This is unique to Florida, and we expect it to be copied in other states.

You are not special. You're not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else. We're all part of the same compost heap. We're all singing, all dancing crap of the world.

Every time a gay or lesbian person is chosen as a leader by their non-gay and lesbian peers, I think it's a step forward for our community.

Ongoing legal action over the air permit does not preclude the building of Thoroughbred. Peabody has a legal permit to construct; the company made the business decision not to do so.

The secretary is making no statements of any kind about Thoroughbred. Because she will be sitting, in effect, as a judge in this case, she is not discussing it with others. Nor is she reading the expressions of opinion that several people have sent to the cabinet since release of the hearing officer's recommendation. But it is her intention to make an objective ruling.

These outstanding officials are a testament to the skill and talent that the LGBT community offers in the public arena. The over 350 openly LGBT public officials serving with distinction in the United States today, many who lead legislative bodies or are chief executives, demonstrate that sexual orientation need not be a barrier to running for office.