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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2019 Media Contact: Brandon Wolf, Equality Florida Media Relations Manager [email protected] ; 971-678-5707   Equality Florida Condemns FL Representative Mike Hill’s Homophobic Remarks

GAINESVILLE, FL -

  Advocacy groups and organizations affiliated with homeless facilities denounce the Trump Administration’s proposed rollback of homeless shelter rights and protections for the transgender community and stand together in support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Equal Access Rule.

 

 

Tremendous Strides Made and Enduring Challenges Remain for our LGBTQ Community in the 2019 Legislative Session By Joe Saunders, Equality Florida Senior Political Director

TAMPA, Fla — Today, Equality Florida Action PAC’s spotlight candidate of 2019 made LGBTQ history today as Tampa’s first LGBTQ mayor. Former Tampa Police Chief and LGBTQ trailblazer Jane Castor finished the night with over 70% of the vote, defeating a self-funded millionaire who spent millions of dollars on attack ads and an aggressive smear campaign.

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Today the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review three cases regarding whether federal nondiscrimination law applies to LGBTQ people. Numerous cases have held that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity is sex discrimination and violates federal law. With these cases, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC & Aimee Stephens, Bostock v. Clayton County, and Altitude Express, Inc. v.

As a Safe & Healthy Schools team member with Equality Florida, I usually spend the majority of my time in schools, with administrators and teachers, and with students and their families.

As I raced through the crowded halls of the Florida Capitol building, attempting to find the office of a senator from South Florida, bewilderment crept over me. What was I doing here?

Major Implications for Florida Conversion Therapy Cases Pending Review

Lobbying is a crucial piece of political activism that often goes undiscussed and unrecognized.

More than 70 Legislators Back Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations Protections for Florida LGBTQ Residents and Visitors Tallahassee, Fla. –– This week the Florida Competitive Workforce Act cleared a historic milestone of support with the bipartisan cosponsorship of 73 legislators, the highest level of support for LGBTQ protections in state history. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Florida’s Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

  As an intern for the HIV Advocacy Project with Equality Florida, I had the opportunity to experience advocacy and public health on a new level.

(Written By: Gina Duncan, Equality Florida's Director of Transgender Equality)  

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, Equality Florida Action PAC and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced both organizations are backing Jane Castor in the runoff election for mayor of Tampa, Florida. If elected, Castor will make history as the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor.

In my first year as a staff member at Equality Florida, I heard over and over what a transformative experience Lobby Days is.

1,300 Businesses Across Florida Declare They Are “Open to All” Businesses Large and Small Across the Sunshine State Join National Campaign and Publicly Commit to Serving Everyone on Equal Terms

A bill that threatens to repeal every local LGBTQ inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance and conversion therapy ban in Florida was heard on March 14 in the second of three committee stops before a final vote in the House. The bad news: The bill is moving forward with an amendment that falls short of eliminating the threat.

A sweeping preemption measure would repeal local protections for 13 million Floridians, sparking economic backlash