User:Tkamerso/sandbox

Research Notes, 9/25
Hi Tiffany, Chika, Amanda, and Rose! You have been assigned the article on Equality Florida. Here are your research notes from class on 9/25:


 * Familiarize current laws in FL of equality
 * Info on each chapter
 * Any recent changes on law

You also, on Post-Its, noted some other challenges/ideas you'll have to reckon with, including finding contact information on more than the 2 people listed under "key people" and finding references potentially. You may also be interested to know that one of your classmates, Haylee Bilbray, is working to create a new article about a key piece of policy that Equality Florida helped to enact--the St. Petersburg Human Rights Ordinance. You all may be able to help one another.

-Professor Hagood

Sources Workshop Activity
I would add community involvement and use this newspaper article and talk about how Equality Florida awarded Emma Gonzalez and Marjory Stoneman Douglas the Voice for Equality Award.

I would add a link to the official Equality Florida page that shows each employee (key people) contact information.

(This will be in the section of major historical events in St. Petersburg/Tampa area that has affected the LGBT community) St. Petersburg throws a three day pride parade celebration leading up to the court decision on same-sex marriage.

Tkamerso (talk) 17:04, 4 October 2018 (UTC)TAmerson

10/04/18--Really good work so far, y'all! --Prof. Hagood

38.140.224.154 (talk) 18:24, 4 October 2018 (UTC)hagoody

Equality Florida- 1st Draft
Equality Florida

Planned Updates Outline

Informative introduction - We plan to add more recent changes in Florida legislation. Since the Act that was mentioned was from 2008. Another addition we'd like to make is to give historical information as to how and why Equality Florida became an organization. For example, where exactly it was established. We can list some organizations that Equality Florida has collaborated with to make a difference for the LGBTQ+ community. We could expand more on who Nadine Smith is (the director) and what drove her to start Equality Florida. This would also be a good section to add an image to. Also, the introduction states that Equality Florida has fought against anti-LGBT bills every year but has only mentioned two in the entire article. Therefore, we will add other contributions Equality Florida has made.

Chapters - We feel as if this section favors Tampa more than the other Chapters, so we would like to expand this section in an unbiased manner. Once we review the history of Equality Florida and its milestones, then we will be able to focus more on the importance of each place. The wording in this section can also be reworked, since some of it is a little awkward to read (i.e. "inception").

See Also - Instead of providing links, we could incorporate this information into the text. Since, when you click the link wiki says citations are needed for verification. The links don't seem reliable enough to keep as they appear. Perhaps, noting what the links say and providing further research in the text from the links would be useful for readers on wiki.

References - We plan on referencing the information that is added by our groups members. Therefore, the section will most definitely be changed.

External links - We are not making any changes to this section. We believe that Equality Florida provides updated sources for readers to find at their own leisure.

Drafted Section Equality Florida is both a political advocacy group which advocates for civil rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents of the U.S. state of Florida as well as a non-profit arm, "Equality Florida Institute." It was established in 1997 and has been headed since its inception by executive director Nadine Smith. The organization has chapters throughout Florida. Every year, Equality Florida fights against bills it views as discriminatory toward LGBT Floridians and launches pro-LGBT legislation. Equality Florida played a critical role in ending Florida’s 33-year anti-gay adoption ban, as well as assisting in the passage of the 2008 Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act, an anti-bullying law that has resulted in protections from anti-LGBT bullying and harassment for students across the entire state.[1]

Revised draft

Equality Florida is both a political advocacy group which advocates for civil rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents of the U.S. state of Florida as well as a non-profit arm, "Equality Florida Institute." It was established in 1997 and has been headed since its inception by executive director Nadine Smith. Smith, a former award-winning journalist at the Tampa Tribune, served as one of the four national co-chairs on the 1993 March on Washington. After graduating high school, Smith attended the Air Force Academy, but left after the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy in 1993. Smith began her role as an activist in college, 1986, and went on to serve on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization. Smith has been awarded one of "Florida's Most Powerful and Influential Women" by The Florida Diversity Council Equality Florida consists of two organizations. Equality Florida Institute (Educational Charity), and Equality Florida Action (Advocacy Organization). The organization has chapters throughout Florida and actively works with other organizations in order to promote acceptance and change in the state. One example of such collaboration is with GLAAD. The two organizations have released an LGBTQ Guidebook for the state and it provides information covering current legislative efforts, personal stories, LGBTQ+ dialect, and a lists of other organizations that both GLAAD and Equality Florida affiliate with. Every year, Equality Florida fights against bills it views as discriminatory toward LGBT Floridians and launches pro-LGBT legislation. Equality Florida played a critical role in ending Florida’s 33-year anti-gay adoption ban, as well as assisting in the passage of the 2008 Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act, an anti-bullying law that has resulted in protections from anti-LGBT bullying and harassment for students across the entire state.[1]

