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City People

Defending his beliefs

Like any good American, the man behind the library flap likes to see injustice rectified.

By JANET ZINK
Published July 1, 2005

HARBOUR ISLAND - He has season tickets to the Bucs and Lightning games, likes science fiction movies and served in the Air Force.

He goes to church regularly and for most of his life was a registered Republican.

He's also gay.

Al Giraud insists he's just like any other man. He likes sports and beer and TV remote controls. He's just a little tidier than most men, he said with a laugh.

Giraud, who lives on Harbour Island with his partner of three years, made news last week when he filed a complaint with the city's Office of Human Rights, saying the removal of a gay-themed book display from the downtown library violates Tampa's human rights ordinance.

On June 15, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to prohibit the county government from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events. Kathy Castor cast the lone vote against it.

The display at the John F. Germany Library came down hours later.

"I consider that to have been discrimination since sexual orientation is protected under city ordinance," Giraud said.

City attorneys are still reviewing the complaint, but Giraud said all he really wants is an apology and the display reinstated for a few weeks.

During a Gay Pride march Sunday from the library to the County Center, Giraud carried a rainbow flag.

Nancy Combs, the mother of one of Giraud's friends, walked beside him carrying a sign that said: "Straight Not Narrow."

"We have to stand up with him or it won't work," said Combs, who drove from New Port Richey for the march.

Some at the march said Giraud was an inspiration for filing the complaint and being willing to come out in the press.

"He's not sitting back. He's taking action," Ercilia Albistu said.

Giraud works as human resources director at University Village, a north Tampa retirement community. He was born in West Palm Beach, the son of Cuban immigrants. He experienced discrimination at a young age.

He and his family were the first Hispanics in an all-white neighborhood. Shortly after moving in, someone spray-painted ethnic slurs on the sidewalk in front of their house. Kids threw pine cones at him and called him names.

One day, his mother took him by the hand and went to one of his tormentors' homes. They confronted the boy's mother.

"I was scared, but I was a good kid so I did whatever Mom said. It was a lesson in standing up for yourself," he said.

The American dream that his parents achieved - a house with two cars in the driveway - filled him with patriotism, Giraud said.

That's why he joined the military.

"I wanted to give back to the country for what it had given to my parents," he said. "With hard work and opportunity and protection under the law, they were able to move themselves forward."

His mother worked as a hairdresser. His father ran a family carpeting business. On election days, they took Giraud and his older sister with them to the voting booths.

He became a Republican because he identified with the party's stance on less government. Giraud got involved in the College Republicans while a student at Palm Beach Community College. In 1992, he attended the Republican convention as a guest of the Florida delegation.

He switched to no party affiliation in 2002 when Republicans supported the proposed federal marriage amendment, which would have prevented states from sanctioning same-sex marriages.

He registered as a Democrat early last year after word spread that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. Initially, he supported the war.

"I felt betrayed," he said.

He's now on the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee.

Giraud said he didn't come out as gay until 1999, after serving more than three years in the "don't ask, don't tell" military and an 18-month marriage.

"I've always known I was gay," he said.

For a long time, he tried to convince himself he wasn't. Eventually, "God gave me the strength to be what I am."

His family supported him, he said.

Giraud said he's particularly grateful to the city of Tampa and Mayor Pam Iorio for defending gay pride. Although the County Commission decision disturbs him, he says he won't move.

"If we leave because the county doesn't want us here, who's going to fight for us?"

Janet Zink can be reached at 226-3401 or jzink@sptimes.com

AGE: 34

HOME: Giraud lives on Harbour Island with his partner of three years and two cats.

JOB: Human resources director at University Village, a north Tampa retirement community.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Giraud made news last week when he filed a complaint with Tampa's Office of Human Rights over the removal of a gay-themed book display at the downtown public library.

PARTY LOYALTY: Went from being a Republican to having no party affiliation to being a Democrat.

MILITARY HONORS: In 1996, Giraud was named Airman of the Year in his Air Force squadron.

TOP MOVIES: Star Wars series

WHAT'S NEXT: Giraud said he's considering running for public office, either the Tampa City Council or Hillsborough County Commission.

[Last modified June 30, 2005, 09:10:08]