Report: Legislator tells gay students God will destroy them
by Barbara Dozetos Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
A group of gay and lesbian Florida high school students looking for legislative sponsors for an anti-discrimination law instead got an anti-gay lecture from one state representative.
"I don't understand why the gay population is becoming so vocal," state Rep. Allen Trovillion, 74, told the students after he listened to their request for support of the Florida Dignity for All Students Act, according to a report in the Tampa Tribune. "You are going to cause the downfall of this country."
The legislator, who represents the suburbs of Orlando, told gay students visiting the state capital as part of Equality Florida Youth Lobby Day that they were throwing their lives away and that God would destroy them. Ann-Marie Manchise, a University of South Florida journalism student, reported the legislator's comments in the Tribune.
According to Manchise's report, Trovillion's comments left at least one student, 17-year-old Chris Vasquez, in tears. "The Florida Legislature says we're going to hell," Vasquez said. "The part that really bothers me is the fact that he's one of the people we're supposed to look up to for moral guidance and support," he added. "[Trovillion is] spouting ... ideas that only make the world more dangerous for gay youth."
In his comments to the students, Trovillion also quoted scripture and said, "God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and he is going to destroy you and a lot of others," Manchise reported.
The students had better luck with other legislators and hope to introduce the bill, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to state non-discrimination laws, to the Legislature early next year. (Posted April 10, 2001)
YOU CAN MAKE HISTORY THIS WEEK!
The Dignity for All Students Bill is Being Debated in the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, April 3.
Thanks to your help and the work of student organizers and adult allies, we have a strong chance of succeeding in this crucial first step to making schools safe for all Florida students, but the members of the committee need to keep hearing from you.
We must keep those calls and e-mail flowing between today and Thursday morning!
STEP ONE
Imagine a state where students don't need to fear harassment because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, religion, or gender identity and where teachers are taught how to stop harassment and violence. Imagine that state is FLORIDA! (GAG!- We've given you Key West, leave our kids alone!)
STEP TWO Forward this email to every person you can think of who cares about the safety of Florida students.
STEP THREE Telephone the following members of the Senate Education Committee in Tallahassee. If you don't have time to call them all, please start at the top of the list and work your way down. The list has been prioritized with key swing votes at the top.
Sen. Dave Aronberg (850) 487-5356
Sen. Lee Constantine (850) 487-5050
Sen. Ken Pruitt (850) 487-5088
Sen. Stephen Wise (850) 487-5027
Sen. Larcenia Bullard (850) 487-5127
Sen. Anna Cowin (850) 487-5014
Sen. Charlie Clary (850) 487-5009
Sen. Lisa Carlton (850) 487-5081
Sen. Jim Sebesta (850) 487-5075
Sen. Ron Klein (850) 487-5091
Sen. Frederica Wilson (850) 487-5116
Please personalize the following script (you will most likely be speaking to a legislative aide):
Hello. My name is ..................... . I'm calling to ask Senator ....................... to support SB 1498, NOT the Dignity for All Students bill when it comes before the Education Committee. When students aren't safe, they can't learn and teachers need clear guidelines on how to stop harassment. Thank you.
STEP FOUR
Email the committee members at the following addresses: aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov cowin.anna.web@flsenate.gov clary.charlie.web@flsenate.gov carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov sebesta.jim.web@flsenate.gov klein.ron.web@flsenate.gov wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov
Please personalize the following message: Dear Senator,
I am writing to ask you to support the Dignity for All Students Act (SB 1498). Harassment is a large and growing problem in our schools and we need this important bill to ensure that every Florida student has a safe learning environment.
I know you have a commitment to Florida's youth and quality education. Can I count on your support for this bill?