Blog

Equality Florida stands today in mourning and in outrage at the murders of nine people inside their historic African-American church on Wednesday evening. It is a hate crime that has shocked the nation and claimed the lives of six women and three men, including State Senator Clementa Pinckney. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and the entire community reeling from this brutal act of terror.

Equality Florida's Black Lives Matter Statement Today is the 48th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Loving v. Virginia decision that ended the ban on interracial marriages nationwide. It is a case invoked often in the arguments in favor of marriage equality.

Equality Florida replenishes its governing board Attorney Jon Harris Maurer appointed; B. Rodney White promoted; Jim VanRiper departs. June 8, 2015 Non-profit leadership consultants often say that one of the most important duties of a board member is to find his or her own replacement.

New television ad demonstrates the growing support for marriage equality Equality Florida and Freedom to Marry produced it to air ahead of Supreme Court ruling June 3, 2015 ​PANAMA CITY, Fla. – With the Supreme Court expected to rule on marriage by the end of this month, Equality Florida and Freedom to Marry today released a second television ad demonstrating the broad base of support for marriage equality.

Equality Florida hires Cindy Brown, a celebrated LGBT leader in Miami-Dade She’ll be the LGBT advocacy group’s local development officer May 28, 2015 Cindy Brown, a widely admired leader in Miami-Dade’s LGBT community and beyond, has joined the staff of Equality Florida as it’s new Miami-Dade development officer.

Historic voter mobilization secures Pro-Equality Majority on Jacksonville City Council Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida rally more than 100,000 voters [Jacksonville] -- An historic mobilization of pro-equality voters in today’s run-off elections means a majority of the Jacksonville City Council are now on record in support of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination law.

A Florida mother’s dying wish for her gay son Marie Bristol wants to meet with the governor; On Mother’s Day, Equality Florida will help with a social media campaign

Our 2015 Florida Legislative Scorecard Equality Florida celebrates the defeat of two bills and the passage of another As this year’s regular legislative session draws to a close, Equality Florida is thankful that two anti-LGBT measures did not pass; and that one very good bill for all Floridians is on its way to the governor. With telephone calls, emails and personal testimony, Equality Florida members and supporters worked hard to defeat two discriminatory bills.

Supporters of Freedom to Marry Launch Ad Showing Strong Support in Florida Equality Florida and Freedom to Marry join to produce the ad, which will begin airing this week

Todd and Jeffrey Delmay, a pioneering Florida gay couple, go to Washington They crossed the threshold; let couples nationwide do the same, they say

Sumter County Clerk Honored to Perform Weddings

Republican support for the freedom to marry continues to grow People from across the state join Equality Florida’s social media campaign

Senate leaders derail controversial adoption proposal Letting tax-funded agencies discriminate on religious grounds raised too many questions April 20, 2015 Florida Senate leaders decided Monday not to vote on a controversial proposal that would allow taxpayer-supported adoption agencies to use religious or personal beliefs to discriminate against prospective parents.

Adoption experts urge Florida Senate to reject discriminatory adoption bill Fewer children will be adopted if bias replaces the best interest of each child April 17, 2015 Contact: Jim Harper, Media/Communications, [email protected]

In a bipartisan vote, the Florida Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill designed to help more foster children find permanent homes. The bill also removes an outdated and unconstitutional ban on gays and lesbians adopting children. Former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin, spoke eloquently in urging his colleagues not to be swayed by objections that the measure might go against the religious principles of some private, taxpayer-supported adoption agencies.

Florida House votes for discrimination Adoption bill is unlikely to become law, but it still hurts Florida's reputation In an ugly symbolic move, the Florida House on Thursday approved an Indiana-style discrimination bill that gives taxpayer-funded adoption agencies a “license to discriminate” against gay and lesbian couples looking to adopt.

Former Senate President Rallies Lawmakers, Blocks Discriminatory Amendment Vote follows fiery debate as Indiana-style measure moved forward in House

Florida Anti-LGBT Adoption Bill Enabling Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination Is Dangerously Close To Passing The discriminatory bill puts anti-LGBT bias above best interest of children Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) called on lawmakers today to abandon an anti-LGBT bill that will enable discrimination -- with taxpayer dollars -- against prospective LGBT foster and adoptive parents, and place children seeking a permanent home at continued risk.

Civic activist Jim VanRiper to be honored at annual Tallahassee Gala Equality Florida’s event will bring together leaders in politics, business and the community A need to protect his family brought Jim VanRiper into gay activism. He hasn’t stopped since. Since moving to Tallahassee in 2003, VanRiper has been a leader in almost every aspect of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Shameful Indiana-Style Bill Passed by Florida House Committee Would Delay Adoption For Many Vulnerable Children April 2, 2015 Contact: Carlos Guillermo Smith, Public Policy Specialist, [email protected] Jim Harper, Media/Communications, [email protected] ​