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A message from our new Executive Director, Stratton Pollitzer.
Stratton Pollitzer, who co-founded Equality Florida with Nadine Smith in 1997, introduced himself as the organization's new Executive Director, pledging to continue its legacy of resistance and victories amid escalating attacks.
Equality Florida
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Resistance Report Week 2: From Minneapolis to Tallahassee — How You Can Resist.
Equality Florida's Week 2 Resistance Report opened in solidarity with Minnesotans protesting ICE after agents killed nurse Alex Pretti, then recapped Pride at the Capitol activities, a Parenting with Pride press conference, and mobilization against the 'More Lawsuits for Teachers and Doctors' bills.
Report Resistance Report
Press Release ∙
Parents Call Out DeSantis and Lawmakers for Cruel Attacks on LGBTQ Children and Families
Parents, families, and advocates gathered at the Florida Capitol with Equality Florida to condemn anti-LGBTQ legislation including the 'More Lawsuits for Teachers and Doctors' bill, as the organization highlighted its Parenting with Pride program now serving nearly 4,000 families.
LGBTQ
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Resistance Report Week 1: Lives Are At Risk — Help Us Fight Back
In its first weekly Resistance Report of the 2026 legislative session, Equality Florida warned of extremist bills targeting LGBTQ Floridians and spotlighted the Florida Department of Health's planned March 1 cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, demanding transparency and accountability.
Report Resistance Report
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2026 Legislative Slate
Equality Florida's 2026 Legislative Slate tracks anti-LGBTQ bills it opposed, including the Pride Flag Ban, 'Don't Say Gay or Trans at Work,' and 'More Lawsuits for Teachers & Doctors' bills, all stopped, plus supported measures like the Marriage Ban Repeal and a Johns Committee apology resolution.
Research
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Legislation Filed to Restore Freedom in Education, Healthcare
Florida lawmakers filed the 'Health Care Freedom Act' and 'Freedom to Learn Act' to roll back DeSantis-era policies, including the six-week abortion ban, restrictions on transgender care, the Stop WOKE Act, and 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' provisions.
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Event Hosted by Robert Wennett & Mario Cader-Frech Raises $500,000 to Launch HIV Awareness Initiative
Philanthropists Robert Wennett and Mario Cader-Frech hosted a Miami Beach gathering on World AIDS Day that raised $500,000 to launch Equality Florida's new HIV Awareness Initiative, aimed at educating Floridians about advances in HIV prevention, treatment, and combating stigma.
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Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith to Step Down After 28 Years to Lead Color Of Change
Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith is stepping down after 28 years to become President and CEO of Color Of Change in January 2026, with co-founder and Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer named as the incoming CEO and Executive Director.
Equality Florida Nadine Smith
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Extremist Florida Lawmakers File Pride Flag Ban Bill Ahead of 2026 Legislative Session
Florida Representative David Borrero and Senator Clay Yarborough filed the first anti-LGBTQ bill of the 2026 session, a Pride Flag Ban (HB 347/SB 426) barring government buildings from displaying flags representing race, gender, or sexual orientation while protecting 'historical' flags including Confederate symbols.
Press Release ∙
Dogged by Scandal, Desperate DeSantis Uses DOGE List to Distract From $83 Million Crony Deal, $10 Million Charity Scandal, and $300 Million Detention Crisis
Equality Florida's Nadine Smith accused DeSantis of using a 'DOGE list' attacking city Pride sponsorships as wasteful spending to distract from his own scandals, including an $83 million land deal, the Hope Florida charity investigation, and the failed 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention camp.