Big Trend: Domestic partner registries
Central Florida was on fire this year when it came to implementing domestic partner registries. In January, the city of Orlando officially registered its first couples. Also in January, LGBT activists put pressure on Orange County mayor Theresa Jacobs to follow suit. Jacobs would not commit but in February, a plan came before the County Commissioners and they moved forward. The HELP Ordinance, which pretty much allowed anyone to become “domestic partners with any other individual, moved forward in May and couples began registering in July. That same month, same-sexcouples began registering in Volusia County.
Saunders sworn in
Joe Saunders wasn’t the first openly gay person elected to the Florida Legislature – after a victory in the August primaries, that honor goes to David Richardson (D-Miami Beach). However, thanks to a little luck when the speaker called the legislators up to take the oath of office, Saunders did become the first openly gay person to be sworn into the Florida Legislature. After a decisive win in the primaries and a strong campaign across the board, the former Equality Florida staffer made history with his partner by his side. Saunders wasn’t the only history-making candidate this year. Though her bid was not successful, Gina Duncan was the first transgender candidate to run for Orange County Commissioner.
Zebra House opens doors
Orlando’s LGBT youth have new headquarters. On Dec. 5, Zebra Coalition leaders and Commissioner Patty Sheehan cut the ribbon on the Zebra House, which will serve as the Coalition’s office space and emergency shelter for at-risk LGBT youth. Centrally located in Mills Ave., the building is equipped with computer stations, a library and even a custom zebra-striped Xbox.
Orange County Schools votes down discrimination
Once the Florida Family Association got involved, a proposed addition of sexual identity and gender expression to the Orange County School Board’s non-discrimination policy went from touchy to downright contentious. Things got even more heated when local TV media made the bizarre decision to frame the issue as a “cross dressing initiative,” putting the emphasis on the possibility of gender-transitioning teachers rather than what it was really about – protecting LGBT students and staffers from discrimination. After an 8-hour hearing in front of a packed room, the school board stood strong and opted to approve the inclusive policy with a 6-2 vote.
Biggest Gay Days yet
Sure, Gay Days is big every year, but 2012 was huge. Organizers reported the 1,000-room host hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton, was sold out earlier than ever before while local bars hosted weekend events with record attendance. Not even a rainy start could dampen the fun, with revelers simply opting to pack into the sold-out Gay Days Expo while they waited for the storms to pass. GayDays.com organizers expanded this year, adding another Gay Days weekend in Vegas, but there’s no indication it will steal the spotlight from the original in Orlando. Gay Days.com co-owner Chris Manley reports they’ve renewed their contract with the Doubletree for another three years.
