I wish I could have met Florida State Senator Jack Gordon before his recent death, but I feel better knowing that his legacy lives on to this day. He was the kind of legislator that Florida so desperately needs right now. - PDP

Obituary for Jack Gordon
by Molly Ivins

[from the January 23, 2006 issue of The Nation]

Jack Gordon, known as "the unabashedly liberal conscience of Florida's State Senate," was a unique combination of scholar, wit and idealist as well as a remarkably effective practical politician. His stands should have made him anathema to the Florida legislature of the 1970s and '80s, still dominated by good ol' boys: Gordon opposed the death penalty, favored the Equal Rights Amendment and legalizing marijuana, and was a longtime champion of civil rights and school integration.

Instead, Gordon was chosen majority leader by his colleagues, who respected his fairness, his civility and his legislative wiliness. That he also happened to be a successful banker gave him street cred with conservatives. Gordon was rather fond of many of the more colorful specimens of good ol' boy with whom he served, and he was skillful at finding common ground with them. He was a natural teacher and believed part of his job was to use debate to elucidate issues, to encourage problem-solving. As a result, his rich legacy includes one of the most advanced amendments on privacy rights in any state Constitution as well as Florida's homestead property-tax exemption. He outlawed discrimination at country clubs and championed education. "The Gordon Rule," which requires more math and writing courses, raises the skill level of Florida college students. He was the kind of legislator who devoted time to thankless tasks like reorganizing the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and creating the Department of Corrections, grunt work that makes an enormous difference in the lives of people with no power.

Gordon's politics were always progressive, and he fondly recalled the furious debates at the Miami Beach chess club, where old Bolsheviks and old Mensheviks still went after one another. He was a friend and business partner of the great Florida populist Claude Pepper; after Pepper's death Gordon briefly considered a run for his Congressional seat. Although he was a brilliant politician, he was constitutionally incapable of dishonesty. The campaign consultants decided he would make a terrible candidate.

Gordon retired from the State Senate in 1992, observing that the money in politics had become overwhelming. He founded the Hospice Foundation of America and served on Rosalyn Carter's mental health task force. He was a remarkable public servant and also just a lovely man. He is remembered by those who knew him as the most brilliant or the kindest man they ever met. Few things were more fun than seeing Jack Gordon's ascetic face light up and his eyes begin to twinkle as he recognized something funny in whatever was under discussion--then all you had to do was sit back and wait for the quiet wisecrack.

Religion is almost always the root cause for an individual's disapproval of homosexuality. With that in mind, I'd like to recommend that my readers visit the latest website from the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus covering this very topic.

Among the topics covered at www.ReligionAndGays.org are:

* Official positions of world religions on homosexuality
* Different analyses of what the Hebrew, Christian and Koran scriptures say
* How religious views on homosexuality have changed over the centuries
* Links to the latest news stories and developments on these issues
* Pro and con websites on whether homosexuality is compatible with different faiths
* The reasoning and tactics of the religious right on gay issues
* The arguments for and against Ex-Gay Ministries
* What different religions and denominations say about same-sex unions (marriage, domestic partnerships, etc.)
* How to contact denominational gay support groups and how to find a gay friendly house of worship in your area

A recent national poll from Hamilton College and Zogby International highlights what we already knew--that America's youth of today have full acceptance for their peers, despite who they might love.

"Among the poll's findings: Three quarters of this year's high school seniors favor legal recognition of same-sex relationships, either as marriage or civil union; three in four seniors oppose a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage; and 63% support adoptions by gay couples."

We look to the future with hope as this generation grows up to be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow. However, we must never forget that the gay community will continue to be used by the Republican Party and antigay religious organizations to raise money, win elections and manipulate the public.

The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus was out front at the Florida Democratic Party Conference in Orlando on Dec. 9-11. Several dignitaries stopped by its hospitality suite, including Rep. Barney Frank (MA), the first openly gay U.S. Congressperson, and Rep. John Lewis (GA), also a well known civil rights activist. Both major candidates for Governor, Senator Rod Smith and Congressman Jim Davis were also visitors. There was plenty of “buzz” surrounding the Caucus as it proves to be a vibrant and vital part of the Democratic base.

On Sunday, the Caucus meeting saw an overflow crowd of more than 70 people, including more than 30 Caucus members. Again Senator Smith and Congressman Davis stopped by to speak to the group. Alex Sink (CFO) and Eric Copeland (Agriculture and Consumer Affairs) were also statewide candidates who addressed the meeting. Other speakers included Congressional candidates Ron Klein, Christine Jennings, Dave Bruderly, John Russell and Jan Schneider.

The Caucus also announced plans to expand on their existing network of 10 local chapters, particularly into the Florida panhandle where no chapters currently exist. Targeted counties include Leon, Bay and Escambia. Informal meetings of the Capital GLBT Democratic Club in Leon County will begin in early 2006. Please contact me at phillip@phillipperry.com if you would like more information. You can learn more about the Caucus at http://www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org.