Press Room/Media

News and Alerts - Read about the most important issues facing Florida’s progressive movement and what you can do to help.

If you have news or events that you would like to see Equality Florida cover in the pages of Equality News or on this Web site, please send your comments and suggestions to brian@eqfl.org or call / write:

Brian Winfield
Director of Communications
Equality Florida
1302 S. Dale Mabry, #652
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 870-3735 (x208)

Transgenders do need protection laws
October 3, 2007
"We don't serve your kind here, get out." "I don't rent to people like you." "Don't even bother applying, your type isn't welcome here." What would you do if you heard these words. Call a lawyer? Call the newspaper? Fight back? Not if you happen to be transgender, like me, because in many places that type of discrimination is completely legal. Really. (more)

Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Removed from Tourism Council
We're sending this short update to let you know that your efforts are paying off in the ongoing campaign to respond to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle's continuing anti-gay attacks. (read more)

A biased crusader
OUR OPINION: BROWARD OFFICIALS SHOULD REPUDIATE NAUGLE'S VIEWS
Miami Herald Editorial, Posted on Fri, Aug. 24, 2007
Broward County tourism officials couldn't possibly have anticipated that their worst nightmare in 2007 would be Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. The mayor seems determined to alienate every gay and lesbian potential visitor to Broward with his contemptible anti-gay campaign. (read more)

When the gay issue hits home
Tallahassee Democrat | August 21, 2007
In more than a year as the Faith editor, I've encountered this phenomenon a number of times: the gay issue as litmus test. (read more)

Time to give transgenders rights, not ridicule
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com | August 5, 2007
Last summer, when my cholesterol count came back high, my wife signed me up with a personal trainer. "You'll like him," she said. "He's got an interesting story.". (read more)

Hate-crimes bill punishes violent acts
Fort Myers News Press EDITORIAL | August 2, 2007
Efforts to demonize a proposed hate-crimes law in Congress are at best naive and at worst dishonest. (read more)

LGBT Community Outraged by Daytona Murder
July 31, 2007
(DAYTONA) Equality Florida today expressed deep sorrow and outrage at the Sunday morning murder apparently motivated by anti-gay and anti-transgender bigotry. (read more)

Senate to Vote Shortly on Matthew Shepard Act
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) filed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) as an amendment for consideration to the Department of Defense Reauthorization currently being debated before the U.S. Senate. (read more)

Flush Naugle's Bigotry
Help us wipe-clean Mayor Naugle’s dirty mind by sending a roll of toilet paper to city hall today! (read more)

Gay Marriage Hysteria Subsides
When the high court of Massachusetts ruled in 2003 that the commonwealth's constitution gave same-sex couples the right to marry, detractors railed against "activist judges" who were "imposing" their will on the people. (read more)

Bigotry Rears Its Ugly Head in LGBT Friendly Miami Beach
(MIAMI BEACH) Today, Equality Florida condemned the bigoted and mean-spirited actions of Bill Smatts, a Miami Beach resident who has erected a 50-foot-long banner reading “God Created Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve” over his home and in violation of the city code (read more)

Equality Update Monthly eNews
>>Read the June 2007 edition

When states bar gay unions, domestic couples lose perks
USA TODAY EDITORIAL | June 24, 2007
After Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, more than 20 states rushed to pass constitutional amendments barring the practice. Backers said their initiatives would have no impact beyond marriage. (read more)

Gay-Straight Student Network Launched in Florida
FIU Student, Gloria Bauta, Selected to Lead Effort
(Miami) Today, Equality Florida announced the launch of the Florida Gay Straight Alliance Network, an unprecedented effort to provide a support structure for the growing number of student-run Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools across the state. (read more)

Governor And Legislature Asked to Repudiate Latest Round of Bigoted Statements by Republican Lawmaker
(St. Petersburg) Today, Equality Florida condemned the ignorant, hurtful and bigoted remarks of Rep. Alan Hays, as he spoke with AIDS service workers on June 13th. (read more)

LGBT Community Outraged by Daytona Murder
July 31, 2007
(DAYTONA) Equality Florida today expressed deep sorrow and outrage at the Sunday morning murder apparently motivated by anti-gay and anti-transgender bigotry. (read more)

