General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBEAUTIFUL FAMILY.The great mayor of Tallahassee stands for marriage equality. Today, History is made
Equality Florida with Andrew Gillum and R. Jai Gillum, Jackson and Caroline
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum has a special message for all loving couples living in counties that have ended courthouse marriage ceremonies:
"At midnight tonight, most of the state of Florida will take a collective step towards complete equality by affording people the right to marry whomever they choose. I am disheartened, however, by the decision of several counties around Florida to discontinue the opportunity for people to have courthouse marriage ceremonies. In light of these unfortunate announcements, I would like to extend an invitation to the loving couples of Duval, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Baker, Clay, Pasco, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Franklin, and Wakulla Counties to hold their marriage ceremonies here in the Capital City. I hope that this issue reminds us that love is never wrong, and that equality must continue to be a part of the progress we work to drive in our community, our state, and in our country. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, The time is always right to do what is right.'"
https://www.facebook.com/equalityfl
to the Democratic Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida inviting the "loving couples" to his city to be married! "Love Is Never Wrong"
Behind the Aegis
(53,915 posts)I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about.
Thank you Tallahassee Mayor, Andrew Gillum!
Cha
(296,733 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,915 posts)It demonstrates a need for minorities to "look out" for each other, as well as our allies. United we stand, divided we fall.
Cha
(296,733 posts)sheshe2
(83,626 posts)United we stand. All else fails.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Gee, I wonder why?
What a great message!
Cha
(296,733 posts)A superb message of love! Mahalo pinboy~
Heidi
(58,237 posts)And good morning, Cha!
Behind the Aegis
(53,915 posts)and another
Heidi
(58,237 posts)Happy New Year, friend!
Cha
(296,733 posts)Good Mornin'
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Mahalo Cha!
Cha
(296,733 posts)until I saw this story tonight!
lovemydog~
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)I will never quit fighting for justice and for reduction of income inequality. I admit that I evolved on this issue, big time. Thanks to all the activists.
I'm so delighted that those who love each other can get married in Florida.
We've had so many victories in the past six years Cha. I'm glad that you & many others here at DU help celebrate them.
We'll never quit fighting for expansion of rights. That's what we do.
It's also nice to stop and smell the roses. We reached critical mass on gay marriage, and now the dam has broke. Next step: reducing inequality. And a whole lot of other things too!
Cha
(296,733 posts)I'm am so grateful for Mayor Gillum's statement that Welcomes those who are not allowed to marry in their own counties will be more than Welcome in the Capital City!
Stop and smelling the Roses..
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Muchas gracias mi amiga.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)I knew you'd like it. It's an amazing statement of Love for ALL from the Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)In a way, at least. One tendency identified by mental health professionals in trauma survivors is an intolerance for injustice. Drives us up the fucking wall!
Even in the sufferings there is something positive.
And as I heard one psychologist say at a trauma conference, "You have to be a pretty good person to be affected by PTSD."
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)I've always been the same way as you my friend.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)But as I told a college auditorium full of young, eager students: "You didn't have to go to Vietnam to find your compassion. But it sure could add a lot of depth."
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)The toughest question was about the bonding experience of vets, and isn't that a good reason for war?
I think I flubbed my answer then, but after that I'd point out the bonding experience of people who went through things like natural disasters. We don't need war to bond us. We shouldn't even need other disasters. It's hard to see, but we are bonded together without any of those things.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)We're bonded as brothers & sisters on this whacky planet. I'm glad you speak about it with others pinboy3niner. That's the kind of talks I enjoy. From the heart.
Like this subject, gay marriage. It feels good seeing rights and privileges extended to others. Freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. We've come a long way and still have a long way to go. Expansion of gay rights in our country, we saw this in our lifetimes. That's amazing. It makes us all feel less disconnected, more human.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)But I couldn't help but be impressed by his beautiful statement. And what a great pic of his family!
Cha
(296,733 posts)FB and I had to do it. You understand. I'm like "wait, what!?"
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)I was heading to sleep then I saw this post. I was like 'Wait, what?' I've gotta respond! So many good peeps out there. And so many beautiful roses to smell.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Andrew Gillum in as Mayor of their fine city!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)You done good. Mahalo!
Cha
(296,733 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Wonderful family.
Thank you citizens of Tallahassee who voted for this warm & loving man.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Lochloosa
(16,057 posts)I really miss Tallahassee.
Cha
(296,733 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Woo hoo!
brer cat
(24,513 posts)He could have easily said "not my problem," but he chose the right time to do what is right.
Thanks for posting, Cha. I think most of us would have missed this if you hadn't!
Cha
(296,733 posts)LeftOfWest
(482 posts)Really needed to read something like this today.
Love Mayor Gillum, class act who gets it, equal rights under the law.
Thank you very much Cha!
The time is always right to do what is right.'
This.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Thank you~
Cha
(296,733 posts)calimary
(81,085 posts)Hope we see more leaders like His Honor all over this country.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Mahalo Cha!!
Cha
(296,733 posts)Spazito
(50,106 posts)Thanks, Cha, for posting this, it really is beautiful in so many ways.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Thank you for your response!
Spazito
(50,106 posts)for every ugly action, statement, etc. there are so many more wonderful, caring ones and your OP helped me remember that.
Thank you.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Mahalo
Yay!
Cha
(296,733 posts)Thank you!
Cha
(296,733 posts)mcar
(42,278 posts)But I am reading this. Congratulations to all our FL happy couples.
Cha
(296,733 posts)mcar
(42,278 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)csziggy
(34,131 posts)I've met him only long enough to shake his hand, but I've read about his career in Tallahassee politics for years.
I hope he decides to move his political ambitions higher. We need men like him in the Florida legislature, working their way to even higher offices!
Thank you, Andrew Gillum, for demonstrating what a great place Tallahassee and Leon County can be by being inclusive and choosing the path of love over the pit of hate.
ETA: For those who would like to know more about Andrew Gillum, here is his bio page at the Talgov site:
http://www.talgov.com/commission/commission-officials-gillum.aspx
He was 23 when he was first elected to office in 2003. This is his third time around as mayor, having been elected mayor pro tem in 2004, again in 2008, and yet again in 2012!
This is a man worth keeping an eye on!
Cha
(296,733 posts)pointing out he "took the path of love over the pit of hate."
csziggy
(34,131 posts)Your statement shows that not all of Florida citizens are hateful and that many communities can offer an open hand to those who just want to profess their love.
Thank you - oh, and you have a beautiful family.
I don't live in the city limits so I've never voted for him - but I will watch his career closer and be ready to volunteer if he runs for a state office!
Cha
(296,733 posts)csziggy
(34,131 posts)I figured there are enough conservatives he might be getting some hate emails so I wanted to thank him. He deserves ot!
RayOfHope
(1,829 posts)Reading this makes a nice positive end to my very long and not so nice day.
Cha
(296,733 posts)AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)sheshe2
(83,626 posts)Can't even begin to let you know how much I needed this tonight.
So beautiful.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Sorry, I took so long..
treestar
(82,383 posts)Great thing he had to say. One great family there.
Cha
(296,733 posts)Cha
(296,733 posts)chillfactor
(7,572 posts)and what a beautiful family
Cha
(296,733 posts)prominent so many many more People can read it!
Cha
(296,733 posts)get the red out
(13,460 posts)Of wise and compassionate people like him in leadership positions. They are a lovely family.
Cha
(296,733 posts)handmade34
(22,756 posts)did a little research... we need more politicians like Gillum!!
http://www.talgov.com/commission/commission-officials-gillum.aspx
Cha
(296,733 posts)Such a fine person.. mahalo, handmade!