Freedom Democrats do not discriminate and encourage all peoples, regardless of age, sex, color, religion or sexual orientation or "other" to join us in our fight for equal rights for all citizens of the United States of America. We are inclusive and encourage others to be the same.
Freedom Democrats is the new name given to the former Miami-Dade GLBT Democratic Caucus and is one of 12 Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("GLBT") caucuses. We are registered as an official caucus under the umbrella of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and are chartered under the auspices of the Florida Democratic Party.
The Freedom Democrats have decided to use the acronym GLBT as it is what is used by the State GLBT Caucus. We apologize in advance if we offend any person by using this acronym.
The Freedom Democrats are also affiliated with, and have close working relationships with, many other caucuses in Florida inclusive of those in Key West, Broward County, Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Caucuses and Local Clubs make up the lifeblood of the Democratic Party and we encourage all GLBT Democrats statewide to join their local Caucus or Clubs, please see Florida GLBT Democrats for a full list.
Our mission is to promote GLBT issues within the Democratic Party, hold public officials accountable for their actions, identify Democrats and register them to vote, educate voters on GLBT issues and assist the Democratic Party in electing Democrats to local, state and national offices.
Monthly social mixers are held the the last Tuesday of each month at 8:00pm and official business meetings are held the second Thursday of each month, at The American Legion on 64th and Biscayne Boulevard at 7:00 pm. The American Legion is located one block east (toward the ocean) off of Biscayne Boulevard and parking is FREE for all meetings.
Both meetings provide ANYONE the opportunity to hear from office holders, candidates and other leaders, meet new friends and voice your opnion on how the Freedom Democrats can best represent you. We are here because you care!
Our members have taken leadership and other volunteer roles in presidential and gubernatorial campaigns as well as other state and local races. Several of our members also serve on the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee, which is the county level Democratic Party governing organization.
Speakers over the past two years have included US Attorney General Janet Reno, State Senator Daryl Jones, State Representatives Elaine Bloom and Sally Heyman, County Mayor Alex Penelas, County Commissioners Katy Sorenson and Jimmy Morales, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Kunst, Miami Herald columnist Jim Defede and Bob Farmer, Finance Campaign Manager for Presidential Nominee John Kerry.
Participation with the Freedom Democrats puts you in touch with the Democratic Party at the county, state and national levels, and provides valuable political and social interaction. Please join us for our social and business mixers each month and see the calendar section for updates of who will be speaking at each meeting and social event.
History: "Thank you to our Trail Blazer."
Our caucus began in 1998 as the Dan Bradley Democratic Club, named in memory of a dedicated Miami Democrat. Dan Bradley (1936-1988) was a long-time social activist and an attorney. His coming out of the closet gave many LGBT people the confidence to do likewise.
In the early 60's he was a lawyer with Florida Migrant Legal Services. In 1966 he joined what later became the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, serving sixteen years, the last three as its president. The Reagan Administration tried to abolish the Corporation, which lead to hearings. Dan's testimony before Congress was credited as the key to saving the agency.
Dan had wrestled with announcing his sexual orientation for years but delayed doing so especially while Congress debated the fate of the agency. After the 1983 hearing, he announced he was gay, which made national headlines. He subsequently resigned government service due to health reasons and returned to Miami.
He became an eloquent spokesman for equal rights. He lectured, appeared on the Phil Donahue television program opposite Reverend Jerry Falwell, chaired the homosexual rights committee of the American Bar Association and served on several boards, including the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. He succumbed to HIV complications in Coral Gables, Jan 8, 1988.
Dan, we are indebted to your integrity, service, and committment, your memory lives on in each of us every day. Thank you!
Board of Directors and Officers (as of November 1, 2006)
Chip Arndt
President
Linda Shapanka
Vice President
Office Open
Director of Membership
Chris Gates
Treasurer
Thomas McDaniels
Secretary
Office Open
Director of Marketing
Patron Members (as of October 1, 2006) -- Donation of $100+
Michael Albetta
Chip Arndt
Chris Barr
Robert Flanders
Chris Gates
Steve Hagen
Laurence Moser
Greg Ullman
Honorary Members (as of October 1, 2006)
Bret Berlin
Dan Bradley
Mayor Kevin Burns
Representative Barney Frank
Scott Galvin
Cindy Lerner
Jimmy Morales
Bob Oldakowski
Andrew Tobias
Paula Xanthopoulu
Al Zeller
Ray Zeller
Freedom Democrats is the new name given to the former Miami-Dade GLBT Democratic Caucus and is one of 12 Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("GLBT") caucuses. We are registered as an official caucus under the umbrella of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and are chartered under the auspices of the Florida Democratic Party.
