Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2015

The group supporting a change to the state’s anti-discrimination law on Tuesday released a new poll showing 68 percent of Florida voters support their effort. Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce is pushing a bill (HB 45/SB 120) to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the current prohibitions against employment, retail and other discrimination in the state’s Civil Rights Act. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 21, 2015

A seemingly unlikely coalition of progressive groups, conservative organizations and businesses now have coalesced to support an anti-discrimination bill that historically hasn’t found traction in the Legislature. The bill (HB 45/SB 120), known as the “Florida Competitive Workforce Act,” aims to prohibit employment, retail and other discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, amending the state’s […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

Earlier Monday, we discussed Anna Brosche’s decision not to participate in the Equality Florida gala Sept. 26. Is there a rift between the Jacksonville councilwoman and the group? According to Stratton Pollitzer of the Equality Florida Action PAC, not so much. “Here’s a little more context from us. Anna’s staff let us know that she was extremely […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

During her campaign for Jacksonville’s City Council, Republican Anna Brosche represented what many moderates and liberals thought was a new type of Republican. Her enthusiasm for expanding the Human Rights Ordinance to the LGBT community delighted many Democrats who were appalled by the atavistic position taken by then-incumbent Kim Daniels, who described the HRO as a “very […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

120607_DX_SAME_SEX_COUPLE_CHILD.jpg.CROP_.rectangle3-large-1024x1024.jpg

Although same-sex marriage has been legal since the first week of 2015, a new lawsuit contends the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics refuses to allow hospitals to list both same-sex parents on their baby’s birth certificate. Three married same-sex couples, including one based in St. Petersburg, and the LGBT activist group Equality Florida have filed […]

Frank TorresJuly 31, 2015

Equality Florida, a civil rights organization dedicated to securing equality for Florida’s LGBT community, has endorsed Carlos Guillermo Smith in the race for Florida House District 49. Smith worked for Equality Florida’s public policy team during this year’s Regular Session. In a message to supporters Equality Florida said, “In 2016, we’ll have a chance to […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 31, 2015

11201182_660481747422486_2446576573855531870_n-1024x1024.jpg

In a conference room in the suite of offices for Jacksonville’s City Council members, there is a distinctive picture of President Andrew Jackson that I had seen many times, yet I didn’t know any background about until I interviewed Councilman Tommy Hazouri on Friday. Hazouri casually remarked that he had been interning for former Jacksonville mayor Lou Ritter […]

Melissa RossJune 29, 2015

With reaction continuing to pour in after the Friday Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Jacksonville LGBT activists say they’re ready to take another crack at updating the city’s human rights ordinance. “We’re trying again,” says Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette, who chairs the Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC, and thinks the climate is now a […]

Mitch PerryJune 4, 2015

Good morning, everybody. Props to the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald for their world exclusive giving us the date when Jeb Bush finally ends his “exploring the waters” phase and officially enters the GOP presidential race: June 15. Meanwhile, Lincoln Chafee announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination Wednesday and Rick Perry will later Thursday, if […]

Mitch PerryJune 3, 2015

Although same-sex marriage became legal in Florida in January, Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued to defend the state’s 2008 constitutional ban, saying it’s her job to defend the Florida Constitution, “whether or not I agree with it.” Supporters of Florida’s same-sex marriage ban remain hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will support the state’s […]

Tag: Equality Florida
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Poll shows growing support for anti-discrimination law

Anti-discrimination bill makes strange political bedfellows

Equality Florida: No rift with Anna Brosche

Citing “personal conflict,” Anna Brosche will not attend Equality Florida’s 9/26 Jax Gala

Florida sued for refusing to list both same-sex parents on birth certificates

Equality Florida endorses Carlos Smith in HD 49

Tommy Hazouri talks Jax City Council, HRO, Alvin Brown’s loss, and more

With same-sex marriage now legal coast to coast, Jax activists eye city’s HRO once again

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 — Hillary Clinton to rally base on voting issues

Equality Florida launches new TV ad prior to high court ruling on same-sex marriage