Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

Charles Van Zant, the Clay County school district’s superintendent, sounded a note of defiance this week in response to the Barack Obama administration linking Title IX funding with permitting transgender students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. “This directive from the Obama administration does not carry the force of law, and you can […]

Mitch PerryMay 9, 2016

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Six different advocacy groups are pushing back on the Marion County School Board, two weeks after the group passed a measure that would restrict students’ access to school bathrooms based on their birth sex, not gender identity. “The Marion County School Board’s hasty passage of a discriminatory policy prohibiting schools from treating transgender students equally is […]

Drew WilsonApril 21, 2016

The political committee for LGBT rights organization Equality Florida announced Thursday it is endorsing Democrat Andrew Korge in the Senate District 39 race. “This a race where the contrast is crystal clear,” Equality Florida Action PAC Chair Stratton Pollitzer said. “For 10 years Anitere Flores has opposed LGBT equality at every turn and she has […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2016

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After the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, more than 20 state legislatures reacted by passing religious freedom laws to protect clergy. This month, Florida became the latest state to do so after Gov. Rick Scott signed the Pastor Protection Act. The new law shields religious entities […]

Melissa RossMarch 7, 2016

Activists fighting the decades-long struggle for LGBT equality in America have long been skilled at the long game. From the 1969 Stonewall riots to the 2015 nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, this is a patient movement, one that has nudged the culture inexorably over a half-century toward greater acceptance and inclusion. To that end, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality […]

Staff ReportsMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House voted 82-37 to approve an amended version of a bill (HB 43) that protects clergy members and pastors who refuse to perform gay marriage. The bill was amended Tuesday and some gay rights organizations have dropped their opposition to it. Carlos Guillermo Smith, governmental affairs manager for Equality Florida, said in a […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida House passed a wide sweeping economic incentives package (HB 1325) on Wednesday. The proposal includes the framework for Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. Chris Hudson, state director for Americans for Prosperity-Florida, said in a statement: “I want to start by commending the members of the Florida House that stood […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

In the wake of last year’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, Republicans in the Florida Legislature this year are backing a “Pastor Protection Act.” The bill would prevent clergy members from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies contrary to their principles. On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee voted on a straight, 7-3 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2016

A motion to reconsider a contentious bill banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people failed in a Senate panel Tuesday, signaling its virtual demise for the 2016 Legislative Session. On a voice vote, the Judiciary Committee deadlocked again on a procedural move to bring the bill (SB 120) back, one day after the bill died on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

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A bill that would ban discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has one more chance of passage. The Senate judiciary committee on Monday temporarily postponed the measure (SB 120). The measure, which prohibits gender- and sexuality-based workforce discrimination, will be taken up again Tuesday. Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, said in […]

Tag: Equality Florida
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

Equality Florida to mobilize against Clay County school district bathroom policy

Six advocacy groups call on Marion County School Board to reverse controversial ‘bathroom bill’

Equality Florida endorses Andrew Korge in SD 39 race

Florida’s Pastor Protection Act doesn’t go as far as Georgia’s — and that’s a good thing for NFL fans

Jax Coalition for Equality keeps up the HRO pressure

Capitol Reax: “Pastor Protection” act, Miami-Dade Infectious Disease Elimination Act

Capitol Reax: Economic incentives, insurance, fracking, Israel and judicial term limits

Contentious “Pastor Protection Act” now moves to Senate floor

Dead again: Senators kill anti-LGBT discrimination bill

Capitol Reax: Changes to municipal elections, LGBT discrimination bans