Press Releases

Press Release ∙
Equality Florida Statement on Governor DeSantis Signing ADAP Emergency Funding (Release)
Equality Florida Statement on Governor DeSantis Signing ADAP Emergency Funding Tallahassee, FL — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that includes emergency stopgap funding to restore access to HIV medications for more than 10,000 Floridians through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), effective immediately.
Statewide
Press Release ∙
Florida Passes Sweeping, Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Advocates say the fight is far from over, vowing to challenge the law in courts and continue working with local leaders to protect LGBTQ visibility and inclusion.
Statewide
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida Attends D.C. People’s State of the Union, Raising the Alarm on the Slate of Anti-LGBTQ Bills in Florida
Equality Florida's Jennifer Solomon attended the D.C. People's State of the Union with members of Congress to warn the nation about Florida's slate of anti-LGBTQ bills targeting parents, educators, healthcare providers, and local governments.
Equality Florida LGBTQ
Press Release ∙
As DeSantis’ Censorship Agenda Escalates, Lawmakers Poised to Advance Sweeping Anti-DEI Bill and Two Additional Anti-LGBTQ Proposals
Equality Florida warned that Florida lawmakers were advancing the sweeping 'Anti-Diversity in Local Government' bill (HB 1001/SB 1134), which would bar cities from sponsoring Pride and recognizing Black History Month, alongside the 'Don't Say Gay or Trans at Work' and 'More Lawsuits for Teachers and Doctors' bills.
LGBTQ
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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
Press Release ∙
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.
Press Release ∙
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.
Press Release ∙
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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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.
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida Awarded $22,000 Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to Expand LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Services
Equality Florida received a $22,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to expand LGBTQ youth mental health services, funding a new cohort of practitioners trained in AFFIRM Youth, an evidence-based intervention serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.
Equality Florida LGBTQ LGBTQ Youth