Reference

 * 1) Nina Maruca Editing
 * 2)  What does the article / draft do well? Is there anything from your review that impressed you? Any turn of phrase that described the subject in a clear way? 
 * 3) I loved how the sentences flow together. You give relevant information about the topic in an order than makes sense and is easy to read. You also have many different sources, which makes your information stronger.
 * 4)  What changes would you suggest the author apply to the article or draft? What would those changes be an improvement? 
 * 5) Explain GLAAD more so.

Reflection Questions


 * There needs to be an expansion on the history (as already stated). However, the introductory paragraph did give a correct date and description of the 2008 Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act. It could use some more up-to-date information and where legislators stand as far as the adoption policies go
 * After sifting through the discussion pages for this article, it seems that this article has been rated "of low importance." I believe that if our group is able to make enough revisions, this rating could increase and be of use for readers. The issues being addressed will be what we believe is priority. Priorities include adding adequate information to the introduction section as well as other references and images. The page does seem weak enough (now) to make numerous additions.
 * After sifting through the discussion pages for this article, it seems that this article has been rated "of low importance." I believe that if our group is able to make enough revisions, this rating could increase and be of use for readers. The issues being addressed will be what we believe is priority. Priorities include adding adequate information to the introduction section as well as other references and images. The page does seem weak enough (now) to make numerous additions.


 * Under the chapters section, there is a lack of references on the activities of Equality Florida. They have a list of organizations the Tampa chapter follows. It would be great to find more information on what Equality Florida has achieved as a whole and have references for people to be able to read more about. If someone were to look up Equality Florida to decide if they wanted to contribute, they would not find many accomplishments.


 * We would like to add one photo of Nadine Smith in the introduction paragraph. We would also like to add the equality flag.

Final Draft
Equality Florida is both a political advocacy group which advocates for civil rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents of the U.S. state of Florida as well as a non-profit arm, "Equality Florida Institute." It was established in 1997 and has been headed since its inception by executive director Nadine Smith. Smith, a former award-winning journalist at the Tampa Tribune, served as one of the four national co-chairs on the 1993 March on Washington. After graduating high school, Smith attended the Air Force Academy, but left after the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy in 1993. Smith began her role as an activist in college, 1986, and went on to serve on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization. Smith also led the movement to enact the St. Petersburg Human Rights Ordinance (insert external link to Haylee's page, when available), which was passed in January 2002. This law originally protected those whom resided in St. Petersburg, Florida from discrimination no matter their sexual orientation, and provided them with equal rights to public accommodation, housing, employment, and as of 2016, wage theft. Now this protection has expanded to all of Pinellas County.

Equality Florida consists of two organizations. Equality Florida Institute (Educational Charity), and Equality Florida Action (Advocacy Organization). The organization has chapters throughout Florida and actively works with other organizations in order to promote acceptance and change in the state. One example of such collaboration is with GLAAD. The two organizations have released an LGBTQ Guidebook for the state and it provides information covering current legislative efforts, personal stories, LGBTQ+ dialect, and a list of other organizations that both GLAAD and Equality Florida affiliate with. Every year, Equality Florida fights against bills it views as discriminatory toward LGBT Floridians and launches pro-LGBT legislation. Equality Florida played a critical role in ending Florida’s 33-year anti-gay adoption ban, as well as assisting in the passage of the 2008 Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act, an anti-bullying law that has resulted in protections from anti-LGBT bullying and harassment for students across the entire state.[1] Equality Florida deals with a range of issues including: discrimination, family recognition, hate crimes, and marriage. There is no statewide law that prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in Florida. However, Equality Florida continues to address hate crimes by standing up to hate crimes each time they occur. Equality Florida ensures that hate crime victims are treated with dignity by local law enforcement, and prosecutors. Equality Florida helps make the marriage process as seamless as possible during the marriage license, waiting period, and the ceremony.

