Florida’s primary debacle has been disheartening for those of us who cared enough to cast our ballot and the evidence isn’t just anecdotal.  A Miami Herald poll reveals that one in four Democrats warn that they’re less likely to support the party in November if their vote is not counted.  This is bad news for the Democratic nominee and even worst news for opponents of the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment”.   

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the disenfranchisement of Florida voters. The political maneuvering of Clinton supporters Debbie Wasserman Schultz & Harold M. Ickes, the incompetent leadership of Florida Democratic Chair Karen Thurman and National Democratic Chair Howard Dean, and the ‘me first’ actions of the Republican controlled state legislature and governor have all played pivotal roles in making the Sunshine State the laughing stock of all things electoral.  It’s a wonder any Florida Democrat would want to vote in the general election or any other future election, for that matter! 

But, laying aside the frustration and blame, it is imperative that LGBT voters show up to the polls en masse this November.  By then America (except Florida, of course) will have spoken and a Democratic candidate will face off against Republican presumptive nominee John McCain.  Florida is an important swing state and the opportunity still exists for us to play a role in the final selection of our country’s next POTUS.   

But choosing the CEO of the USA is not the only important issue facing Florida voters this November. Floridians are also being asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.  If this amendment passes, Florida’s constitution will be used to discriminate against a whole class of innocent citizens.  With the passage of this amendment Florida would join 27 other states that have chosen to diminish human rights rather than expand them! 

Including a gay marriage ban on the November ballot was never about the sanctity of marriage. It’s simply a blatant attempt to fan the flames of homophobia and drive Bible thumping zealots to the polls. Senator McCain’s nomination hasn’t exactly placated the Republican’s conservative base, so what better way to entice the faithful to the ballot box than a good old “bash the queer” effort?  A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll in November, 2007, revealed that 77 percent of likely Republican voters in Florida opposed making same-sex marriage legal. 

 Like a well played chess game, every move is being thought out by the Republican Party.  Every decision is being analyzed and reanalyzed.  It is very possible that Florida will once again play a role on the national political stage.  We may just elect another Republican to the highest office in the land and, in the process, begin the roll back of gay rights and legal protections.  

Both Obama and Clinton have relatively strong platforms on LGBT issues.  Either of the Democratic candidates would be a far better choice than McCain.  So let’s put aside our differences and spend these next few months mobilizing the Fags and Fogs (Friends of Gays). We still have time to educate our family, friends and neighbors about the broad reaching consequences of the “Marriage Protection Amendment”.  We can still register new voters.    

Florida LGBT Community- We have a lot of work to do.  We have an amendment to defeat and a president to elect.  Let’s get busy!  

Click Here to Read More about the proposed constitutional amendment and what you can do to defeat it.

David L. Wylie is the Senior Editor of GaySOFLA Magazine.  Wylie is passionate about creating an online media outlet that will encourage, entertain and educate the south Florida LGBT Community.  Wylie hopes that GaySOFLA serves that purpose.  He can be reached at David@gaysofla.com