As many of you know there are a number of people in our community that wear multiple hats. Many of us are involved in several organizations at one time and working hard to help better our community which has been buzzing with activity that would have only been a hallucination just a few short years ago, and I do mean short.

At the culmination of an entire week full of Pride activities, last weekend was Pride in the Park at Kleman Plaza. The day was amazing. The venue was the best yet, the feel of the event and the turnout were nothing short of spectacular. (I remember 40 people gathered in Tom Brown Park not that long ago) Someone I met from South Florida suggested it was one of the nicest Pride Festivals in Florida. The day was relaxed, and the entertainment was great and the weather was perfect. By Tallahassee Police Department estimates we got to spend it with 3000 of our closest friends in the Family. We all owe a huge thank you to the Pride Committee and particularly the Co-Chairs, Patrick Patterson and Steven Hall. Job well done!

On the political front, Leon County is moving closer to passing a comprehensive Human Rights Ordinance that would include protections from discrimination in Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. It would also expand current discrimination protections for existing protected classes by reducing the size of an “employer” to 5 employees from 15. Be sure to read the story in this paper for details on the ordinance and upcoming important dates.

Other important work happening in the panhandle included the first discussion on the legislative floor about the issue of the gay adoption ban in over 30 years! A panel discussing a state wide competitive workforce bill was also held concerning employment protections to the LGBT community on a state wide level. Granted, the Florida Legislature moves very slowly but the mere fact that the discussion is taking place shows progress. Who would have imagined this happening even 5 years ago?

I would also like to thank all of the volunteers, host committee and steering committee members for the 2nd annual Equality Florida Gala held at the Mary Brogan Museum. These people are part of our community at large and many are very involved in with The Family Tree and we should be proud of their efforts. Equality Florida raised over $30,000.00 which totals more than 3 times what was raised last year. I think we might have shown that North Florida matters and we are serious about equality.

All this being said, I did have the opportunity to reflect on Saturday in the plaza. Only a couple of years ago, I was the guy running around like a crazy person making sure everything was coming together. While I still may be a crazy person, however the one thing I believe I can say is that OUR time. People from all walks of our community and supporters have organized and stepped up to get involved in all kinds of events over the past month and throughout the past year. I remember writing these stories in past years pleading with the readership to get involved. Today I believe we as a community are involved. My assessment on Saturday is that we have built something very special here and we are making a difference, not only in the lives of Leon County Citizens but across the State. Just last night I was on a conference call about Orange County following our lead on passing a Human Rights Ordinance. Today I received a plea from Panama City to help with a discrimination situation related to their upcoming Pride Celebration. They come calling because we are doing the right things.

Keep up the good work Tallahassee and support the Family Tree, for the Tree has not only been a place for meeting and organizing, and providing important resources, it has been the mechanism to help coordinate efforts and communicate what’s happening. Let’s keep up the momentum and who knows where we will be in another 5 years!

Thank you all!