Protesters at Crist's wedding?

Even by our standards, this is pretty tacky: GaySoFla.com reports a gay rights group called Impact Florida is planning to protest the Dec. 12 wedding of Charlie Crist and Carole Rome:

“Our objective will be to celebrate the Governor’s fundamental right to marry,” says Impact Florida spokesperson Lorna Bracewell, in an exclusive interview with GaySoFla.com. “The demonstration will be peaceful and respectful,” the singer/songwriter and Tampa Bay native assures the online LGBT magazine. Bracewell believes that the Governor’s wedding provides a unique opportunity to shine a light on the injustice and unfairness of Amendment 2. “Governor Crist, an outspoken proponent of Amendment 2, is getting married. He is exercising the same fundamental right millions of Floridians are now denied because of the passage of Amendment 2,” Bracewell observes.

It's worth noting that Florida law banned same-sex marriage before Amendment 2 passed.

Comments

To paraphrase the Bible...you reap what you sew Charlie.

funny that before the election, the no to 2 crowd was talking about losing domestic rights- as soon as they lost, they switch the argument to gay marriages-

that is so gay......

This is indeed a very pathetic way to get your point across.

I personally did not support the amendment, BUT living in a democracy means you ought to respect the voters.

Resorting to such methods will only ensure you lose support.

Outrageous

[expat]

4:51 - you don't reap what you sew - you wear what you sew. You reap what you sow - as in sowing wild oats or sowing seeds. It kind of ruins the comment to those who know the difference.

[GR]

I hope the Governor's protective service detail keep these protesters at bay.

The group needs to protest every Floridian voter who voted NO to your cause. In short, it was decided at the ballot box! NO! What part of no don't you understand, the N or the O?

[Susan S]

6:24 PM,
Discrimination shouldn't even be put to a vote.

[Ike Turner]

The "are you a homo test."

If your Uncle Mo asks you who your favorite singer is, do you answer:
a) Keith Urban, Mo
b) Frank Sinatra, Mo
c) Don Ho, Mo

You are working in your garden and your Uncle Mo asks you what you have in your hand, do you answer:
a) It's a rake, Mo
b) It's a shovel, Mo
c) It's a hoe, Mo

Your Uncle Mo asks you what does Santa Claus say, and you answer:
a) Ha, ha, ha, Mo
b) Hee, hee, hee, Mo
c) Ho, ho, ho, Mo

If you answered c) to the above, you are a homo.

I guess this means Sen. Fasano will be going to the wedding after all.

They shouldn't be protesting, since it was Crist who stopped the RPOF from funding the YES to 2 campaign when he came into office.

Besides, why protest one of your own?

[Dan]

I guess the interview with Lord Rotheschild in London this past summer ended up like, "We don't care that your gay. If you want to be President or Vice President, you have to get married to a woman, Charlie. Now, make it happen."

[Bob]

Yeah. So tacky that gay people would cause a fuss about having their civil rights taken away. You should be ashamed of yourself Adam.

[David Schauer]

Adam,
No sir you are tacky. That fact that the Governor is getting married after enduring rumors about his own sexuality only goes to show that yes gays can marry so long as they marry someone form the opposite gender.

The Constitution is a document that is suppose to protect the rights of minorities not enforce the will of the majority. By your own papers standard this wedding and reception are turning into a political event. As such other political views should be expected.

[Jon]

Well put David. Really pathetic that journalists are now in the business of discrediting political activism by minority groups who, according to the Fla Constitution, are now less than equal citizens.

Homosexuality is wrong and is an abomination. That is why the supermajority of Floridians voted Yes on 2.

[DCS]

No 10:10 christians are an abomination. People who eat pork are an abomination. People who touch footballs (skin of a dead pig) are an abomination. Face it Jesus is Santa Clause for adults!

DCS - your ignorance is telling. There is a differnce between old testament laws and new testament grace. That's the whole meaning of Christmas, thus your noting of defunct old testmanent laws (pork, etc.), is pretty much pointless.