Miami chapter: The Miami chapter is led by Miami development officer Jonathan Barrio. The Miami chapter holds an annual gala for Equality Florida. The National Center for Lesbian Rights and Equality Florida combined to file a law suit to challenge Florida's 2008 same-sex marriage ban. On January 5, 2015, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel lifted the ban that allowed for same sex marriage.

Orlando chapter: The Orlando chapter has raised more than $9 million on their #HonorThemWithAction GoFundMe in honor of the victims of the Pulse shooting in 2016. Every dollar that was raised to honor the victims was donated. Since 2016, The Orlando chapter has continued to fight to get an anti-discrimination order signed. This order would protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation within the Florida government.

Tallahassee chapter: The Tallahassee chapter is led by development officer Michelle Adams-Manning. Jon Harris Maurer is the Public Policy Director for Equality Florida in Tallahassee. The Tallahassee chapter holds an annual gala to celebrate leaders who make a difference in the LGBTQ community. On November 20, 2018, Equality Florida held a vigil to recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance and Visibility to remember transgender and gender non-conforming individuals whose lives were taken because of transphobia.

Pinellas chapter: The Pinellas chapter is led by development officer Todd Richardson. Esmé Rodríguez is the Pinellas Safe and Healthy Schools Coordinator for Equality Florida.

Sarasota chapter: The Sarasota chapter coordinates many opportunities for community members to volunteer to support the LGBTQ community. These events include but are not limited to, Sarasota's Harvey Milk Festival and the 2018 Suncoast Celebration. They also contributed to the Sarasota Pride Festival in 2017. In 2016, Equality Sarasota gathered supporters for an event called Rally to End Hate to protest against Mike Pence's anti-LGBTQ campaign when he came to Sarasota. Gainesville chapter: The Gainesville chapter of Equality Florida is led by Susan Bottcher. Susan joined in the effort of defeating a local anti-transgender “bathroom ordinance” in place in Gainesville in 2009. Her efforts in this matter led to her introduction to Equality Florida and the work that is done by the organization around the state. Susan serves on the Gainesville chapter of the Equality Florida Steering Committee, which plans the annual Gala that is held. Being a straight ally, Susan is fully aware that her support and advocacy surrounding the issue can help to amplify the issues and voices of her loved ones in the LGBTQ community. Key West chapter: The Key West chapter of Equality Florida is led by Babs Wade — the Development Associate. Babs has been residing on the island for 18 years, following a 20-year career in real estate in the UK. She was the area manager for one of the country’s largest corporate estate agents. Babs has put most of her time here into travel and tourism, and has also volunteered and served on the board of the Key West Business Guild. The Key West Business Guild is the nation’s very first LGBT destination marketing organization. Fort Lauderdale chapter: The Fort Lauderdale chapter of Equality Florida is led by Chris Rudisill — the Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Chris is dedicated to working to preserve, and share the proud culture, of the LGBTQ community. Tampa chapter: The Tampa chapter of Equality Florida is run by Development Director Mark Puskarich. Mark is a proud member of this organization and works to raise support and awareness for the important work they do around the state. Before joining the organization full-time, Mark had served on Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala Steering Committee in 2012, and as the vice chair and chair of the committees for both galas held in 2014 and 2015. Mark’s duty as the Development Director for the organization is to manage Equality Florida’s major fundraising programs, including membership, annual galas, corporate gifts, and legacy giving. Jacksonville chapter: The Jacksonville chapter of Equality Florida is led by Dan VanTice. The passion that Dan has for politics became ignited while he was living in Washington D.C. — this passion for politics was particularly involved with LGBTQ rights. Some of the work for Equality Florida in Jacksonville that Dan has been involved with is serving as the Chair and Co-Chair of the Jacksonville Gala and hosting various events with his husband Brett. These events have included Equality Connections, Council Mixers, and Committee meetings. In an effort to gain support, and the eventual passage of the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville, Dan has met with local politicians, small business owners, influential religious leaders, and corporate leaders.

New
New References to add to official Wiki page: ===