Senate to Vote Shortly on Matthew Shepard Act
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) filed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) as an amendment for consideration to the Department of Defense Reauthorization currently being debated before the U.S. Senate. (read more)

Flush Naugle's Bigotry
Help us wipe-clean Mayor Naugle’s dirty mind by sending a roll of toilet paper to city hall today! (read more)

Gay Marriage Hysteria Subsides
When the high court of Massachusetts ruled in 2003 that the commonwealth's constitution gave same-sex couples the right to marry, detractors railed against "activist judges" who were "imposing" their will on the people. (read more)

Bigotry Rears Its Ugly Head in LGBT Friendly Miami Beach
(MIAMI BEACH) Today, Equality Florida condemned the bigoted and mean-spirited actions of Bill Smatts, a Miami Beach resident who has erected a 50-foot-long banner reading “God Created Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve” over his home and in violation of the city code (read more)

Ann Arbor school district joins city of Kalamazoo
Will be the end of gay partner benefits for these public employers
LANSING, Mich. (AP) | Jun 5, 2007
The City of Kalamazoo no longer will offer health insurance benefits to the partners of gay workers, becoming Michigan’s first public employer to take away existing benefits in the wake of a 2004 ban against gay marriage. (read more)

Watch with RealPlayer

Largo Apologizes for Arrest and Mistreatment of Nadine Smith
The Largo City Commission has issued a formal public apology to Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith for her unprovoked and unnecessarily violent arrest at the February 27th commission hearing where a majority of commissioners voted to fire City Manager because she is transgender. (read more)

Jim Harper Joins Equality Florida Board of Directors
Longtime Community Activist Brings Passion and Experience to Diverse Board
5/24/07
(St. Petersburg) Equality Florida is pleased to announce today that James Harper of Tampa has joined the Board of Directors of the statewide organization. (read more)

Charges Dropped Against Nadine Smith
At the guidance of my attorney, I have declined to speak out until now about my arrest and brutal treatment by Largo police and the utterly false statements included in the police reports. I have certainly wanted to talk. It is very difficult to remain silent in the face of injustice, and now that these outrageous charges have been dropped, I think it is very important to speak. (read more)

You Did It! Hate Crimes Bill Passes US House with Florida's Help
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HR 1592), also called the Federal hate crimes bill, passed the U.S. House today by a vote of 237-180, drawing bipartisan support from the Florida Delegation. (read more)

House Passes Safe Schools Bill After Sponsor Affirms LGBT Inclusion
Senate Version Held Hostage by Jacksonville Republican
The Florida House passed a bullying prevention bill 110-1 following the sponsor's affirmation that the bill requires schools to protect LGBT students. (View Video)

Equality Florida April E-Newsletter!
Here’s your Equality Florida Monthly Update to keep you informed about the successes we’ve had and the challenges we face. We also want to share with you the incredible work our statewide members and volunteers do everyday. (read the newsletter)

1,000 Attend Vigils to Honors Ryan Skipper and Spotlight Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes
4/14/07
Cities from Pensacola to Key West Unite with Our Nation's Capital Against Hate
Nearly 1,000 people attended vigils in 14 cities across Florida and in the nation's capital today to honor Ryan Keith Skipper, a 25-year-old Polk County man who was viciously murdered and his body left on the side of a road in what the Sheriff's office has called an anti-gay hate crime. (read more)

View photos from the vigils in Tampa, Miami, Palm Beach, Jacksonville and Tallahassee

Ryan's photo from his MySpace page

Brutal Anti-gay Murder in Polk County
Ryan Keith Skipper, a 25-year-old Polk County man was viciously murdered and his body left on the side of a road in what the Sheriff's office is classifying as an anti-gay hate crime. (read more)

Federal Judge Rules Okeechobee, FL Students Can Form Gay-Straight Alliance Club
In a Legal First, Judge Finds GSA Is Not a "Sex-Based" Club; Doesn’t Conflict with Abstinence-Only Education
4/6/07
(OKEECHOBEE) - Equality Florida joins the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today in welcoming a district court decision ordering Okeechobee High School to officially recognize and allow equal access to the Okeechobee High School Gay Straight Alliance. (read more)

