LGBTQ lawmakers, advocates see tide reversing on culture wars, but remain ready to fight

Equality Florida. Image via Anna Eskamani Bluesky.

LGBTQ lawmakers are celebrating at least a temporary defeat of two bills seen by critics as furthering assaults on gender and sexual minorities.

At an Equality Florida press conference, advocates for LGBTQ Floridians said they see fewer direct attacks on rights this Session.

“We see it as a hopeful sign that far fewer bills specifically targeting the LGBTQ community have been filed this year,” said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director of Equality Florida. “Maybe, just maybe, more legislators are growing tired of the cruelty, the distractions and the endless culture wars pushed by these extremists.”

The tabling of legislation critics maligned as the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work” bill (SB 440) and the “Banning Diversity and Equity in State Agencies” bill (SB 1694) at the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee further bolstered the sentiment. Upward of 1,000 public comment cards were submitted at the meeting, which coincided with Pride Days at the Capitol.

Importantly, Senate President Ben Albritton’s Office stressed that the fact the bills were not heard at a Tuesday hearing does not mean the bills are dead. The committee can take the bills up at a later date.

Florida Politics reached out to Sens. Stan McClain and Randy Fine, the respective sponsors of SB 440 and 1694, about whether they intend to pursue the policies. Fine said he expects his bill to come up again before the committee as soon as next week.

But Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat and a gay man, noted that both bills are marked on the Senate website now as “Not Considered.” The same goes for a bill restricting union negotiation power (SB 1328) also tabled from the agenda.

Smith at the press conference suggested Florida’s LGBTQ activists had laid a roadmap of how to get through difficult losses in the Legislature in recent years. That notably included his own political loss of a House seat in 2022, only to win a Senate seat in 2024.

“I did not give up,” he said. “We did not give up. We organized. And when we organize, we win.”

While he joined in the revelatory atmosphere of the conference, he said a tiring of LGBTQ attacks by Republicans may be temporary.

“We were told that the culture wars were done. We were told that the divisive attacks on diversity and on LGBTQ people and people of color were finished,” Smith said.

“Folks, we’ve been lied to, because several bills that perpetuate these divisive culture wars that do nothing to lower costs on Floridians, that do nothing to solve real problems, and that do nothing to improve the lives of hardworking people in this state are being heard in committees in the Florida House and Senate.”

Similarly, Rep. Michele Rayner, a St. Petersburg Democrat who also identifies as LGBTQ, noted that the anti-transgender tenor in President Donald Trump’s policies could echo down and impact Florida.

“In fact, we know that Florida has been the test ground for what’s happening in D.C.,” Rayner said. “So it is more incumbent upon you all now to be here and to make sure that you are showing up and that you are being unshakable and unmovable.”

Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, acknowledged recent setbacks, including some nationally prominent Democrats backing off of defending transgender rights. She said not to expect that from Florida Democrats.

“We are not going to shy away and be scared to champion these issues,” she said. “I have been incredibly disappointed by some Democrats across the country turn their backs on some of the most vulnerable community members. Let me tell you, in this state Capitol, we are not turning our backs.”

Meanwhile, one Equality Florida advocate hinted at possibly contributing to the ranks of LGBTQ lawmakers in Tallahassee. Angelique Godwin, Director of Transgender Equality for Equality Florida, discussed the need to see transgender politicians elected in Florida.

“I think I like being in the capital. I honestly do want to be here, because I look really good every time,” she said.

She stressed that moves by Florida government that refuse to acknowledge the existence of trans people don’t change the fact they will continue to live in the state.

“No matter if you see it or you feel it, knowing something exists doesn’t change because you write a law or a bill. Knowing something exists doesn’t change because you choose to ignore it,” she said.