Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels goes on a rant

[duvaldude08]

I have a problem with anyone "christian" who think its their job to condemn people to hell and force their religion on others. I am a devout Christian and she makes me sick to my stomach. But in all honestly, as an African American, this is very common in the church. "Homosexuality" is the hot topic amongst a large amount of black leaders in the church.

[Jumpinjack]

I appreciate all the comments about Ms. Daniels personal problems. She seems to be a driven person. But here is the thing- this is our City Council. It represents the citizens of Jacksonville. Council business is not conducted behind closed doors or without the presence of media representatives. They are broadcast and quoted.

So, what is correct about sitting still and allowing this kind of hate speech. Believe me, if this were directed at most other groups or singled out individuals for exaggerated claims of terrorism, there would be a a big backlash. The council chairman would be pounding the podium, and other council members would denounce the speaker. Shame on the council for allowing this to happen. Shame on the members for letting their embarrassment or whatever shut their mouths.

[Jimmy]

I certainly agree with those sentiments, JJ.  The Councilwoman made some strange claims about two groups and one individual public servant who all play an important part in the city of Jacksonville. 

I personally think she should be censured by Council resolution for her negative comments about Muslims, gays, and Dr. Ahmed.  Dr. Admed, who I'm sure has nothing to do with anyone's decapitation, may even have legal recourse against the City of Jacksonville and Daniels, personally, for her slander.

[Jimmy]

From my memory, I believe you must address your comments to the Council as a whole, rather than directing public comments to a specific Councilperson.  But I suppose one could address the whole Council regarding an incident that happened to involve a specific Councilperson. 

[Tacachale]

And seriously, I think its a shame that people are so abused and crushed by feelings of self hatred coming from these few holdouts of right wing evangelicalism.

Kim is supposedly a 'former' lesbian as well. (read her autobiographical rants or listen to her various 'testimonies').

Its tragic the things that self hatred drives people to do and claim in public.  Whenever I hear rants like this, I just feel like the person has tremendous and deep problems that they cannot seem to overcome.

What drives a person to shout and rave in public against other people like that anyways?  It doesnt come from a place of happiness or well being.

And tacachale, I am a longtime member of first baptist.  I stopped going as much during the wholly insane ministry of Jerry Vines, as did most of the congregation----the church still hasnt recovered from the damage caused by that hateful old man---and I can tell you from very personal experience how many self loathing gay and lesbian people are in that congregation.

Jacksonville's public life seems to be caught permanently in the 70s / 80s when admitting to being gay was still tabu in the country at large.

It hasnt kept us from having a heavily gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered field of public officials and activists, oddly.  They just don't ask and dont tell anybody about it.

Just a few years ago, there were three gay councilmen, a gay superintendent of schools and closeted bisexual executives at the local and state level.

And Jacksonville has the kind of amusing distinction of having a transgendered person become one of the most iconic and fiery community activists for preservation in the state of florida.  Yet its all secret and hush hush.

I think as of right now, the only openly gay person in government is Bob White, the executive director of the Cultural Council.  He and his long time partner Bruce were quite prominently out when Bob was appointed.

One of his predecessors, Barbara Bennisch was also lesbian, and it was an open secret, but it wasnt generally open.

If you knew who was gay, lesbian, bisexual in this city in terms of leadership, finance, politics and activism you would come away with the impression that Jax was one of the most progressive cities (still) in America on the issue.

And yet we still have this kind of hate speech conducted in public---mostly by people who are themselves gay/lesbian/bisexual.  And the hate speech, I believe, comes from an internal voice that has been pointed inwardly for most of their lives.

I think Kimberly is a tragic and possibly dangerous person.  No doubt this reincarnation as a fire and brimstone preacher gives her an outlet besides suicide of manifesting her hatred of everything that she spent the first part of her life being, but she is breeding those same feelings of self loathing in a new generation of people and its just very sad.