Democratic legislators join to seek repeal of ban on gay adoption
By Anthony Man
3/15/07
Thousands of Florida children could have vastly better lives, advocates said Wednesday, if the state repeals its 30-year-old ban on gays adopting. (read article)

Gay adoption push renewed
By STEVE BOUSQUET
3/15/07
Florida's three-decades-old ban on allowing gays to adopt children is under attack once again. (read article)

Florida Families Rally for Gay Adoption Bill
WCTV Eyewitness News
Some Florida families are rallying behind legislation that would lift the state's 30 year ban on gay people adopting children. (read article)

Gay Adoption Bill
Jessica Edwards
A State Senator wants to reverse a Florida law that prohibits gay people from adopting children. Senator Nan Rich calls that law the most anti-gay parenting law in the nation. (read article)

Let homosexuals adopt
Palm Beach Post Editorial
One of the best bills in the Legislature may have the worst chance of becoming law. (read article)

Gays: OHS did not protect us; Former students tell about abuse, threats, harassment
By Lorna Jablonski, Okeechobee News
In the aftermath of Okeechobee County School Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cooper's decision to deny the formation of a school-based Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), and her statement that those students wanting to form the GSA had been offered counseling and protection from harassment, five former Okeechobee High School students have come forward with their stories. (read article)

Gay Adoption Bill Aims to Keep Foster Families Intact
Families Lobby for Legislation that Considers the Child’s Best Interest in Certain Adoption Cases
3/14/07
(Tallahassee) Democratic lawmakers, families and child advocates from across the state today called on the Florida Legislature to pass a bill that would allow children to be adopted by gay foster parents (read more)

Gov. Crist Supports Banning Anti-Gay Harassment on Campus
Fight Brews Over Bullying Bill
3/13/07
(TALLAHASSEE) A fight is brewing at the Capitol again this year over legislation intended to protect students – and teachers – from bullies. At least one Republican lawmaker is accused of lashing out at young people who want the bill to include protections for gay students. But as Victoria Langley tells us, the students appear to be picking up support from one of Florida’s most powerful Republicans. (read more and hear audio)

                        
Florida Students Lobby Lawmakers for Safer Schools
Annual Safe Schools Lobby Day Focuses on Inclusive Anti-Bullying Bill
3/12/07  
(Tallahassee) Students, parents and safe schools advocates from across the state gathered in Tallahassee today calling on legislators to help end the epidemic of bullying in Florida schools by strengthening proposed safe schools legislation. (read more)

UPDATE FROM LARGO
3/6/07
It isn't over yet! Steve Stanton will decide in the next day or two whether to appeal his removal as the Largo City Manager. Steve has worked for Largo for 17 years, 14 of those as the city's manager. The Largo City Commission voted (5-2) February 27th to fire Steve just one week after he announced that he is transgendered and will be completing gender reassignment process in the coming year. (read more)

Shame on Largo!
Tell the Largo City Commission to Reverse Its Decision
2/28/07
In an outrageous act of bigotry, the Largo City Commission voted (5-2) last night to fire City Manager Steve Stanton, a 17-year veteran of the city who has been regularly praised as an excellent manager. Last week, Mr. Stanton announced that he is transgender and will be completing the gender reassignment process in the coming year. (read more)

Oppose Employment Discrimination in Largo
2/26/07
Today, City of Largo Commissioner Mary Black initiated the firing of City Manager Steve Stanton, who recently announced that he is transgender and will be completing the gender reassignment process in the coming year. (read more)

Proposed Constitutional Amendment Would Strip Benefits
Healthcare for Domestic Partners of Public Employees Canceled
2/6/07 (St. Petersburg) Equality Florida today spotlighted a February 1st Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that the state's marriage amendment prohibits public employers, including  Universities, from offering domestic partner benefits. The amendment that passed in Michigan is almost identical to the proposed amendment in Florida. (read more)

Here’s your Equality Florida JANUARY Update to keep you informed about the successes we’ve had and the challenges we face. We also want to share with you the incredible work our statewide volunteers do everyday and how you can become a part of our work if you’re not already involved. (read more)

