Press Releases

Press Release ∙
Openly-LGBTQ Candidates Score Wins on Primary Election Night
Openly-LGBTQ Florida candidates won primary races, including State Representative Michele Rayner and State Senator Shevrin Jones, while Equality Florida Action PAC-endorsed school board candidates outperformed those backed by DeSantis and Moms for Liberty.
LGBTQ Voting
Press Release ∙
Agency for Health Care Administration Strips Care From 9,000+ Transgender Floridians
A Florida Agency for Health Care Administration rule stripping Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care took effect, ending coverage for more than 9,000 transgender Floridians; Equality Florida called it part of a broader DeSantis-driven assault on transgender health care.
Transgender
Press Release ∙
‘Don’t Say LGBTQ’ Law, Already Harming Students, Goes Into Effect
Florida's 'Don't Say LGBTQ' law (HB 1557) took effect, banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 and restricting it in higher grades; Equality Florida said it has received over 50 censorship complaints since the bill was signed.
LGBTQ
Press Release ∙
New OUT Leadership Report Shows Anti-LGBTQ Laws Making Florida Less Welcoming for Businesses
A new OUT Leadership report found Florida's LGBTQ+ business climate ranking dropped sharply to 31st nationally, a decline Equality Florida and the report attribute directly to anti-LGBTQ legislation including the 'Don't Say Gay' law.
LGBTQ
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith Named to TIME100
TIME named Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith to its 2022 TIME100 list of the world's most influential people, recognizing decades of LGBTQ advocacy as Florida became a center of the fight against anti-LGBTQ legislation.
Equality Florida Nadine Smith
Press Release ∙
Florida Senate Rejects Reasonable Amendments to “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Full Vote Looms
The Florida Senate rejected amendments aimed at mitigating the harm of the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, setting up a final vote; Equality Florida said it is prepared to join legal action against the state if the bill harms any child, teacher, or family.
LGBTQ Voting
Press Release ∙
24 local chambers of commerce join H&M, J. Crew, Lush Fresh Homemade Cosmetics, Ben & Jerry’s and others to oppose HB7/SB148, the so-called Stop WOKE Act
Twenty-four local chambers of commerce joined companies including H&M, J. Crew, and Ben & Jerry's in opposing HB 7/SB 148, the 'Stop WOKE Act,' warning the bill would invite frivolous lawsuits over workplace diversity trainings and harm Florida's business climate.
Press Release ∙
Marriott, Hilton, American Airlines and AirBnb Join 150+ Major U.S. Companies To Oppose Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in Florida
Marriott, Hilton, American Airlines, and AirBnB joined more than 150 major U.S. companies opposing anti-LGBTQ legislation in Florida and nationwide, including the state's 'Don't Say Gay' bill and 'Stop WOKE Act,' citing harm to recruitment and families.
LGBTQ
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida BLASTS DeSantis with New Television Ads To Fight LGBTQ Censorship and Surveillance Agenda
Equality Florida launched a second cable television ad targeting the 'Stop WOKE Act' and 'Don't Say Gay' bill, depicting school life under DeSantis-era censorship; the ads ran on MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News in the Tallahassee market.
Equality Florida LGBTQ
Press Release ∙
DeSantis Administration Escalates Attacks on LGBTQ Youth, Censors Anti-Bullying Resources
The DeSantis administration removed a Florida Department of Education web page that provided anti-bullying resources for educators, parents, and students, including materials aimed at supporting LGBTQ youth; Equality Florida demanded the resources be reinstated.
Anti-bullying LGBTQ LGBTQ Youth