Round 1

It's disappointing, but not surprising that the 27% of Gainesville voters who went to the polls Tuesday defeated Amendment One and upheld the Gender Identity ordinance. Gainesville has already cemented its position as the most liberal city in Florida. The Yes 2 Marriage Amendment last fall would have failed if the rest of the state voted like Gainesville did. This election was swayed by an influx of money from gay advocacy groups around the country, and a surge of political interest from UF students - mobilized by the LGBT student union - who turned out in bus loads during early voting.

The fact that 27% is considered a good turnout for a city election is a shame in itself. I still believe that if a majority of the registered voters in Gainesville had voted, the outcome would have been different. The anti-One side succeeded in convincing some people that gay, lesbian and transgender individuals would be subject to Jim Crow-like discrimination if the amendment was passed - without any evidence that such discrimination existed before the ordinance was enacted! 

Once again I must emphasize that we did not oppose the Gender Identity ordinance out of hatred for homosexuals or transgendered people. Our concern is that a poorly drawn law designed to protect a small group that has virtually no demonstrated history of being discriminated against, has literally opened the door to allow sexual predators into our public restrooms - and that has been demonstrated. 

Most local political observers think it is only a matter of time until Alachua county commissioners decide they want to be seen as "progressive" and pass a similar law. Then it will be time for county residents to decide where they stand. Round 1 of this culture clash is over, but Round 2 may not be far away.

My hope is that we will be able to look back and say this was the beginning of a movement by God's people to work together to bring back a society based on eternal truth and not the "cause of the month". My prayer is that it doesn't take a tragedy to wake us up.

I'll close with a little personal vignette:  last week, while driving my kids to school, we heard one of the frequently-repeated radio ads for the anti-One side. One of my boys asked me why I was against the Gender Identity ordinance. While I was trying to think of a scholarly and scripturally accurate answer, my 10 year old daughter said ..."because if God says its wrong, we can't say it's right".     That sums up a Christian worldview better than any book I've read to date.

Finally, I'll end with this verse, which popped into my head while reading the results of the election Wednesday morning.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."  Prov. 14:12

Time to Vote!

Time to Vote! - Yes on 1

Every spring in Gainesville we talk about March Madness. This year its not about basketball, but the city election on March 24. The madness is the city ordinance, passed last year,  that allows someone - based on an "inner sense" of his/her gender - to decide which restroom facility they will use.  Those who think this is a harmless accommodation to the homosexual community need to read this article from the Gainesville Sun on March 5th  - http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090305/ARTICLES/903051023

Citizens for Good Public Policy - www.citizensforgoodpublicpolicy.org -has been leading the charge to repeal this ordinance and change the city charter permanently, so that the city commission won't replace common sense with "inner sense"  again.

If you are a registered voter in Gainesville its is critical that you vote YES ON Amendment 1.  If you know someone who is a Gainesville voter, call them and urge them to vote. Our opponents are vocal and well-financed. The Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Sun and other secular organizations have registered their opposition. It's time for the Christian community to stand and make its voice heard. 

The Community Issues committee wants to help you join the fight for Amendment One.   We will have information tables staffed after each service this Sunday, March 15, to give you opportunities to show your support, by taking a sign for your yard or volunteering to hold a sign at busy intersections in town next week. We also encourage you to financially support the CGPP, if you can, by making an online donation at their website.

Early voting starts Monday March 16, at the Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Gainesville.  Help us end the madness and restore common sense to our government.

Vote Yes on Amendment 1