Press Releases

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 The bill also removes an outdated and unconstitutional ban on gays and lesbians adopting children.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…

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…

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…

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]

Florida House committee will consider Indiana-style adoption bill Thursday Meanwhile, lawmakers are blocking a bill that would ban LGBT discrimination April 1, 2015 Contact: Carlos Guillermo Smith, Public Policy Specialist, [email protected] Jim Harper, Media/Communications, [email protected]

81% of Floridians are just fine with same-sex marriage New poll comes two months after nuptials began statewide March 26, 2015 Contact: Jim Harper, Media/Communications, 727-388-3636, [email protected] A new poll shows that a vast majority of Floridians are content that same-sex couples can now marry in their state.

A new report from the Equality Means Business coalition found that workplace discrimination against LGBT employees costs Florida employers more than $362 million a year in lost productivity and turnover, making the economic case for statewide nondiscrimination protections.

Adoption agencies receiving taxpayer funds could discriminate as they wish Bill is proposed soon after state House voted to increase payments to private agencies.