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Written By: Steph Fuenmayor, New Media Communications Intern Gainesville Pride: Footsteps Toward Equality The sun was shinning, the weather was great, and the people at Gainesville Pride want Marriage Equality on its way. Prior to Saturday, I had never attended a Pride before. 

THANK YOU, SENATOR NELSON!  Last night, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) signed on as a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), moving the legislation one step closer to passage in the Senate. ENDA is the federal bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity against employees by employers with 15 or more employees.  

NEWS RELEASE TWITTERBOMB SEN. NELSON: OCTOBER 17 @3 PM  

October 11, 2013  

Contact: Michael Farmer  Equality Florida  Statewide Field Director  

Love Conquers All: Brian Walsh's Story Written by: Brian Walsh (Jacksonville)

TransEquality Faith Rally Join Equality Florida this Sunday, September 15th at 2PM as SAVE Dade and communities of faith rally at the Torch of Friendship in Bayfront Park in support of an all-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance that works to end discrimination in Miami-Dade County. Click here to RSVP. WHEN: September 15, 2013 at 2pm - 4pm WHERE: Torch of Friendship 301 N Biscayne Blvd

NEWS RELEASE

Equality Florida to the City of St. Petersburg, FL: Suspend Ties with Sister City  

TODAY: The U.S. Senate Committee Will Discuss ENDA At 10AM

UPDATE: The Tele-Town Hall has been scheduled for Monday, July 1st at 7:00pm.  Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has issued its opinions on DOMA and Prop 8, many Floridians are asking, “What does this mean for LGBT rights here in Florida?”

DOMA is Dead. The fight in Florida is Alive!

STATEMENT FROM NADINE SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUALITY FLORIDA

Guest Blogger: Mary Frances Love Equality Florida Member, Naples & Volunteer Copyright Attorney

Breaking News On The Supreme Court Decisions Here: OPINION #1 - DOMA has been struck down. DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment. 5-4 per Kennedy. A link to the opinion: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-307_g2bh.pdf News Links for DOMA case: 1. "Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Defense of Marriage Act" - ABC NEWS - http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-rules-gay-marriage-cases/s… 2. "Supreme Court DOMA Decision Rules Federal Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional" - HUFFINGTON POST - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/supreme-court-doma-decision_n_… OPINION #2 - SCOTUS dismisses Proposition 8 case.  (5-4 per Chief Roberts) MARRIAGE EQUALITY TO RETURN TO CALIFORNIA The petitioners did not have standing to appeal the district court order. The decision of the Ninth Circuit is vacated and remanded.  The Ninth Circuit was without jurisdiciton to consider the appeal. The judgment of the Ninth Circuit is vacated, and the case is remanded with instructions to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. A link to the opinion: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-144_8ok0.pdf News Links for Prop 8. 1. "Supreme Court strikes down part of DOMA, dismisses Prop. 8 appeal" - CNN (Blog) - http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/26/supreme-court/?hpt=hp_t1 2. "Prop. 8: Supreme Court clears way for gay marriage in California" - (LA Times) - http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-prop-8-supreme-court-ruling-… 3. "Supreme Court Rules On Prop 8, Lets Gay Marriage Resume In California" - Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/supreme-court-prop-8_n_3434854…

Rubio on Immigration Reform:  

Family Says Son Sent Home for Wearing Makeup; Prompts National Protest   A Pinellas County family who say their son was sent home for wearing makeup has launched a nationwide petition calling on the district to change their policies and better training on diversity.

Twins Of Two Gay Moms Provide Proof That Children Of Same-Sex Parents Are Thriving This week's issue of Conch Color, a weekly Florida Keys publication, featured two twin girls who made history by earning the title's of Valedictorian and Salutatorian at Key West High School. Liz and Erin Czerwinski clearly deserved such honors seeing that both young ladies had GPA's over 4.7.