Written by: Margie Menzel
The 2014 election wasn't a good one for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
LGBT organizations supported Democrats Charlie Crist for governor and George Sheldon for attorney general, but both lost. So did state Rep. Joe Saunders, D-Orlando, one of the first two openly gay members of the Legislature, elected in 2012.
When the Flagler County School Board unanimously approved bereavement leave for school support personnel in domestic partnerships in July as part of the latest labor negotiations, it was the first time that domestic partnerships that include same-sex unions have been acknowledged in the contract. This opens up questions about why now and what benefits could follow.
A recent article by Cassondra Fredriksen at Stetson University College of Law found that Florida's discriminatory marriage ban denies 508 state-protections to loving same-sex couples. The harm inflicted on couples and families as a result of this ban are felt every day.
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Written by: Steve Rothaus
Panelists this year will be U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston; Rea Carey of the National LGBTQ Task Force; Kevin Cathcart of Lambda Legal; Nadine Smith of Equality Florida; and attorney Paul Smith.
“Based on what has happened this week, it should be an interesting discussion,” said Our Fund CEO/President Anthony Timiraos, referring to Tuesday’s election. Here’s the complete news release, with biographies of the 2014 speakers:
Written by: Dan Avery
Even as we applaud the growing number of states embracing marriage equality, there are couples for whom it comes to late: Equality Florida has shared the tragic story of Liz Molina, who passed away this week before Florida lifted its ban on same-sex marriage and before she could be recognized as a wife and mother.
Liz, 35, succumbed to cervical cancer on Monday, just days before before her partner Joan Rodriguez is due to give birth to their son, Liam.
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Judge Hinkle has denied requests to both immediately lift and extend the stay on his marriage ruling. According to his order, the stay will expire on the original date of January 5th and will only be extended if by action of the 11th Circuit. He will not lift the stay earlier.
We won’t sugarcoat this. Last night’s elections were very disappointing. We lost some pro-equality heroes in heartbreakingly close contests.
But as we continue to work for full equality, it is important to keep the election in perspective. Basically, we are where we were before the first votes were cast.
Written by: Katie Jones