DCS:It is the human mind that thinks like yours that is to blame for the degredation of society. In the end, religious beliefs, or the lack thereof, are the least of the world's worries. Rather it is the breakdown of society brought on by the gradual acceptance of immorality that we should all fear.

It's kinda funny how people who get so angry when their "rights" aren't respected are so quick to impede on others' rights and tear others down for expressing what they believe.

Actually, no, it isn't funny. It's hypocritical and just plain sad.

[Cate Colgan]

I think it's called "losing" civil rights - whoops I guess we never lost them because we never HAD them - watch Jasmin Jones speech here

http://impactflorida.ning.com/video/shame-on-2-rally-st-pete-fl-1

[DCS]

Is it not the old testament that defines things as an abomination. I know Jesus never said anything about homosexuals. In fact the only people Jesus ever criticized were the religious and the people who made money off the temple. He accepted everyone else for who they are and where they are.

Maybe you should give it a try - or would that be against your religion

charlie: how do you face your ex-gay friends. Do you ask them to wait patiently until this all settles down, or does the money your lady love have help settle the pain you have caused your true gay friends. YOu are not my friend anymore charlie, you let me down. you let us all down. you let yourself down. We are people too.

So you can't have gay friends if you are straight? I am not gay and have tons of friends who choose to lead a gay life! Charlie Crist is not gay but never discriminated against them. Guess they say one thing and do another! My friends do not agree with this demonstration at the Governor's wedding. How said they would target a time of celebration--just shows they do not speak for all.

[ZekePTB]

No Name said, "Homosexuality is wrong and is an abomination. That is why the supermajority of Floridians voted Yes on 2."

First of all, I certainly wouldn't call 1.9% a supermajority.

Secondly, there are many more abominations than just homosexuality. But, many of you God loving Christians only seem to be concerned with just this one. "Let he who/she is free from sin cast the firat stone". If I was many of you I'd duck. By the way, instead of thumping, try reading your Bibles. You'd see that God love all his children equally and wants them all to be treated with love and respect. Judge less be judge, God is the only one to judge his childrens for their sins or lack of them, not you or anyone else.

Maybe they could re-decorate Charlie's apartment while they're in town.

You can't redefine sin to suit your lifestyle. It is true, God loves us all, and yet we are all sinners. But you can not be forgiven if you refuse to acknowledge your sins. Living an immoral life and refusing to see that it is immoral and thus refusing to seek the better path is not how God intended us to exist. This is what Jesus tells us.

Jesus also tells us what a marriage before the eyes of God is to be. A man leaves his family and joins with a woman in holy union. Jesus blessed this ceremony in the New Testament and said it was the example mankind should follow.
Marriage is the most sacred of unions, and it should be protected and defended at all costs. It is not something to enter into lightly, and it is not to be distorted to suit the trends of the day. Relationships take many forms. Contractual relationships do as well, and they are readily available to those who choose to enter into homosexual relationships. But marriage is for one man and one woman, and always will be.

2:56, "Super-majority" refers to the fact that more than 60 percent voted in favor of it - as opposed to just 50 percent plus one. I realize you usually don't get involved in this voting thing except when you and your buddies try and settle once and for all the question if who's better; Donna Summer or Liza Minelli, but please try and keep up.

[expat]

8:38 (or no name) What about those of us (and we are many) whose idea of God and the literal words of the Bible are different than what you believe? I grew up in the Baptist Church and heard all this nonsense about being saved or going straight to hell. It scared me silly as a child, I'll tell you.

I choose to live my adult life paying respect to those who are deeply religious (i.e. my Mother) but accepting that many of us don't believe in your angry God or an afterlife in hell.

Why ALWAYS bring the bible into this conversation? If the person whose opinion you are trying to sway (no matter their sexual orientation) doesn't believe in the thing, the points supported solely by the bible are moot. If this argument boils down to equality vs. what-the-bible-says, then this is a sad and scary day. I don't really care who strangers marry; The last time I checked I have more important things to do. Without referencing a chosen religious script, why have the rights of this minority been voted on?

expat:
Shouldn't the first "you" in your post be capitalized? As in "Y"ou reap what you sow. It is, after all, proper to capitalize the first word in a sentence.

