DontAmend Tampa Bay News
Over a Hundred Marriage Equality Supporters Gather
for Valentines Day Rally
February 15, 2004
By R. Zeke Fread
Tampa Bay, Florida - Neither rain nor the threat of severe thunder storms deterred over
one hundred members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community
and their supporters from gathering to celebrate their relationships and
to express their strong opposition to a proposed
anti-gay amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Speakers at DontAmend Tampa Bay's Valentine's Day of
Action Rally were treated to enthusiastic cheers and applause from those
attending the rally. A special highlight of the rally was when Rev. Phyllis Hunt, of the Metropolitan Community Church, who officiated over commitment ceremonies for
a half dozen couples.
R. Zeke Fread, coordinator and organizer of
DontAmend Tampa Bay (DATB) said, "I couldn't be more pleased or proud of
our community and supporters' show of support of our Valentines Day of
Action Rally. I had faith that that the weather would not stop the rally from being a success and by
the number of those who turned out, my faith in our
community was once again fulfilled," Fread said.
The rally received extensive coverage by
the local Tampa Bay news media, which included Bay News 9, WFTS-ABC
28 News, WTSP-CBS 10 News. WTVT-Fox 13 News,
WFLA-NBC 8 News, WTTA WB 38 News and WMNF 88.5 FM Radio Station. News reports on the rally was aired on
their Saturday evening 6, 10 and 11
o'clock news broadcasts.
DATB's Valentines Day of
Action Rally was co-sponsored by Couples National Network, Equality Florida,
Florida Gulf Coast Couples, GLBT Parents of Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Community
Church of Tampa, Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays and Rainbow Law. Rally keynote
speaker was Rev. Phyllis Hunt, others featured speakers included Alan
Miles, Alan Bell, Bruce Slepian, Carrie
Ross-Stone, Cathy James, Dale Flieshman, Vonn New, Michael Marvo, Frank
Matrix and R Zeke Fread.
During the rally, R. Zeke told those
attending, "Those who oppose our equal right to marry have made passage of
the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment their top priority. We must make
sure that their voices are not the only ones heard by our lawmakers. Let
there be no doubt, that this is a fight for our equal
rights, that we can not afford to lose. I would ask that you to join with
DontAmend Tampa Bay and the many other groups
and organizations who are fighting the passage of the Federal Marriage
Amendment. By joining our voices together we can and will make a positive
difference in obtaining equal marriage rights and
protections".
If the Federal Marriage Amendment passes, it would
be the first time since Prohibition that rights would be taken away
by amending the U.S. Constitution.
Nationwide, discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
Americans would be protected by
law.
DATB's Valentines Day of Action Rally
coincided with DontAmend.Com and National
Metropolitan Community Churches Freedom to Marry Week of Actions,
rallies and related events that were
held in two dozen cities and towns across the country. Another round of
protests -- in many more cities -- is planned for Monday, May 17th, the day
that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has said that the state of
Massachusetts must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex
couples.