You'll get no argument from me about the religious hypocrisy that keeps so many in the closet and the awful consequences it has for themselves, the others they targer, and the culture at large. Daniels is a sad case and this embarrassing show is likely only the beginning. We should not shrug it off.

[duvaldude08]

And seriously, I think its a shame that people are so abused and crushed by feelings of self hatred coming from these few holdouts of right wing evangelicalism.

Kim is supposedly a 'former' lesbian as well. (read her autobiographical rants or listen to her various 'testimonies').

Its tragic the things that self hatred drives people to do and claim in public.  Whenever I hear rants like this, I just feel like the person has tremendous and deep problems that they cannot seem to overcome.

What drives a person to shout and rave in public against other people like that anyways?  It doesnt come from a place of happiness or well being.

And tacachale, I am a longtime member of first baptist.  I stopped going as much during the wholly insane ministry of Jerry Vines, as did most of the congregation----the church still hasnt recovered from the damage caused by that hateful old man---and I can tell you from very personal experience how many self loathing gay and lesbian people are in that congregation.

Jacksonville's public life seems to be caught permanently in the 70s / 80s when admitting to being gay was still tabu in the country at large.

It hasnt kept us from having a heavily gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered field of public officials and activists, oddly.  They just don't ask and dont tell anybody about it.

Just a few years ago, there were three gay councilmen, a gay superintendent of schools and closeted bisexual executives at the local and state level.

And Jacksonville has the kind of amusing distinction of having a transgendered person become one of the most iconic and fiery community activists for preservation in the state of florida.  Yet its all secret and hush hush.

I think as of right now, the only openly gay person in government is Bob White, the executive director of the Cultural Council.  He and his long time partner Bruce were quite prominently out when Bob was appointed.

One of his predecessors, Barbara Bennisch was also lesbian, and it was an open secret, but it wasnt generally open.

If you knew who was gay, lesbian, bisexual in this city in terms of leadership, finance, politics and activism you would come away with the impression that Jax was one of the most progressive cities (still) in America on the issue.

And yet we still have this kind of hate speech conducted in public---mostly by people who are themselves gay/lesbian/bisexual.  And the hate speech, I believe, comes from an internal voice that has been pointed inwardly for most of their lives.

I think Kimberly is a tragic and possibly dangerous person.  No doubt this reincarnation as a fire and brimstone preacher gives her an outlet besides suicide of manifesting her hatred of everything that she spent the first part of her life being, but she is breeding those same feelings of self loathing in a new generation of people and its just very sad.

You'll get no argument from me about the religious hypocrisy that keeps so many in the closet and the awful consequences it has for themselves, the others they targer, and the culture at large. Daniels is a sad case and this embarrassing show is likely only the beginning. We should not shrug it off.

I know right! Just wait until the issue of adding sexual orientation to the human rights ordiance hits the council. She'll probably have her bible ready.

[Jimmy]

DD, I think she'll actually help the cause, when that time comes.  She has a following, but it's not in the mainstream of Jacksonville.  It's not even in the mainstream of the City Council anymore.  Times are changing with some of the new (and a few of the old) Councilmembers.

[duvaldude08]

DD, I think she'll actually help the cause, when that time comes.  She has a following, but it's not in the mainstream of Jacksonville.  It's not even in the mainstream of the City Council anymore.  Times are changing with some of the new (and a few of the old) Councilmembers.

I hope so Jimmy!

[Tacachale]

I certainly agree with those sentiments, JJ.  The Councilwoman made some strange claims about two groups and one individual public servant who all play an important part in the city of Jacksonville. 

I personally think she should be censured by Council resolution for her negative comments about Muslims, gays, and Dr. Ahmed.  Dr. Admed, who I'm sure has nothing to do with anyone's decapitation, may even have legal recourse against the City of Jacksonville and Daniels, personally, for her slander.

I'd think this would definitely be considered defamation. I doubt he'd pursue such a thing though, it's just not the kind of guy he is.

[Demosthenes]

I wonder what Don Redman must be thinking...

"Hey, Im finally not the biggest bigot and homophobe on city council!!!"