Hillsborough County Schools Keep Open-Door Policy for Clubs
December 13, 2006
(TAMPA) Students, parents and community leaders today commended the Hillsborough County School Board for rejecting a proposal to turn away students from extra-curricular activities for which they do not have a permission slip. (read more)

100 Ideas!
The next FL Speaker of the House, Rep. Marco Rubio has opened a website for citizens to post their ideas of what they would like to see considered in next years legislature. Go to www.100ideas.org and click on "Your Ideas" on right side of homepage and let him know what you would like to see them address. Some ideas include finally passing the Equal Rights Amendment, Abolishing the Death Penalty, eliminating school vouchers, ending the ban on gay adoption, campaign finance reform, fair redistricting, and more

Read the 2006 Legislative Wrap Up!

BREAKING NEWS: Crist Betrays Voters, Backtracks on Civil Unions
Equality Florida Action Network, Inc
On the eve of the mid-term election, Charlie Crist's campaign has announced that he no longer supports civil unions. Crist's campaign now claims that their candidate was misunderstood and that he only supports private contracts, not government
recognized legal protections such as civil unions and domestic partnerships. (more)

Far Right Seizes NJ Ruling to Rally Florida Anti-Gay Petition Drive
11/1/06
(St. Petersburg) Far right groups in Florida are using the New Jersey Supreme Court decision to protect same-sex couples to spark anti-gay sentiment in Florida. (more)

RACIST, HOMOPHOBIC STATE REP. RALPH ARZA RESIGNS IN SHAME
Long-Time Opponent of Anti-Bullying Bill Forced Out for Bullying Colleague
11/1/06
(MIAMI) Equality Florida and the Florida Safe School Coalition today applauded the Florida Legislature for compelling State Rep. Ralph Arza to resign following his threatening, sexist and racist rant targeting another legislator. (more)

Statement on Anti-Gay Political Flyer
From Nadine Smith, Executive Director
Last week we received copies of a mailer sent out by the GOP on behalf of Rep. Sheri McInvale and approved by the candidate.The mailer featured her Democratic challenger Scott Randolph next to a well-known Orlando drag queen and includes the words "Who will pay for their medical bills" and "Wrong for our families". The flier also described Scott Randolph as someone who "can't talk straight". (more)

As Foley Scandal Grows, Right Wing Tries to Deflect Responsibility
Extremists Begin Predictable Gay Bashing
10/6/06
Statement by Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida -- "While child welfare experts and years of documented research tell us that perpetrators of inappropriate sexual conduct with minors are overwhelmingly heterosexual males, the far-right has begun their predictable assault on gay people in the wake of the Foley scandal. They would have us ignore the fact that the Congressional Page Program has had a sordid past of its own and was nearly ended in the early 1980's due to sexual harassment perpetrated by male members of Congress against female pages." (more)

Polls Show A Growing Majority of Floridians Now Oppose Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
10/5/06
(St. Petersburg) Equality Florida today highlighted the results of a new Miami Herald poll that found a majority of Floridians now oppose the extreme right’s antigay Marriage Amendment. (more)

Gallagher’s Antigay Campaign Fails to Win Support Across State
Candidate’s Dramatic Loss Signals New Era for Florida Politics
9/6/06
(St. Petersburg) Voters rejected anti-gay extremism at the polls Tuesday in a Primary Election that should serve as a caution to those seeking office in November. (more)

Great News!
4/26/06
Yesterday the Florida House of Representatives amended the pending anti-bullying legislation so that our state’s strongest existing safe schools policies will not be repealed. Today the amended bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously: 116-0. (more)

Adoption Coalition Calls on Legislators to Put Well-Being of Children Ahead of Personal Prejudice
(TALLAHASSEE) – In the face of reports that foster children, under the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), were regularly warehoused for days in a conference room in Tallahassee, state legislative leaders have continued to oppose the call from adoption advocates to allow Florida’s gay and lesbian families to adopt foster children. The Coalition for Fair Adoption, a group of local, state and national child advocacy organizations, is urging all state legislators to stop playing political football with the lives of Florida’s foster children and begin considering the best interest of the child as the only criteria in making adoption decisions. (more)

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