[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E947-E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LBGT) PRIDE MONTH
_____
HON. ALAN GRAYSON
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.
recognizing the leadership of state representative joe saunders
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize State Representative Joe
Saunders. Representative Saunders was elected to the Florida House on
November 6, 2012 to serve House District 49 in East Orange County, and
made history as one of Florida's first openly gay state lawmakers.
A graduate of the University of Central Florida's Political Science,
Women's Studies, and Legal Studies programs, Joe began his political
work as a community organizer on campus. As a campus leader, Joe fought
for environmental protections, affordable tuition rates, and stronger
anti-discrimination policies. He also ran civic engagement programs to
register and empower young voters.
After graduating in 2005, Joe began working for Equality Florida, a
statewide civil rights group dedicated to educating and advocating for
the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Over the past
ten years, he has led coalitions that have won non-discrimination
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protections for over 1.5 million people in Central Florida. Joe was
also a key leader in the 2008 passage of the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up
for All Students Act, Florida's first anti-bullying law.
In addition to his legislative duties, Representative Saunders
currently serves as the Director of Civic Engagement for the Equality
Florida Institute where he works to register and engage progressive
voters in the political process. He also directs the Equality Florida
Institute's Equality Means Business program where he works to improve
Florida's national and international reputation by spotlighting major
employers in Florida who are leading the way on inclusion and
diversity.
Joe has held leadership roles with Planned Parenthood of Greater
Orlando, the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce, Orange
County Democratic Executive Committee, and was a board member at Mad
Cow Theatre.
A respected leader in arts education, for several years Joe has
chaired the Osceola Arts for a Complete Education Coalition which
advocates for quality arts education in K-12 public schools. He is a
member of ``The Circle'' coalition for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts
Center and a past board member for the arts education non-profit,
Applause Academy. Recognizing Joe's contributions, the Florida Alliance
for Arts Education awarded him with their 2013 Leadership Award.
During the 2013 and 2014 legislative session, Rep. Saunders filed the
Florida Competitive Workforce Act which would ban employment and
housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity. The bi-partisan bill earned 35 co-sponsors including 10
Republicans.
Rep. Saunders serves on the House Education Committee, Higher
Education and Workforce Subcommittee, Health Quality Subcommittee and
is the Ranking Democratic member of the Choice and Innovation
Subcommittee.
I am happy to honor Representative Joe Saunders, during LGBT Pride
Month, for his leadership and service to the Central Florida community.
Recognizing the Contributions of Michael Slaymaker
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Michael Slaymaker. Michael
has a phenomenal record of success in his career as a fundraising
professional and a gay rights advocate. Whether the nonprofit
organization was large or small, Michael's knowledge, skills,
abilities, and dedication to the mission of these organizations earned
the same results--he doubled the fundraising revenues, in some cases
increased the revenues ten-fold. During his career, Michael Slaymaker
has generated over $33 million for nonprofit organizations.
Michael started out as a volunteer fundraiser for the Orlando Gay
Chorus (OGC) in August 1998, but was quickly hired as a part rime
contract employee to help the small arts organization. During his
tenure, he helped OGC increase their annual budget from $28,000 to
$189,000. Raising funds for a gay organization in Orlando was a
challenge, but Michael's commitment to diversity and his belief in the
chorus' vision to use music to change images and attitudes, build a
stronger community, and make the world a better place created a
tremendous impact. Many local arts organization in Orlando have closed
their doors, but due to the ten years of success from Michael's
fundraising efforts, OGC continues to entertain audiences and remain
solvent.
Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA) provides a safe space for Central
Florida gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teenagers
through support groups, and social, educational, and recreational
activities, so that none of the youth will ever feel that suicide is
the answer. In 2007, Michael Slaymaker became the volunteer Board
President. Although the organization was founded in 1990, it took
Michael's leadership and knowledge to secure a 501(c)(3) designation
and take this tiny nonprofit organization to new levels. Michael
strengthened the board and volunteer structure and increased the number
of chapters, so that the number of youth being served could increase
significantly. Michael serves as the main volunteer fundraiser and
leader today. He has increased their annual campaign from $1,900 to a
high of $49,000 for this all-volunteer organization. Over the past 25
years, OYA has impacted the lives of 1,300 young people and not a
single one has committed suicide.
After being denied a job by a local non-profit because he was gay,
Michael recruited a group of volunteers to change local ordinances and
policies to make sure what happened to him would never happen to anyone
else. In April, 2000, Michael founded the Orlando Anti-Discrimination
Ordinance Committee (OADO). The mission of OADO is to secure protection
for Central Florida residents from discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Under Michael's
leadership, drive, and direction the group has amended or updated a
staggering 15 ordinances and policies in Orange County, Florida.
I am happy to honor Michael Slaymaker, during LGBT Pride Month, for
his contributions to the Central Florida community.
Recognizing the Contributions of Randy Stephens
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Randy Stephens. Raised in
rural Alabama by blue collar parents, Randy learned activism at an
early age. Both parents were officials with local unions and were role
models for employee activism. The picket line was Randy's childhood
playground. Upon graduation from Talladega High School, Randy attended
Auburn University where he became involved in student government. His
interest in government grew while attending Cumberland School of Law
from which he graduated in 1981.
After serving as staff attorney for Justice Eric Embry of the Alabama
Supreme Court, Randy took a position with the Alabama Education
Association (AEA). While serving as attorney and lobbyist, Randy worked
on influencing politics by using a statewide network of teachers and
support personnel in local campaigns. As a result, AEA was a dominant
voice in state politics for decades.
Looking for a change, Randy relocated to Florida in 1992. The
activist in him began to get restless. He became involved in, and later
chaired, the Rainbow Democratic Club and became the GLBT Democratic
Caucus's Region Director for Central Florida. Randy helped lay the
groundwork for identifying and registering LGBT persons in Orange
County. Thousands of members of the community were registered, giving
the community increased influence in many local and statewide
elections. Randy also served as a member of the Orlando Anti-
Discrimination Ordinance Committee (OADO) which successfully championed
for equality rights in both the City of Orlando and the Orange County
Board of Commissioners.
Randy has served as the Executive Director of the GLBT Community
Center of Central Florida for the past four years. During this time
``The Center'' has become a vital part of the GLBT Community, hosting
numerous Town Hall meetings and providing the community with useful
information on issues like marriage equality. Also, during Randy's
tenure, The Center expanded its HIV testing hours, becoming the first
center in Florida to test seven days a week and one of the largest HIV
testing centers in the state.
Recently married to his partner, Thomas Berthier, Randy anticipates
the overturning of the remaining sections of the Defense of Marriage
Act and the Florida ban on same sex marriage. Randy always looks for
ways to ensure equality for all.
I am happy to honor Randy Stephens, during LGBT Pride Month, for his
contributions to the Central Florida community.
Recognizing the Contributions of Maria Ruiz Margenot
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Maria Ruiz Margenot. Born
in Cuba during Castro's Revolution, Maria witnessed the debilitating
effect of a culture robbed of its freedoms, rights, and voice. Her
parents, Victor and Rosaura Ruiz, at immense personal sacrifice, took
their young children and fled political oppression. Upon arriving in
the United States, her family was classified as political refugees and
they were able to obtain green cards.
Maria's family began anew at the Jersey shore. From her experience as
a refugee, Maria learned to value the right to vote, to speak out, and
to seek social justice.
Maria moved to South Florida, where she found her niche in the
hospitality industry, as well as a large community of Cuban exiles.
There, she was able to raise her daughter, Ashley, and experienced and
embraced both her Cuban and American heritage.
