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Written by: Amber Paoloemilio Civic Engagement Coordinator *Amber is currently located in Jacksonville*

Meet the Interns: Kaitlyn Christiansen (Orlando Office) 1. Tell us a little about yourself...

Florida Experts Debunk The Transgender “Bathroom Predator” Myth

The 2016 legislative session is shaping up to be critical for Florida’s LGBT community. With the 60-day session officially kicking off January 12th 2016, lawmakers are already filing bills that would have good and bad outcomes for our community. That’s why we need you to join us on the front lines in Tallahassee on January 25th and 26th for Equality Florida’s Annual Lobby Days! Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of legislation we are already seeing this year: THE GOOD:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 11th, 2016 CONTACT: Carlos Guillermo Smith / [email protected]   Equality Florida Applauds Sobel & Jenne for Domestic Partnership Bills Statewide Domestic Partner Registry offers basic protections for all families ​even after marriage equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: NCLR: Erik Olvera | [email protected] EQFL: Jim Harper | [email protected] Same-Sex Couples Ask Federal Court to Order Florida State Officials to Treat Them Equally and List Both Parents on their Children’s Birth Certificates

MEDIA ADVISORY TransAction Florida Hosts Statewide Transgender Media & Messaging Training in Orlando As momentum for transgender equality continues to grow in Florida and across the nation, TransAction Florida is hosting a ground-breaking media and messaging training focused on effectively discussing transgender issues with the media. The training will be conducted by national media communications trainers, The Franklin Forum.

Equality Means Business Written By: Mike Reedy, Business Outreach Manager

Transgender Day of Remembrance and Visibility Written By: Gina Duncan, Transgender Inclusion Director

Older LGBT people face challenges that others do not Town meetings will discuss needed changes in aging policies and services

Making the case for equality Florida’s leading business magazine features transgender woman Gina Duncan

Lawyer who helped win marriage equality will be honored in Sarasota Mary Bonauto will join Michael Donald Edwards at Equality Florida’s annual celebration Mary Bonauto, the lawyer who successfully argued for marriage equality at the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, will come to Sarasota later this month to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from Equality Florida at its annual Suncoast Celebration.

Today is Election Day! Every vote will make a difference, so it is important pro-equality supporters like you get out to vote today. Equality Florida Action PAC has endorsed pro-equality candidates in Miami Beach, Orlando, and St. Petersburg! Be sure to check them out before heading to the ballot box! GO VOTE!

Leadership For a Changing America - 21st Century Policing LGBT Employees in Public Safety and LGBT Community Partnerships

An Equality Florida member told us last week that his health insurer had denied coverage for an HIV medication he has taken for several years. He ultimately did get his meds, but he worried that the hurdles he faced might signal an effort by the insurance company to encourage HIV-positive clients to find another carrier. We reached out to Florida Blue and the company acknowledged and apologized for a technical glitch that had affected 89 policyholders. It also issued this statement clarifying their policy.  

This bill would allow people to opt out of anti-discrimination laws Extends beyond churches to individuals, businesses and others  

Orange County ends domestic partnership benefits Here's why we think that's a mistake ​

In honor of Spirit Day, millions of people across the nation have gone purple today to show their support for LGBTQ youth and take a stand against bullying. Statistically, we know LGBTQ youth face much higher rates of bullying and harassment in schools, and examples of such discrimination in Florida are often reported to Equality Florida.