As a member of the Task Force’s special events team, I don’t have as much opportunity as my colleagues to see our community flex its political muscle.

So I was excited last Wednesday to attend the second reading and public hearing of a Miami-Dade County domestic partnership ordinance before the Miami-Dade County Economic Development & Human Services Committee. Walking into the commission chamber, I felt like I had stumbled into the secret sanctuary of a super-hero team — many of the stalwarts of the Miami-Dade LGBT community were there. Over 75 people showed up to speak for the ordinance. The opposition was represented by six people who looked like they had lemons for breakfast.

Our side spoke eloquently about love, family and simple human compassion. One pregnant woman, the partner of a county employee, was two days past her due date and prayed that her water wouldn’t break while she explained how the passage of the ordinance would benefit her growing family. Liz Schwartz, one of the most passionate activists I’ve ever met, brought me to tears with her story about a couple who were separated by hospital staff as one of them lay dying because the couple had no legal connection. Bruno A. Barriero, chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission, took a turn at the public podium to speak in favor of the ordinance. Our opponents, on the other hand, came across as uninformed, uncaring and downright vindictive.

The best part of the hearing came when the committee began its discussion of the ordinance. Although it was annoying to listen to Commissioner Javier D. Souto ramble on about there not being enough information about the financial impact of passing the ordinance, it was worth it to hear Commissioner Dennis C. Moss ask the county’s experts for the facts. “Broward and Palm Beach County both have this type of program?” he asked, to which he received an affirmative reply. “And the sky hasn’t fallen in Broward or Palm Beach?”

Seeing the handwriting on the wall, Commissioner Souto essentially threw a temper tantrum before the vote, during which Commissioners Katy Sorenson and Barbara J. Jordan joined Commissioner Moss in voting to move the ordinance before the full commission. Too bad that vote is scheduled for May 6, when I am out of town. I would love to see the fit Commissioner Souto throws then.

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