Through passion and commitment, Maria has become a formidable leader
in both her industry and community. She is an instrumental figure at
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, one of the most recognized and respected
hospitality companies in the world. She serves as Senior Vice President
of Sales Development, Recruiting and Training. Maria has impacted her
company by fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity. She has
championed diversity efforts to ensure everyone will feel accepted and
valued in the workplace. As a result of employees like Maria, Wyndham
Vacation Ownership is consistently named a Best Place to Work for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality.
As her company's highest-ranking Hispanic woman, she was the founding
executive sponsor of FUERTE!, a Hispanic employee resource group. Maria
has shared her personal story through WynPride, her company's group for
LGBT employees and straight allies. Her work isn't confined to the
walls of her office
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building, as she's a strong voice for the LGBT population in the
business community.
Maria volunteers for the Human Rights Campaign and serves as Fed Club
co-chair. She's a member of various civic groups, such as Equality
Florida, 100 Women Strong, the Florida Diversity Council, the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, MBA Orlando, and NCLR (National
Council of La Raza). Following in her mother's footsteps as a strong
supporter of organizations committed to women's reproductive health,
she also serves on the board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.
Maria has represented Wyndham Worldwide at the Top 50 Latina Women
Award at the White House, has received the Multicultural Leadership
Award from the Florida Diversity Council, and has been recognized as
Woman of the Year by the National Professional Women's Association.
I am happy to honor Maria Ruiz Margenot, during LGBT Pride Month, for
her contributions to the Central Florida community.
Recognizing the Contributions of Mary Meeks
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Mary Meeks. As a child
Mary learned fearlessness from her mother, Syble Meeks, who taught her
to recognize injustice and stand up for herself and others. Even back
then Mary knew she wanted to be an attorney and when she grew up and
entered law school, civil rights and constitutional law became her
passion and life's work.
Mary has practiced law in Central Florida since 1988, where she has
represented individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500
companies for over 26 years. But nothing has been more important or
gratifying to her than fighting and dismantling discrimination, whether
on behalf of a client or on behalf of an entire community.
Currently, Mary is a member of the legal team representing six
plaintiff couples and Equality Florida who have filed a historic
lawsuit challenging Florida's two state statutes and state
constitutional amendment which ban marriage equality. She is honored to
be working alongside Shannon Minter of the National Center for Lesbian
Rights, the most influential attorney in the national LGBT rights
movement, to bring marriage equality to Florida.
Mary has worked extensively with municipal and state government to
write and advocate for legislation to legally protect LGBT individuals,
couples, and families in Florida. Her work has resulted in numerous
Human Rights Ordinances and Domestic Partnership Registries, and a
multitude of Employee Benefits being implemented throughout the state.
Mary co-authored the 2012 Orlando/Orange County Domestic Partnership
Registry Ordinance which became model legislation for other local
communities in Florida. She is also the co-author of Florida Senate and
House Bills which have been introduced to create a statewide domestic
partnership registry to provide important legal protections to same-sex
couples no matter where they live or travel.
Mary has served the LGBT and wider community in many leadership
positions, including serving on the Boards of the National LGBT Bar
Foundation, the Central Florida ACLU Legal Panel, the Orlando Anti-
Discrimination Ordinance Committee, the Central Florida Association for
Women Lawyers, the Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association, and
Equality Florida's Central Florida Steering Committee. Mary has taught
Employment Discrimination Law and Florida Civil Practice as an Adjunct
Professor at Barry University School of Law, and has served as a
consultant to The Orlando Business Journal and The Orlando Sentinel on
employment issues.
Mary is a frequent speaker and author on employment and civil rights
issues. Her column, ``Living Loud,'' is featured regularly in The
Watermark, Florida's statewide LGBT publication. Mary and her wife,
Vicki Nantz, have produced a series of acclaimed documentaries on
social justice subjects and have traveled together throughout the state
advocating for equality.
I am happy to honor Mary Meeks, during LGBT Pride Month, for her
contributions to the Central Florida community.
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