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Dear Friends,
We stand at an important moment in the history of American politics. We have elected a president and vice president who inspire in us hope of a brighter future. Unfortunately, in the state of Florida, we have not succeeded in saying No to Amendment 2 and those who would refuse legal recognition of our relationships.
While this is not the outcome we wanted, we have much to be grateful for. Our deepest thanks go to our volunteers and supporters. You talked to friends and family and neighbors. You made countless phones calls and stood at the polls. You also provided the resources to hire an amazingly dedicated field staff. Collectively, you were not just the backbone of this effort; not just the strong arms and willing hands; but you were the heart, soul, and spirit. It is because of you that we are here.
The vote was extremely close in comparison to other similar votes. Yesterday, SAVE had over 300 volunteers covering over 80 polling places in Dade and Broward counties, including 75 University of Miami students who covered the entire city of Coral Gables. Throughout Florida the community came together to prepare for this day. Despite the loss, the effort was an awesome achievement.
Our defeat is a frustrating and a disappointing one, but the battle is far from over - we will not surrender. This is one setback in a generational struggle against inequality and discrimination. We are part of a movement for historical change that requires ongoing vigilance, commitment, and participation.
We know from history that freedom and equality have never been handed over without a fight. This country was founded on the belief that certain truths are self-evident, first and foremost that all people are created equal. It took revolutionary zeal to establish that basic principle, and it takes no less commitment to keep that principle in play.
As to the future, together we will create a plan and a strategy to achieve our common goals that will require everyone's support. Whereas SAVE may have been forged in a crisis of the past, our mission belongs to the future.
We will continue to put our opponents on notice that there is a day when LGBT rights will be accepted as part of our constitution and political system. Volunteers and supporters of SAVE and our partners are the people working to make that day a reality. We can't help but think this work becomes easier when the oval office stands with us in our cause. That is a true cause for celebration as we move forward.
This week rest, next week - rededicate! We have work to do. This may have been our first statewide initiative but it will certainly not be our last. We all know there will be a next time. There will be other challenges. In two years we can expect they will come back with new language in a new disguise, with more of the same old tired ideas.
Going forward, we will continue to raise the bar even higher: turn out more people, enroll more volunteers, talk to more voters, get our message across more clearly, raise more money, and build our strength.
We will do this, and be here, until they understand once and for all, that Florida stands for Safeguarding American Values for Everyone.
Yours in service,
C.J. Ortuno
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About SAVE
Safeguarding
American Values for Everyone (SAVE)
advocates for equal rights for all people regardless of their sexual orientation,
and educates the community about human rights with emphasis on issues affecting
the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Established in
1993, SAVE strives to accomplish this mission through education, grassroots
organizing, community mobilization and advocacy. Starting with the landmark
passage of Miami's Human Rights Ordinance in 1998
to recent enactments of domestic partner benefit policies, SAVE continues to
lead the fight for LGBT equality in Miami-Dade County.
12864 Biscayne
Blvd., Ste. 338 l North Miami, FL 33181 l 305.751.7283 o l 305.751.9649 f
http://www.savedade.org l savedade@savedade.org
"2008
Not for Profit of the Year" l
Miami-Dade County Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce |
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