Local News
Thank You to Our Community for Electing Carlos Gimenez  
We want to thank you all for your support in the Miami-Dade Election. Your money, time, and talent was truly felt and made an impact on our community.

I could go on and on, but I figured I would share some of the comments we received from community members:

 Analysis of SAVE Dade's Role in Electing Carlos Gimenez Mayor of Miami-Dade County
Our efforts paid off. Carlos Gimenez was elected Mayor of Miami-Dade County with a slim majority of votes. This experience has emboldened SAVE Dade to carry a similar strategic communications and field operation as we move into the 2012 election cycle. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize registering more SAVE Dade members and our allies to vote.

Thank you to our community for taking a stand for equality on June 28 and helping to elect Carlos Gimenez, a pro-equality, pro-family candidate for Mayor. Not only did we elect our candidate, but we defeated the efforts of a militant hate-group, the Christian Family Coaltion, that attempted to gain votes by positioning their endorsed candidate, Julio Robaina, to publicly oppose basic human rights for gay and lesbian families and their children. The fact is that for the first time, the majority of Americans support marriage equality -- not just piecemeal legislation like the domestic partnership ordinance. Common-sense Republicans and Democrats agree, all people should be treated equally under the law, and it is no longer socially acceptable to hold the view that, denying equality to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, or anyone for that matter, is permissible.  Click here to read the full analysis. 

Congratulations to Councilwoman-elect Sue Ellen Loyzelle, an LGBT elected official in Cutler Bay! 
Congratulations to Sue Ellen Loyzelle for being elected to the Cutler Bay town council. Councilwoman-elect Loyzelle and her partner are long-time residents of Cutler Bay. We look forward to continuing to support her as an elected official, as well as advocate for more out candidates run for office in Miami-Dade County. Councilwoman Loyzelle becomes the sixth openly gay elected official currently serving in the County.

“People who are LGBT serving openly is one of the most important aspects of the movement and it all begins with municipal races. The results are a more open and welcoming community while fundamentally strengthening our democracy,” said Joe Falk, SAVE Dade Chairman.  Click here to read an article from the Miami Herald.

SAVE Dade Board Member Christian Ulvert Invited to White House Reception & Meet with White House Officials
Invited to the White House for a special reception honoring LGBT leaders, Christian Ulvert, president of EDGE Communications, a leading Florida-based political and communications consulting firm and SAVE Dade Board Member, will head to Washington, D.C. on June 29th to attend a special reception hosted by President Barack Obama. Click here to continue reading.

National News

Organizing for Marriage
SAVE Dade Field Officer David Valk was in New York at the Stonewall Inn and witnessed the State's historic passage of marriage equality.  His role as an organizer and movement builder began in California and continues here in Florida.
Last week, I had the privilege and good fortune of being at the Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of our movement for equality, as the New York Senate boomed those historic words, “Ayes 33, Nayes 29, the bill passes.” Once again, I found myself surrounded by thousands of activists and community members, celebrating another notch in the movement for full LGBT equality. Click here to continue reading.

Love and Exile
Attorney Lavi Soloway, cofounder of Stop the Deportations and Immigration Equality, reflects on the continued struggles of binational gay couples — including those whose only option to stay together is to leave the United States.  Republished from Advocate.com.

For almost two decades, I have been engaged in a labor of love. That may sound odd coming from a gay rights activist who toils away in the obscure world of immigration law. But I assure you, it’s all about love.  Click here to continue reading the full story by Lavi Soloway at Advocate.com.

Actions
  Tell Your Member of Congress to Join Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Co-Sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act 
For months, statewide and national LGBT organizations have lobbied Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to add her voice in support of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, and outlaw discrimination against gay and lesbian parents from adopting and fostering children.

At SAVE Dade's 2011 Champions of Equality Awards Reception, Martin Gill -- the plaintiff in the ACLU of Florida's case that successfully overturned Florida's 33-year ban on gay and lesbian parents from adopting -- delivered to Rep. Ros-Lehtinen a personal letter about his struggle to adopt his two sons.

Martin's personal appeal worked.

Within days of receiving Martin's letter, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen announced she will be the first Republican Member of Congress to co-sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. The Congresswoman spoke directly to Martin's personal message as the tipping-point that influenced her decision:

Be a voice for equality by joining Martin Gill and SAVE Dade as we send our own personal appeals to our Members of Congress. Click here to personalize your message and tell your Member of Congress to join Rep. Ros-Lehtinen as a co-sponsor of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act.

Tell Senators Nelson and Rubio to Co-Sponsor the Student Non-Discrimination Act  
Every student deserves a public education free of harassment and discrimination.

SAVE Dade joins the ACLU of Florida and a diverse coalition of organizations in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (S. 555/H.R. 998).

You can make a difference and help pass this legislation by writing Florida Senators Nelson (D) and Rubio (R) a personalized message in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Use the form below to edit your message and write your Senators directly.

Click here to add your voice by using this form to send a personalized message to Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio. 

Events
  Sign up to Volunteer with SAVE Dade's Annual Halloween Planning Committee; First Meeting July 12, 7-8PM
Halloween is just around the corner, and it's time to start planning SAVE Dade's annual party! Last year, Hellrotika was a phenomenal success, bringing together over 1,200 people to have a thrilling experience while supporting Miami's LGBT political organization.

Click here to sign up by July 5 and help us make this year's Halloween an even bigger success by being part of our planning committee.

The first meeting will take place Tuesday, July 12, at the SAVE Dade office, located at 4500 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 340.

Build the Movement for Equality Online Today
You can join the conversation with SAVE Dade online at Facebook and Twitter.  Also check out our videos on YouTube, and of course, keep up-to-date on our website.