This year has been a game changer. Plain and Simple.

Orlando Tops List of Pro-Equality Cities in Florida.
New National Report Ranks LGBT Legal Protections.

WASHINGTON-- Orlando, Miami and Tampa are ranked as the top three cities for protecting the rights of gay and transgender Floridians while Jacksonville comes in a distant last, according to a new national report card issued this week. 

By now we all know that every one of our votes is going to matter next Tuesday.  But do you have the information to make sure you get to vote?  Regular Equality Florida volunteer, Terry Lowman provided the ACLU website, Know Your Rights as a great guide for information on polling places, required ID, your voter registration status, early voting etc.

Tonight by a vote of 17 to 2, the Jacksonville City Council voted to reject bill 2012-296 - a fully-inclusive measure that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s Human Rights Ordinance (HRO).

Tonight voters elected our first out gay state legislator in Florida's history! David Richardson was elected to the Florida House in District 113, representing Miami Beach. No Republicans entered the race so David's victory in the Democratic primary and edged out three opponents to claim the seat.

Orange County voters delivered a victory for Joe Saunders in the House District 49 race. Joe is one giant step closer to becoming the first out gay person ever elected to state office. We're still anxiously awaiting results for David Richardson...stay tuned.

Check out Joe's entrance to his victory party

One hour before the polls close, Team Joe has left no door unknocked and no phone unrung. Joe sends a personal shout out to the EQFL volunteers, donors, and supporters who have been with him the whole way.

After provoking a national backlash with her comments about black lesbians, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll has refused to apologize. Her silence has prompted a national petition drive launched today to keep the pressure on.