As the 2012 Florida legislative session starts this week and we gear up for our state's GOP primary on January 31, it is very apparent that election season has come into full swing.  The blunt reality is that LGBT Floridians have been hit hard by extremist politicians who espouse anti-gay rhetoric as a means to rally votes.  While Florida is no stranger to enacting discriminatory statewide policies, just last year, Florida legislators attacked all citizens with the passage of new voter laws that block groups from registering community members through traditional means of organizing.  One thing is certain-- the stakes have never been higher and the need to fight back has never been more necessary.

Floridians can fight back -- and we can fight back right now! 

Our pathway to victory in 2012 is very clear.  In order to continue to promote, protect, and defend equality, we must elect pro-equality candidates to office.  The only way we can sustain our ability to have a collective voice is to do our due dilligence and ensure every eligible voter in our community is registered and ready to "vote equality" in 2012.

Despite the efforts of extremists in Florida, SAVE Dade is securing increased voter registration through a unique voter engagement program -- the 12x12 campaign.  Our efforts to organize 12,000 Miami-Dade pro-equality supporters before 2012 builds upon the greatest strength of our community, and harnesses our most valuable resource -- people power.



As we continue to train hundreds of volunteers to collect pro-equality pledge cards, we are successfully reaching more friends, more family members, and more allies in every community within Miami-Dade County.  12x12 trainings will be offered this year in both English and Spanish, and materials will be made available in Creole as well.

The fight for full equality depends on every member of our community making the conscious choice to take a stand for what is right.  This election season may contribute another round of anti-gay pander, but it can also be an incredible source of opportunity to be seized.  If we choose to work together, right now, and secure more pro-equality supporters, I am confident we can fight Florida extremists and win in 2012.

If you are ready to join SAVE Dade and take a stand for equality, please contact Field Officer David Valk at david@savedade.org and help secure LGBT voter registration in 2012.