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Candidates lobby gays for support

Four Democrats running for a congressional seat speak at a forum in Tampa.

By BILL VARIAN
Published August 10, 2006

TAMPA - Democrats running for the District 11 congressional seat being vacated by Jim Davis appealed for the backing of gay and lesbian voters Wednesday in a forum held by a group seeking to advance rights for those groups.

In a year in which gay and lesbian voters appear to be particularly mobilized after Hillsborough County commissioners voted to ban government recognition of gay pride events and displays, all five candidates put in appearances before the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus of the Democratic Party.

None of them offered views on gay marriage or civil unions, nor were they asked about the idea. But each left the 50 or so people gathered at a Carrollwood Piccadilly Cafeteria assured that they would fight for their interests.

State Sen. Les Miller spoke of growing up in the South. He said he would fight to advance the civil rights of all people.

"I have faced discrimination eyeball to eyeball," Miller said. "I know how much that hurts. I will not let that happen to anyone."

Al Fox, an advocate for opening relations with Cuba, spent most of his introductory comments talking about a recent visit to that country. But he said he'd be willing to sign a compact, a la former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich's Contract with America, that would outline Democratic values, including those important to the gay and lesbian community.

Lawyer Scott Farrell told a story from his work with the county's guardian ad litem program where he came to know a young boy who was placed with a foster family because of horrific abuse he suffered from his birth parents before he was 2 years old. The child is now 8 and living with loving parents who have helped him live a normal life.

His foster parents are both female, Farrell said by revealing their first names. With the state government blocking foster care adoptions by gay or lesbian couples, Farrell said, children who need it are being denied the ability to grow up safe and healthy.

"I'm going to go to D.C. and work hard for you," he told the group. "Civil rights for everyone!"

Attorney Michael Steinberg opened his remarks by saying, "Most of us are on the same page with you on every issue." He then made a pitch that they vote for him because of his expertise on certain issues, such as Social Security and disability law, which he says needs revamping.

The caucus president, Sally Phillips, said county Commissioner Kathy Castor, the lone vote against that board's vote against gay pride recognition, dropped by the meeting before it officially started but had to leave before the candidates got to speak in order to attend a commission public hearing.

[Last modified August 10, 2006, 01:16:42]