DontAmend Tampa Bay in conjunction with DontAmend.Com, The Equality Campaign held a "No Taxation With Discrimination Protest" on April 15th.The protest was intended to educate the public on the discriminatory tax practices against GLBT couples and the difference in benefits that civil unions and marriage offer same-sex couples. DATB Tax Day Protests coincided with protests held in 38 cities across the nation.

Two highlights of the protest were when, a young girl named Erin, who was with her dad, asked if she could join the protest

and hold a protest posters. Her presence turned a lot of heads, warmed the protesters hearts and may has just helped create

a future marriage equality activist. The second being, standing next the tax day protesters, were a small group of Bush/Cheney supporters. Which were easily outnumbered by five to one and tax day protesters received more thumbs ups, supportive horn beeps and waves by passerby's then they did.

The response from people arriving at the airport post office and greeted by the protesters, was very positive. Many never thought much about how unequal the tax laws are to GLBT's couples or the difference between civil unions and marriage tax benefits.

Now they have a better understanding that civil unions do not offer us the same or equal benefits that marriage would. The protesters may not have changed each of their minds, however, they did change some and with this, they accomplished what

Media coverage was slim, primarily due to protesters not being able to position themselves close to where the media was set

up. Tampa Bay's protest was the lead story on WB38 News and the Tampa Tribune, ran positive news article and a few photos

DATB's "No Taxation With Discrimination Protest" page, will be online April 16th. It includes media releases, news articles

Tampa Bay's and nationwide protests and tax day protest photo gallery: http://www.tampabaycoalition.com/dontamend6.html.

DATB has schedules another rally for May 15th, to take place at Lowery Picnic Shelter 118. It is presently scheduled to be a celebration of the Massachusetts the Supreme Judicial Court ruling, making it the first state to sanction same-sex marriages,

which is to take effect on May 17th. However, with Massachusetts' Gov. Mitt Romney recent announcement, that he will attempt to bypass his attorney general and take the case against same-sex marriage directly to the state's highest court. The celebration may turn out to be a protest of his actions. Information on the time the rally will be held, will be announced shortly.

In order to raise funds for future events, rallies and protests. DATB now has "STOP the Constitutional Amendment to Ban Same Sex Marriage" bumper stickers. We are asking for a minimum donation of five dollar donation for each and all proceeds will be used toward holding events in the Tampa Bay area. Please contact R. Zeke Fread by email at dontamend@tampabay.rr.com,