Press Releases

Press Release ∙
LGBTQ Groups Blast Governor DeSantis for Stripping ALL funding for LGBTQ Programs from State Budget
Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed all LGBTQ-specific programming from Florida's state budget, including mental health funding for Pulse massacre survivors and housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, prompting LGBTQ groups to accuse him of declaring war on the community during Pride Month.
Press Release ∙
Florida Legislators Broker Backroom Deal to Ban Trans Children from Sports
Equality Florida condemned a backroom deal in which Florida House Republican leaders filed an amendment to an unrelated charter schools bill (SB 1028) to resurrect a ban on transgender children playing sports after the standalone bill stalled in the Senate.
Press Release ∙
Florida Sports Organizations Join Growing Opposition To Anti-Trans Youth Sports Ban
The Miami Heat and esports company Misfits Gaming Group joined the NCAA, the National Women's Soccer League, and women's sports legends in opposing Florida legislation that would ban transgender children from school sports.
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida To Honor Commissioner Monica Cepero with Voice for Equality Award At Statewide Virtual Event
Equality Florida will honor Florida Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Monica Cepero with a Voice for Equality Award at its statewide virtual event on May 23, recognizing her role in the agency's affirmation of LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.
Press Release ∙
The City of Orlando Raises Transgender Pride Flag In Honor of The International Transgender Day of Visibility
Equality Florida joined the City of Orlando in celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility as the city raised the transgender pride flag at City Hall for the first time, issued a proclamation, and lit the Lake Eola Fountain in trans colors.
Press Release ∙
FL Legislature Risks Losing NCAA Events By Fast Tracking Trans Sports Bans
Equality Florida warned that fast-tracked bills banning transgender youth from school sports could cost Florida 50 scheduled NCAA championship events worth over $75 million, citing the NCAA's stance and North Carolina's losses after its bathroom bill.
Press Release ∙
Professor Cited in Defense of Trans Sports Ban Bill Urges Defeat of HB 1475
Duke University law professor Doriane Coleman, whose research is cited to justify Florida's transgender sports ban bill HB 1475, joined transgender runner Juniper Eastwood in urging legislators to defeat the bill as unconstitutional discrimination.
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida and Allies Call for an End to Attacks on Trans Kids
Equality Florida and allies condemned Florida legislation (HB 1475, HB 935, SB 2012) that would bar transgender youth from school sports and criminalize doctors who provide gender-affirming care, calling it a nationally coordinated attack on at-risk youth.
Press Release ∙
All Eyes on Rubio & Scott as House Passes the Equality Act
After the U.S. House passed the Equality Act, Equality Florida called on Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to support the comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights bill as it heads to the Senate.
Press Release ∙
Equality Florida Calls For Swift Passage of The Equality Act
Equality Florida applauded the reintroduction of the federal Equality Act, HR 5, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and called for its swift passage.