It is always great to point out news that shows progress for the LGBT movement, and the story here is an example of that. You know the Pride march slogan, “We’re Here, We’re Queer, “Get Used to it!”? Many of the folks who oppose equality for the LGBTQ folks , set about their agenda by trying to keep us invisible. And a Florida legislation would have aided in that venture. A bill was written, designed to help bring film production to the state, and would provide additional benefits to those films that didn’t have gay characters or gay story lines. In other words, some in Florida wanted to give special treatment to those films that kelp LGBTs invisible.

The House Finance and Tax Council today removed discriminatory and controversial language which would have provided a tax credit for films which avoided depicting “nontraditional family values.”

Original versions of the bill also included “nontraditional family values” as subject to be avoided in exchange for extra incentives or rebates. That language would have made it more profitable for film makers not to depicting gay, lesbian or even single-parent families in their productions.

Fortunately, all of that bad language has been take4n out of the bills in both the FLA House and Senate, where the bills passed (38-0 in the Senate).

Florida Together, a statewide federation of over 80 organizations in Florida which support equality for all people, led the fight to remove the language and appears to have scored a major victory.

I think we can count on legislators to work with us, but so often, it is LGBT and other-wise equality oriented groups that must lead the battle and keep legislators informed and accountable.

via outinmiami.com – FLORIDA HOUSE REMOVES DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE FROM FILM BILL.