This chapter shall engage in activities and actions designed to accomplish the following objectives —
A. Regarding the principle that no natural person shall be deprived of equal rights based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression:
- Promote the candidacy of Democrats specifically committed to this principle.
- Educate about, advocate for, and encourage the passage of legislation and other measures to secure such rights.
- Promote the candidacy of Democrats specifically committed to such legislation and other measures to secure such rights.
- Foster a spirit of understanding of these and other issues of interest to the extended LGBTQ+ community.
B. Regarding civic, electoral, political, and governmental affairs:
- Engage in actions designed to stimulate active interest and engagement in civic, political, electoral, and governmental affairs, including outreach to other registered and not-yet registered voters who may share our values.
- Encourage and facilitate voter registration, voter mobilization, and voter turnout.
C. Regarding Democratic Party officeholders and candidates:
- Engage with Democratic Party officeholders and candidates regarding issues of concern to Manatee County LGBTQ+ Democrats.
- Endorse Democratic Party candidates who demonstrate worthiness of such endorsement.
- Support and elect duly selected nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local campaigns who are not opposed to the equal rights of LGBTQ+ persons.
D. Regarding the Democratic Party:
- Promote goodwill between LGBTQ+ Democrats and the broader Democratic Party.
- Ensure inclusion of LGBTQ+ Democrats throughout and at all levels of the Democratic Party.
- Ensure regular, active participation by this chapter in Democratic Party meetings and events, including, local, regional, and statewide.
- Strengthen and further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party.
- Provide reasonable and ongoing financial support to this chapter, and to Democratic Party organizations.
E. Regarding the state Caucus:
- Ensure regular, active participation by this chapter in state Caucus meetings and events, including regional and statewide.
F. Regarding LGBTQ+ Democrats:
- Promote civic, electoral, and Democratic Party participation among LGBTQ+ Democrats.
- Help foster a sense of community for LGBTQ+ members of the Democratic Party.
G. Regarding the LGBTQ+ and local communities:
- Promote goodwill between this chapter and the LGBTQ+ community at large, including through participation by this chapter in LGBTQ+ community and other public events.
Federal Issues
- Enact the Uniting American Families Act (UAF)
- Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and enact relationship recognition for all families.
- Enact a comprehensive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Florida Statewide Issues
- Continue to defend adoption rights in Florida.
- Seek the enactment of comprehensive human rights legislation providing basic civil rights anti-discrimination provisions for all LGBTQ+ people in Florida in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Ensure HIV/AIDS educational requirements.
Local Issues
- In the absence of complete federal or statewide civil rights anti-discrimination provision, see the enactment of a countywide human rights ordinance (HRO) to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, or veteran status.