Let's make a deal. Everyone can marry anything and as often as they want. Take off all of the discriminatory restrictions. A man can marry his pet sheep and a woman can marry her stud German shepard. A teacher can marry as many of her teenage students as she can squeeze in. Why just limit the fun to homos? Why not let mothers marry their sons and sisters marry their brothers? It is time for Change. It is time for really Big Love.

Did anyone see this in the Politics1.com blog???

RNC CHAIRMANSHIP. More problems for Florida GOP Chair Jim Greer's likely campaign for RNC Chair. A letter of support for Greer from Governor Charlie Crist has not quelled growing questions about RPOF spending first reported here on Politics1. Greer has blamed many of the questionable expenditures charged to the RPOF American Express card on the outgoing Florida House and Senate leadership. Former Senate President Ken Pruitt and former House Speaker Marco Rubio both had been issued RPOF credit cards. Meanwhile, Republican activists are raising questions about other alleged expenditures including a $10,000 registration fee Greer paid to attend a conference on climate change; $46,000 for a posh London hotel, 5-star restaurants, limousines and department stores during Crist's summer trade mission to the UK; and over $3,600 to a premium cigar store for cigars purportedly delivered to Greer's home. Large RPOF donors are also concerned about a hotel bill at the posh Breakers in Palm Beach during a birthday celebration for Crist earlier this year when Greer stayed in a $2,000-a-night suite and charged an additional $2,000 to the room for food and alcohol. The big ticket expense was the nearly $700,000 charged for the use of charter jets. RPOF officials insist all expenditures were legitimate and directly related to party activities. Greer's allies also note the Republicans fared surprisingly well in this year's state legislative races, losing only one seat despite the Obama wave and heavy Democratic spending. Some RPOF executive committee members are demanding a breakdown of flights, destinations and other costs. Greer has promised a "corporate level" audit of RPOF books -- but critics want a forensic audit that will reveal who paid for what and why. A least one party donor is contemplating a lawsuit to force a forensic audit. Greer is a close friend and ally of Crist. Declared candidates for RNC Chair next month include current RNC Chair Mike Duncan, South Carolina GOP Chair Katon Dawson, Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, former Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle, and former Mike Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman. Greer promises to make a decision on the RNC Chair race within the next few weeks.

I don't care whether or not you like to have a relationship with who what where or when. But, we had a vote of the will of the voters and they voted YES on protecting marriage.

But, this is America, you can "protest" all you what, you can whine and cry about this being "unfair". Too bad.

The majority has spoken, quit your whining and if you don't like it, get another amendment on the ballot and try to change the law.

Your whining reminds me of when Gore lost.

To show up and protest at this wedding demonstrates the same lack of class (if not sheer stupidity) of those that protest at funerals held for our brave service men and women. The people have spoken...the Constitution has now been changed...and the law is the law.

What part of separation of church and state do you freaks NOT understand???!!!

[terminator]

wonder if Jason and Bruce will be there singing to Charlie "baby come back, you can blame it all on me, cause there's something wrong and I just can't live without you, baby come back"!

9:42-
We've all seen the grand results of Gore's lost, now haven't we...?

10:26 i fear the "best" is yet to be. Wait 'till that unqualified windbad taked office Jan. 20...

10:26 - I would take another 8 years of President Bush versus 4 of Gore anyday. But you libs should happy, instead of "change" you are getting another Clinton presidency.

10:26- AMEN.
But it woun't be "another" CLinton presidency - there's a hck of a lot to clean up this time.

[elaygee]

I just can't figure out why the Gay Governor is still getting married now that he isn't going to be Vice-President. He's way too old to need a "cover" wife.

[Ocala Gator]

10:12 - What part of separation of church and state do you not understand? Unless there was some language in Amendment 2 which I missed, there was nothing it which establishes a state religion or prohibits anyone from practicing their faith as they see fit. All Amendment 2 did was define marriage as the union of one man with one woman. It passed with a super majority, as required by our state constitution (regardless of what a prior math challenged poster says) so get over it.