The Freedom Democrats have decided to use the acronym GLBT as it is what is used by the State GLBT Caucus. We apologize in advance if we offend any person by using this acronym.
The Freedom Democrats are also affiliated with, and have close working relationships with, many other caucuses in Florida inclusive of those in Key West, Broward County, Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Caucuses and Local Clubs make up the lifeblood of the Democratic Party and we encourage all GLBT Democrats statewide to join their local Caucus or Clubs, please see Florida GLBT Democrats for a full list.
Our mission is to promote GLBT issues within the Democratic Party, hold public officials accountable for their actions, identify Democrats and register them to vote, educate voters on GLBT issues and assist the Democratic Party in electing Democrats to local, state and national offices.
Monthly social mixers are held the the last Tuesday of each month at 8:00pm and official business meetings are held the second Thursday of each month, at The American Legion on 64th and Biscayne Boulevard at 7:00 pm. The American Legion is located one block east (toward the ocean) off of Biscayne Boulevard and parking is FREE for all meetings.
Both meetings provide ANYONE the opportunity to hear from office holders, candidates and other leaders, meet new friends and voice your opnion on how the Freedom Democrats can best represent you. We are here because you care!
Our members have taken leadership and other volunteer roles in presidential and gubernatorial campaigns as well as other state and local races. Several of our members also serve on the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee, which is the county level Democratic Party governing organization.
Speakers over the past two years have included US Attorney General Janet Reno, State Senator Daryl Jones, State Representatives Elaine Bloom and Sally Heyman, County Mayor Alex Penelas, County Commissioners Katy Sorenson and Jimmy Morales, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Kunst, Miami Herald columnist Jim Defede and Bob Farmer, Finance Campaign Manager for Presidential Nominee John Kerry.
Participation with the Freedom Democrats puts you in touch with the Democratic Party at the county, state and national levels, and provides valuable political and social interaction. Please join us for our social and business mixers each month and see the calendar section for updates of who will be speaking at each meeting and social event.
History: "Thank you to our Trail Blazer."
Our caucus began in 1998 as the Dan Bradley Democratic Club, named in memory of a dedicated Miami Democrat. Dan Bradley (1936-1988) was a long-time social activist and an attorney. His coming out of the closet gave many LGBT people the confidence to do likewise.
In the early 60's he was a lawyer with Florida Migrant Legal Services. In 1966 he joined what later became the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, serving sixteen years, the last three as its president. The Reagan Administration tried to abolish the Corporation, which lead to hearings. Dan's testimony before Congress was credited as the key to saving the agency.
Dan had wrestled with announcing his sexual orientation for years but delayed doing so especially while Congress debated the fate of the agency. After the 1983 hearing, he announced he was gay, which made national headlines. He subsequently resigned government service due to health reasons and returned to Miami.
He became an eloquent spokesman for equal rights. He lectured, appeared on the Phil Donahue television program opposite Reverend Jerry Falwell, chaired the homosexual rights committee of the American Bar Association and served on several boards, including the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. He succumbed to HIV complications in Coral Gables, Jan 8, 1988.
Dan, we are indebted to your integrity, service, and committment, your memory lives on in each of us every day. Thank you!
Board of Directors and Officers (as of November 1, 2006)
Chip Arndt
President
Linda Shapanka
Vice President
Office Open
Director of Membership
Chris Gates
Treasurer
Thomas McDaniels
Secretary
Office Open
Director of Marketing
Patron Members (as of October 1, 2006) -- Donation of $100+
Michael Albetta
Chip Arndt
Chris Barr
Robert Flanders
Chris Gates
Steve Hagen
Laurence Moser
Greg Ullman
Honorary Members (as of October 1, 2006)
Bret Berlin
Dan Bradley
Mayor Kevin Burns
Representative Barney Frank
Scott Galvin
Cindy Lerner
Jimmy Morales
Bob Oldakowski
Andrew Tobias
Paula Xanthopoulu
Al Zeller
Ray Zeller
