Transgender Candidate, Donna Milo, For Miami Commissioner in District 2

[Shana A]

Transgender Candidate, Donna Milo, For Miami Commissioner in District 2
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 13:09 Written by Victoria Michaels

http://www.southfloridagaynews.com/news/politics/4692-transgender-candidate-donna-milo-for-miami-commissioner-in-district-2.html

Milo shares her vision for Miami's future and clarifies her stance on gay marriage

[...]

Milo is no stranger to the political scene. She ran as a Transgender Republican for Congress in May 2010 for Florida's 20th congressional district. Milo came in third with an impressive 22 percent of the vote, which is a high percentage considering that records indicate the third-place candidate typically receives between 10 and 18 percent of the vote.

[Annah]

seems like she has changed her stance significantly. A couple years ago she was against same sex marriage and then people asked her "why are you against same sex marriage but married to a woman?"

She replied, "Because when I married her, I was a man at the time and I believe that divorce is never an answer."

Her answer did not float well with either side of the political fence.

[Dawn D.]

Candidates NEVER say what they really believe in a "primary" elective situation. Heck, candidates NEVER say what they really believe, period. Or, do they?

In reading her full statement:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2011/07/transgender-miami-candidate-donna-milo-i-am-not-against-same-sex-couples-legally-marrying.html

Her position as stated there, is a plausible basis of reasonableness. But, is it the truth of her belief? Like Susan Stanton before her, once you've opened your mouth and the wrong words come out, it's nearly impossible to massage, wordsmith, manipulate, and/or cajole those thoughts into something different than what they were originally heard as in your representation. Especially to the audience that you're trying to vie support from.

Then too, sometimes I think the LGBT community likes to shoot itself in the foot by judging, castigating, vilifying, and making irrelevant a little too quickly those who could help (even though they are not completely on the LGBT bandwagon) to benefit our community, even at some level; just by being there, visible!

Like the current level of ridiculous discourse in our government today, where nothing gets done because we cannot compromise. So too, are the LGBTs sharing in a ridiculous level of failure in not showing acceptance of differing perspectives. If you don't follow the "party line"..........YOU'RE OUT!


Dawn

[Annah]

for me, them being LGBT does not grant them an added favor when I select a person to vote. Nor does the color of their skin or their family's nationalities.

I never voted for her simply because I do not live in Florida, but two years ago, I would not have voted for her if I resided in her jurisdiction. She just had some political philosophies I do not agree with.

If a transgender person was running for president but held to values I do not agree to, I would not vote for that person. Sexual orientation, gender orientation, etc (or being in the same "LGBT" spectrum would not grant them any special immunities when I cast my vote).

So it wouldn't be me shooting myself in the foot or even vilifying them. I just don't vote for people I do not see eye to eye on....doesn't mean they are bad people or villains.

[Dawn D.]

for me, them being LGBT does not grant them an added favor when I select a person to vote. Nor does the color of their skin or their family's nationalities.

Which makes you a very wise voter! One who performs her civic obligation with honorable conviction.

So it wouldn't be me shooting myself in the foot or even vilifying them. I just don't vote for people I do not see eye to eye on....doesn't mean they are bad people or villains.

Yet, the larger LGBT org's play this game just like any other political interest group. Which I personally feel is not an efficient method to hear all sides of issues. Most people (or organization's) with a personal interest in 'something' always seem to bring on the 'fire and brimstone' when someone whom they think "should" be in agreement with their cause are apparently (and sometimes surprisingly) not completely signed on 100%. Just witness the comments section of those two articles in the links provided above for that truth.

If a republican TS candidate is ever to be elected; it likely won't occur without some aid or at least guarded support from the larger LGBT community (regardless of some differing thoughts). The fact that a person is TS should really not make the difference. Though we all know it does. Especially in a two party dominated political system. And, if that TS candidate is making the bold choice of running with a republican designator (R).


Dawn