If you want to protest the Governor's wedding, in this country that is your right. However, you and your "no more Mr. Nice Gay" friends should consider the effect that your infantile reactions to the approval of Amendment 2 and Proposition 8 in California have on most people. You may start losing support for the establishment of civil unions, which a lot of people who voted for Amendment 2 would support (yours truly included).

On another subject -- UF 45 - FSU 15!! Go Gators!!

[StPeteBB]

Ocala Gator said: "Unless there was some language in Amendment 2 which I missed, there was nothing it which establishes a state religion or prohibits anyone from practicing their faith as they see fit."

1) The church I attend teaches that sex outside of marriage is sinful.
2) The church I attend would allow same-sex marriage.

Amendment 2 restricts my ability practice my religion.

Simple.

So -- the question remains: What part of separation of church and state is unclear? Legislating anything based on religious principle rather than on public good is the establishment of religion for the state. What else could it be?

[Clyde]

Makes you wonder, doesn't it? We keep slapping these people down and they just won't stay down in their place. It's like they think they have some civil rights or something. This is Florida, Man!! Sheesh!

Why would a guy ever want to put his you-know-what into another guy's you-know-what anyway? Gross!

[Lorna Bracewell]

Mr. Smith,

My name is Lorna Bracewell. I am a singer/songwriter, a Tampa Bay native
and the spokesperson for Impact Florida, the organization coordinating the demonstration outside of Governor Crist's wedding on December 12. I am
writing to personally respond to your blog posting "Protesters at Crist's
wedding?"

I am surprised that the staff of the St. Pete Times has dismissed Impact
Florida's planned demonstration as "tacky." Although you do not say so
explicitly, I gather from this judgement and from your reference to
"protesters" in the headline that you imagine the tone of our gathering
outside the Governor's wedding will be negative and our tactics confrontational. In your posting, you quote statements I made to a
reporter with GaySoFla.com that explicitly contradict these imaginings.
Nonetheless, they seem to have persisted. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough
when I said, "Our objective will be to celebrate the Governor’s
fundamental right to marry," and that "the demonstration will be peaceful
and respectful." Allow me to clarify the meaning of these statements for
the Times' staff.

Impact Florida does not intend to protest the Governor's (or anyone's)
wedding. We are explicitly and enthusiastically pro-marriage. Our goal is to celebrate the Governor's and every Floridian's fundamental right to
marry, a right that, unfortunately, millions of Floridians have been
denied in the most categorical way that our political process offers by
Amendment 2. I find it deeply troubling that the staff of the St. Pete
Times believes that calling attention to such an injustice in a peaceful
manner is on par with keeping one's Christmas lights up year round.

Pehaps the staff of the Times believes that Rosa Parks should have minded
her manners and sat politely in the back of the bus while her civil rights
were violated. Perhaps the staff of the Times believes that Martin Luther
King and the thousands who marched with him should have known better than
to so rudely disrupt the status quo in sleepy little Birmingham, Alabama.
If such actions are tacky in the Times' estimation, I am proud to be
called such.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Lorna

Tacky!

[Gator(R)]

Interesting defense Lorna.

Essentially, we are not protesting, but we are protesting.

As many opponents said prior to the vote, gay marriages were illegal without the amendment, thus it served no purpose. If it served no purpose why protest it?

If I were gay, I'd probably be unhappy about the vote, but gay marriage is not widely accepted anywhere and for most of US history wasn't really a consideration or a concern here. Probably against the law in most states for most of our history - I don't believe that is the case in a great majority, if not all, of the states now.

Eventually, we will get there, unless we become a Muslim country, just a ways off still.

Personally, I think you can be against this amendment and still respect gays rights to act and live as they please. I certainly do, and I waffled on the amendment until I voted.

[A Soldier]

Kinda sad that you folks don't understand that some of you voted to deny a 'privilege', 'right' or what have you on American citizens. I as a defender of those rights and privileges (that means I serve, you know, like in the military of The USA.. hello) will be there right next to these folks making sure charlie gets what charlie gives.