kmccook writes “Refuge at rainbow’s end: Hillsborough County (FL) gays and lesbians, shunned at home, are offered a safe haven.
A St.Petersburg Times article
relates how Key West and Monroe County commissioners have passed proclamations declaring Aug. 12-14 Hillsborough County Pride in Exile Days. There will be a dramatic re-enactment of the June 15 vote by the Hillsborough commission.
Hillsborough commissioners voted 5-1 last month to abstain from acknowledging, promoting or participating in gay pride recognition and events. The vote came after patrons complained about a gay pride display at West Gate Regional Library highlighting books by gay authors and exploring gay themes. Those who attend the Keys’ festival can get a Pride in Exile library card good for discounts at stores, restaurants and other attractions.
N.B. The Florida Library Association has sent a letter of protest to Hillsborough County and is boycotting the county.”
Pointless posturing
The Hillsborough county resolution not to fund gay pride was simply pointless pandering to right wing (of which I am one) constituents (of which I am not as I live and vote in an adjacent county).
They also recently voted not to give planned parenthood 39K for some odd theater project ( or here) that will use skits to supposedly teach students about HIV, pregnancy, and gang violence.
I really have no problems with either of those actions as the county government should be maintaing the roads, fire protection and infrastructure not promoting one social program or another. My personal opinion of planned parenthood not withstanding organizations that wish to present programs like that should rely on non-governmental funding to achieve its goals. The commission also refused funding for a Praise Cathedral a Christian organization and Redlands Christian Migrant Association ( a program I support albiet in a very small way on a librarian’s salary)
On the other hand we have pointless posturing and pandering to the other side (those that want gay pride supported by tax dollars) by governments in South Florida. If the choice were limited to one county or the other which would you rather live in, the one that limits county spending to essentials, or one that supports superfluous programs with your money?
It is not that I am opposed to gay pride, but why does the taxpayer have to pay for it. It is not that I am in favor of gang violence or HIV, but we already have agencies: the police department and sheriff and the health department and schools system to address those problems and educate students about them.
I know each side is doing it to pander to their electorate, but really would it not be better to spend time of substantive legislation rather than posturing?
Note
One of the articles has information that conflicts that which the county has available presently. The article notes that planned parenthood was denied funding but two other organizations mentioned were not. The county documentation does not show where the other two were funded, nor does it show planned parenthood funded.
If the others were funded for non-essential social programs then I must object to that as well even though I support at least one of the organizations. County monies should go to essential programs only, and the surplus if any should be returned to taxpayers in the form of decreased (or at least lesser increased) rates. It is our money after all and if we want to give it to planned parenthood or spend it on beer it should be our decision not the county’s.