Saturday, July 25, 2009

"Knowledge is not knowledge until it's shared." I never really thought about it that way, but the concept seems to make sense. As adults we share what we know with our children and grandchildren, they accept those ideas into their own mind-set and that same knowledge lives on in a slightly different form as they pass it on to their children and to their friends. The knowledge paradigm is what ties us all together. But it can't do that while it resides in our mind or in books on a shelf. It first has to be shared.

I have to say I had not really considered this idea until last week when I attended the summer conference of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Henry Woods, president of the Lambda Democrats of Key West, welcomed the 120 conference-goers and then turned the proceedings over to Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Albetta, who resides in Fort Lauderdale, frequently reminded conference participants that a caucus is just about that: sharing knowledge. Today I'd like to share with you some of the things I learned at this state GLBT Democratic Caucus.

Kevin Burns, mayor of North Miami Beach, is running for the U.S. Senate in the 2010 election because he feels "Washington is out of touch with the people." He reminds us that "all politics are local" because everything a politician does has an impact on the individual people he or she represents. Burns is in favor of an assault weapons ban, keeping oil rigs off the coast of Florida, overturning the law banning gay adoption, and getting rid of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. As an openly gay man with a partner of 24 years, he does not look favorably on those politicians who vote against GLBT issues and then "hang out" in the closet with gays. This guy is a mover and shaker. Check him out at kevinburnsforsenate.com.

Chad Thilborger is director of the National Stonewall Library and Archives located in Fort Lauderdale. He addressed the conference on the library's mission: to preserve, interpret and share the remarkable heritage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The archives collect and preserve records of individuals, organizations and social movements including journals, manuscripts, correspondence, oral histories, photographs, moving images, ephemera, periodicals and annuals. Stonewall's circulating library includes over 18,000 book titles and 600 DVDs. The archives support an education program and is available to come to your location for presentations. Check it out at www.stonewall-library.org.

Eric Draper, formerly a lobbyist for the Audubon Society, is a candidate for Florida secretary of Agriculture, "one of the most invisible jobs in state government." But hey, he reminds us, he gets to sign his name on all your gas pumps! Draper has long been an advocate of conservation as an Audubon lobbyist and is passionate about his mission for safe food, clean water, conserving land and providing green jobs. Draper is in favor of strong regulation and as secretary of Agriculture will run the state's Consumer Services Agency. Check him out at www.EricDraper.net.

Currently a state senator, Dan Gelber is a candidate for Florida Attorney General and unabashedly proclaims "I'm here to beg for your support." Gelber is a strong social justice advocate and assured conference members that "your issues are my issues." Gelber is in favor of full civil unions and federal rights for all people. He is also in favor of repealing the ban on gay adoptions and fixing the health care system now. Find out more at dan@dangelber.com.

Ron Saunders, our district's state representative and the recently elected democratic leader of the Florida House for 2010, addressed the conference on the need to finally "narrow the gap." The Florida House currently has 44 Democrats and 120 Republicans and that, Saunders believes, must change. Saunders is supportive of GLBT issues and wants to see the ban on gay adoption eliminated.

Several prominent local leaders addressed the conference including Lou Hernandez, the founder of Lambda Democrats of Key West, Monroe County Commissioner Heather Carruthers, Key West City Commissioner Teri Johnston, Key West Police Chief Donie Lee, and J.T. Thompson, originator of the One Human Family motto that was adopted as the official philosophy of Key West and Monroe County.

Dennis Ward, state attorney for the 16th judicial district, reviewed several meanings for the Greek letter lambda, with speculation on why it is now used to refer to gay and lesbian groups. The ancient Greek Spartacus regarded lambda to mean unity, while the Romans considered it the light of knowledge shed into the darkness of ignorance. In physics, lambda denotes the energy we have when working in concert, and the letter may also just stand for liberation.

Whatever lambda may mean in relation to the GLBT community, the summer conference of Lambda Democrats provided participants with an enlightening and rewarding experience.

John Andola, a Key West resident, is a retired educator and gay rights activist. His column appears in The Citizen on Saturdays. He can be contacted at jandola@keysnews.com.