In 2005, Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor — who then served on the Board of County Commissioners — was the lone holdout against the somewhat infamous Hillsborough County vote to ban gay pride events.
Seven and a half years later, she said she can't believe the Board (with an almost entirely new cast) remains stuck in the past when it comes to issues affecting the LGBT community — last week the board voted 4-3 to reject a domestic partner registry in Hillsborough County.
"I was very disappointed in the Hillsborough County Commission's decision," she told CL on Wednesday afternoon. "They need to recognize that this is a diverse community. We value diversity. It makes us strong."
Only two board members from that 2005 vote currently remain on the County Commission: Mark Sharpe and Ken Hagen. Both voted to support then-commissioner Ronda Storms' controversial proposal, which occurred after opposition formed when certain county libraries offered public displays observing gay pride month in June.
This time around, however, Commissioner Sharpe actually introduced the proposal for a domestic partner registry.
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2013.