For failed LGBT bill, Florida media serve as unabashed cheerleaders

Author: Kresta in the Afternoon Published on: February 11, 2016 Published in: Sexuality

Ohhhh, they were so close, but the score was tied and the clock ran out.

No, this ain’t football; it’s about coverage of a gay-rights addition to nondiscrimination laws in Florida. LGBT forces and their allies in Tallahassee have been trying for years, and this week it got as far as a state committee. Then it died in a 5-5 deadlock vote.

Oh well, there’s always next season. And cheering them on again will likely be mainstream media – as they did this week.

Check out this pom-pom shaking by the Associated Press:

“The fact that the bill (SB 120) was even heard was a big step for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates.

“What we’ve seen here is a debate that hasn’t been seen up to this point. This is a positive first step. We have Republicans who are coming and fighting for this issue,” said Patrick Slevin, campaign manager for a coalition of businesses pushing for the anti-discrimination law.

Although there are signs that some Republican attitudes are changing on gay rights – two Republicans voted for the bill in the Judiciary Committee and Republican Rep. Holly Raschein is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 45) along with nine GOP co-sponsors – it took only five Republicans to stop it from advancing.”