he was ''elated'' by the ruling and ``I cried tears of joy for the first time in my life." (Miami Herald)

Help Pass the Domestic Partnership Policy in Miami-Dade County

According to Gay News Net:

"A package of domestic-partnership benefits moved closer to passage in Miami-Dade County on Wednesday, clearing committee and advancing to the full County Commission for a vote later this month or in May.

The proposal gives domestic partners, regardless of sexual orientation, the legal right to visit each other in hospitals and jails. It would also let county employees buy health insurance coverage for their partners and partners' children.

''We're a family and we need to have that sense of security,'' said Cristina Florez, whose partner works for the county's aviation department. Florez's unborn daughter was due Monday, and she said independent insurance will be practically unavoidable when she becomes a stay-at-home mother.

The proposal defines domestic partners as unmarried adults who are at least 18, live together, are not blood relatives and consider themselves ``immediate family.''

It was approved 3-1 in the Economic Development and Human Services Committee, with Commissioners Katy Sorenson, Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss voting for it and Javier Souto dissenting."

Please urge commissioners to adopt the Domestic Partnership Policy!

Email: Click here to email the Commissioners!