Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/161733
Sarasota News Leader August 30, 2013 Page 9 case of arson," but adds that "no other details can be released at this time." While certainly the most extreme example, the fire wasn't the first time Langley and Wojtczak had experienced intimidation or harassment in their neighborhood. Langley says a neighbor called Wojtczak a "stupid dyke bitch" three years ago and threatened to start a fire. People have thrown eggs, fruit and even rocks at their trailer. "We've had two broken windows. We've had our water pipe broken a couple times," Langley says. The couple had planned to celebrate their two-year anniversary this week with a drive to Venice to file as domestic partners, a registry approved just this year. The program provides unmarried couples who live together certain rights, such as hospital visitation and healthcare decision-making. But instead of doing that, Langley and Wojtczak are looking for a new home. The Red Cross put them up in a hotel for three nights, but the couple can't afford to stay there much longer. Aside from some clothes, they lost everything. A map shows the location of the Casa Di Amici condominium complex in Venice. Image courtesy Google maps posal, but Commissioner Christine Robinson tells the News Leader that's just a reflection of two days of marathon meetings. "There's a whole host of things I didn't get to," says Robinson, who calls herself "interested" in having a "conversation" about a human rights ordinance. "It probably will be brought up again." "My plan is to be at every South County meetNowak calls the fire a "hate crime," and says ing," Nowak says. "If you get in their face long she wishes there were greater punishments enough, they're going to notice." for criminals who target victims because of "This issue won't go away," Shelin told the sexual orientation. Her fight may have begun commission Tuesday. over Casa Di Amici's unintentional discrimination, but she won't stop even if the County "I don't feel free in this country," Nowak said. Commission does eventually adopt a human "To be able to discriminate against me legalrights ordinance. She wants the Florida Divi- ly — that does not make me feel free." She sion of Real Estate to implement similar an- brought up the closing words of the national ti-discrimination rules. While she's been polit- anthem: "the land of the free and the home of ically conscious for years, Nowak says she's the brave." been "quiet." No longer. "I don't want to be the brave one," she No one on the County Commission immedi- said. "I want to be the free one. I want my ately commented on Nowak and Shelin's pro- freedom." %