08508ScottGalvin

www.ambiente.us AUGUST / AGOSTO 2008

SCOTT GALVIN: Pride & Politics
by Herb Sosa

In 2004 he became the first sitting elected
official in South Florida to announce that
he is gay.

Scott Galvin has never looked back.

"It was my decision to come out. I wanted
it to happen on my own terms. I was
angered by President Bush saying we
needed to amend the U.S. Constitution to
outlaw gay marriage. As a gay man,
I could not sit quietly while someone
spoke of amending the Constitution to
take away rights of a minority." said Galvin

HS: As an international Board of Directors
member for the AIDS Healthcare
Foundation (AHF), the nation’s largest
work with many individuals in need,
offering cutting-edge medicine and
advocacy, regardless of ability to pay to
more than 27,000 people in the United
States, Africa, Central America and Asia.
What would you say are the pressing
needs of the South Florida LGBT community
today and why?

SG: Education and testing are the biggest issues in South Florida. Everyone should get tested regularly!
That’s why the AHF clinic in Wilton Manors offers testing, medicine, and great counseling services. You can
also shop next door at our “Out of the Closet” Thrift Store, too!

HS: Professionally, you currently serve as the Vice President of Education for Junior Achievement of Greater
Miami, recruiting and training corporate volunteers to bring lessons of finance and community to children
across Miami-Dade County. You have also worked as a teacher at Miami Country Day and are very involved in
preservation and history. Why is community involvement so important to you? How and why should youth
become more involved in their community?

SG: I began my community service simply because it was fun. And that’s really why I continue to do it. I first
ran for office when I was only 20 years old. I lost, but stayed involved and have been able to help so many
people since then. I love to bring a smile to the faces of people who feel that no one cares.
The youth of our community need to get involved for a variety of reasons. I always tell kids to find a cause in
which they believe passionately and volunteer. It allows them to help others and meet great people along the
way.   Young people are usually focused on their own lives, and not on the world and community around
them. But sooner than they realize, they become the ones inheriting problems and being expected to fix
them. Better to not have had their heads in the sand.

HS: How has your family played into your very publicly open career & life? (Brothers, sisters, parents, etc)
Have they always been supportive?

SG: Absolutely! Mom and dad are always the first to write a campaign check. Although mom gets mad if I’m
stay late at an event and she’s cooked dinner.

HS: Are you in a relationship, and if so, is he active in your career? Supportive?... If no partner, do you believe
this may make you more "acceptable" as an openly gay politician - less in your face to some voters?

SG: I’m not in a relationship at this moment. With as many hours as I dedicate to my career, it’s hard to find
someone who will tolerate it.

I turn 40 in a few months. Being a bit of a wise soul, I have long
realized that our time on Earth is precious. I hope in the end that I
will have made my community a better place in which to live.
Every day, I hear from people who are disenchanted with the
political process in this country. I hope I will have restored some
of their faith in this wonderful democracy in which we live.
                                                                                                           - Scott Galvin

                                                                                                      HS: Is a continued political career in your
                                                                                                      future plans? Where do you hope to get
                                                                                                      to?

                                                                                                      SG: I would love to serve in Congress or
                                                                                                     the State Legislature someday. I would
                                                                                                     be a privilege to work on solutions for the
                                                                                                     challenges before our nation and state.
                                                                                                     But I have much work ahead of me in
                                                                                                     North Miami, and I am excited about
                                                                                                     continuing here as long as the voters
                                                                                                     allow me.

Councilman Galvin Hands Out Ice in the Days Following Hurricane Wilma.

HS: Do you believe there are still limitations for openly gay politicians, and why?

SG: Yes, but it depends on where you live. Obviously, openly-gay officials are accepted in metropolitan areas
like South Florida. Were we in Utah, for instance, that might be different. However, acceptance is coming
quickly and by the time I’m 60, such prejudices will be overcome.
HS: Do you believe you will see in your lifetime and (openly) gay governor? President? Will it be you?

SG: It has long been said that if one works hard, you can be elected President of the United States. But until
now, that has only applied to white, Christian males. When Barack Obama is elected this November, it will
signify that anyone truly can be elected President. That means we will certainly see Presidents…and
Governors…of many diverse backgrounds.

HS: What is historically significant in North Miami, and how do you hope to get the community to
see/appreciate it?

SG: The things in North Miami that are worth preserving are the things that bring back fond memories for the
people who grew up here. We recently renovated the “Frog Pond” in front of North Miami High School. It is
just a simple pond surrounded by four concrete frogs, but we restored it as a working fountain just last
month. For the first time in decades, it works. You wouldn't know the Frog Pond if you weren't from the area,
but for those who live and grew up there, it’s priceless.

LGBT youth interested in change & politics: You should volunteer for
a cause in which you feel passionately. Learn about the issues that
are important to all of us. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Most
importantly, VOTE!                                                                        - Scott Galvin

HS: What is (the city of) North Miami missing, and how do you plan on changing that?

SG: I still hope for a downtown arts district revolving around our immensely successful Museum of
Contemporary Art (MoCA). I would love it to become a destination point of restaurants, galleries, and stores.
I've already passed legislation creating the district and we've created special allowances for arts-related
stores. Now, we have to spread the word about the great opportunities.

HS: How can people contact you to learn more about your work?

SG: For almost 10 years, I have maintained my own website at www.scott-galvin.com.   It’s been a great way
to stay in contact with residents. They can also email me at scott@scott-galvin.com.

North Miami is the only city in Miami-Dade County with two openly
-gay members serving on its Council (me and Mayor Kevin Burns).

Also, for over two years, the City of North Miami has provided domestic partner benefits to all city employees
regardless of gender and sexual orientation. They have also unanimously adopted a procurement ordinance
requiring contractors wishing to do business with the City to provide equal health benefits to domestic
partners in their companies.

Earlier this year, the entire North Miami City Council was given the "Champions of Equality" award by SAVE
Dade, a South Florida-based LGBT non-profit organization

WORD ASSOCIATION:

North Miami - home

Politics - challenging

HIV/AIDS - beatable

Men - . . .

Working out - hard

Success - Elusive

Pride - Fun

Favorite item of clothing - Jeans                                                            Galvin with U of M's Spectrum Group - 2005

Captain Jim's (N. Miami restaurant) – crab cakes

Favorite Food – Fried Chicken

I want to be remembered... – as making a difference

-----------------------------------------

About the Author
HERB SOSA

Community activist, Miami historian, preservationist and freelance writer, Herb Sosa is a founding member
and Director of Unity Coalition/Coalición Unida, a non-profit focused on minority political & social
empowerment. He is also Editor-In-Chief of Ambiente Magazine, a Latino/Hispanic focused LGBT
publication and regularly offers public speaking, leadership and political empowerment training workshops.

Sosa served as chairman of Miami Beach's Historic Preservation Board for over six years, and has served on
the Board of Directors of the Miami Design Preservation League, Dade Heritage Trust, Miami Beach
Community Development Corp., Shelbourne & Fernwood HIV/AIDS Housing, and variety of other
organizations throughout South Florida.

In 1995 Mr. Sosa created and developed the Ba-Balú Store concept in Miami & Miami Beach, celebrating his
Cuban heritage thru art, cigars, music and unique giftware, and earning the store the unique distinction of
being named one of Conde N’ast Traveler Magazines top 100 destinations in the world in 1996.

In January 2004, Herb Sosa was named one of Tentaciónes Magazines Top Ten Latina/o activists in the U.S.
and in 2005 was named one of OUT magazines Top 100 LGBT Activists and featured on LOGO TV and on
April 2008 Sosa was named Terra.com's Activist of the Month.

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