PLEASE; Contact Council Members Today and Attend Nov. 19th. Meeting

[Senator]

Dear Members, Supporters, & Allies. 

This Thursday, Nov 19th, the final reading and vote on adding Gender Identity and Expression to Tampa's Human Rights Ordinance, (HRO) will take place. The religious right plans on being there in force to try to derail the measure and if at all possible, we should be there in force as well. Our talking points should not to be to argue theirs. 

(Below is a copy of their talking points), but, to counter them with issues of importance to the city, such it's the "Fair", "Just" and "Right" thing to do. Tampa has a reputation of being inclusive, and has supported protecting the rights of city employees in the workplace equally. Our economy depends on keeping existing companies here, and welcoming new businesses to relocate here. Especially Fortune 500 companies whose polices support diversity and equal protection for their employees in the workplace. Let us take the high road and focus on what's best for the great City of Tampa and it's citizens. Let us not argue the distorted, misrepresented and scare tactic points those opposing the measure will make. For those of you who cannot attend the meeting, I can't express upon how important it is to take a moment to call, fax, and email council members to voice your full support for this measure. Amending Tampa's HRO to include gender identity and expression is the "Fair", "Just" and "Right" thing to do period.  I met with councilman John Dingfelder and learned that Linda Saul-Sena will not be able to attend the meeting. Which means a crucial vote for amending Tampa's HRO will not be made. This may or may not hurt us, but, to assure that we have the votes, it was suggested we focus on certain council members that we must contact. I've enclosed all their contact information; however, those who must hear from us are, Gwen Miller, Thomas Scott, Charlie Miranda, and Joseph Caetano. We can make our great city even better if we work together to achieve this common goal of equal protection for all employees in the workplace. 

In Peace Pride & Full Equality,

Zeke R. Zeke Fread
Director Pride Tampa Bay

[e-mail]

Stand-up Florida West Central DirectorExecutive Board, Media, IT & GSA Coordinator

[e-mail][phone] (Primary Contact Number)

[phone] (Cell)  

Tampa City Council Members Contact Information: Send one message to all city council members by copying and pasting email addresses into send To:[e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] 

Gwen MillerDistrict 1At-LargeChair Pro-Tem
315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602  
[e-mail]
Fax: [phone]

[phone]Olivia "Libby" Wilson, Legislative AideTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... Mary MulhernDistrict 2At-Large315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602 [e-mail] [phone](813) 274-7071Christina Voehl, Legislative AideTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... Linda Saul-SenaDistrict 3At-Large315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602   [e-mail] [phone](813) 274-8134To Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... John DingfelderDistrict 4315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602   [e-mail][phone] Fax [phone]Cynthia Sarff and James Reese, Legislative AidesTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... Thomas ScottDistrict 5Chairman315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL [e-mail]    [phone]Fax [phone]Belinda Allen, Legislative AideTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... Charlie MirandaDistrict 6315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL [e-mail] [phone] Fax [phone]Mary Bryan, Legislative AideTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe... Joseph CaetanoDistrict 7315 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL [e-mail] (813) 274-7076813) 274-7073 Thomas Nguyen, Legislative AideTo Send Online Message: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_customer_service_center/form.asp?strSe...  Community Issues Council Talking PointsThese are just a few of the examples where Christians and Christian businesses have been negatively impacted by the Human Rights Act or Human Rights Ordinances and by the pro-homosexual agendas of these organizations.The federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act is also a pro-homosexual bill that will pave the way for further discrimination against Christians or anyone else who would take a moral stand against the homosexual lifestyle.New MexicoChristian photographers (in a family owned business) were fined nearly $7,000 for refusing to take pictures of a same sex ceremony.