Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 09:44:12 -0500 (EST) From: A Jay Eddy Subject: BWD Dom.Partnershps Pass 1-B For Immediate Release January 27, 1999 Contact: Broward Log Cabin Club of Florida P.O. Box 1281, Ft. Lauderdale,FL 33302 (954) LCR-1995 Domestic Partnerships Passed It's Time to Heal In Understanding & Outreach January 26th, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In a vote of support for equality of rights for gay women and men, five Broward County Commissioners made it possible for the first county ordinance in support of Domestic Partnership benefits to become a reality. Only Commission John Rodstrom did not favor the ordinance and thereby sided with activists of the evangelical-fundamentalist right who bitterly opposed its adoption on the premise that it destroys the essence of traditional Christian family values. They threatened an array of possible legal actions which would prevent the eventual implementation of any such benefits for either heterosexuals and/or gays. Barbara Collier, Broward's Christian Coalition leader, suggested that "living outside the traditional concept of marriage between a man and woman" tears at the fiber of our nation's morality. The Florida Gold Coast members and friends of the Broward Log Cabin Club find that comment skewing the issue. They extend their thanks to Commissioners Ilene Lieberman, Lori Parrish, Sue Gunzburer, Norman Abramowitz, Kristin Jacobs and Scott Cowan for their vote of confidence. "While we do not agree with Commissioner Rodstom's vote we respect his freedom of choice and now ask that he bridge the gap of dissention between those opposed and those who favor the ordinance so that amicable terms and conditions are ironed out at the table of inclusion and compromise" noted Jack Majeske BLCC President. On Monday evening January 25th Log Cabin members praised that very same possibility within the chambers of the County-wide Republican Executive Committee meeting at the Marriot Hotel. Dr. Lopiccolo focused on the allusion of extremism and the media's perception that the "Party of Lincoln" allegedly lacks a vision of fairness and inclusion. When questioned by Republican sideliners, about Dr. Lopiccolo's passionate commentary, Andy Eddy, BLCCF Director of Community Relations and Outreach, suggested, "It's time to reach some sort of healing point through outreach and understanding and not focus on costly bitterness and hostility against social compassion as our national debt stagnates and people hunger for accountability and credibility."