Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 14, 2016

In every crisis, there is an opportunity. And the City of Jacksonville seeks to exploit the crisis the state of North Carolina faces, after its legislature passed anti-LGBT legislation earlier this year. As First Coast News reports, the NCAA is prepared to move seven championship events — including NCAA basketball tournament action, as well as soccer, lacrosse, […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 13, 2016

Will the third time be the charm for the efforts to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance? In 2012, a fully inclusive bill fell by a margin of 17 to 2. A modified bill lost by a much-smaller margin of 10 to 9, with a councilman — Johnny Gaffney — saying he’d gotten confused when he voted. Gaffney […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2016

Friday’s arrest of rabid anti-LGBT rights Brunswick pastor Ken Adkins on charges of child molestation and aggravated child molestation of a young man represented the end of an era in Jacksonville politics. It was the end of an era for white Republicans, who, going back a decade, saw Adkins as a portal to picking up black […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2016

J.R. Gaillot, one of three Democratic challengers to embattled incumbent Reggie Fullwood in the House District 13 race in Jacksonville, on Monday “called on the mayor and every member of the Jacksonville City Council to support Tommy Hazouri’s HRO bill.” Though the bill isn’t slated to be reintroduced until after the Aug. 30 pension tax referendum, the Fleming Island […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 20, 2016

Many of those outside the walls of the St. James Building in Jacksonville won’t take notice when Lori Boyer assumes the presidency of Jacksonville’s City Council from outgoing President Greg Anderson in less than two weeks. Chances are they will feel the effects though, as the second-term Southside Republican seeks to reassert the role of the legislative branch, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 15, 2016

It’s hard not to like Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson. When the at-large councilman assumed the yearlong position of president last summer, one media headline lauded him as a “Southern Gentleman.” And despite the slings and arrows from people on and off the council, he has lived up to that designation. He came to the presidency […]

Melissa RossJune 15, 2016

The mass shooting in Orlando isn’t changing Tommy Hazouri‘s timetable for reintroducing an updated human rights ordinance in Jacksonville. “It’s been our plan all along to do it after the mayor’s sales tax referendum,” Hazouri told WJCT. That said, the former mayor and at-large city councilman says the shootings of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub […]

Melissa RossJune 13, 2016

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Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri says the deadly mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando at the LGBT-friendly Pulse nightclub has only renewed his resolve to get a comprehensive human rights ordinance passed in the 904. Hazouri withdrew the measure earlier this year when it became apparent it did not have a majority of council […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 1, 2016

Chevara Orrin, a “chief creative catalyst” with We Are Straight Allies, is a dynamo of social justice activism. Jacksonville residents know well her tireless passion and advocacy. And increasingly, Orrin is getting a national profile. Wednesday, for example, finds Orrin in Washington, D.C., giving a speech to, of all groups, the National Security Agency. “June […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2016

A construction worker vandalized a prominent pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville’s 5 Points neighborhood Thursday, and was dismissed. Both the “before” and “after” pictures of the mural are being widely shared on North Florida social media. The sign, which fronted the old Peterson’s 5 & Dime store, reads “You’ve been sharing bathrooms with transgender people your […]

Tag: HRO
Image via AP.

Could lack of HRO expansion hurt Jacksonville with NCAA? Lenny Curry’s not worried.

Why Jax HRO expansion advocates feel optimistic

How hate preacher Ken Adkins became Jacksonville’s problem

HD 13 Dem J.R. Gaillot calls on Jacksonville to pass HRO expansion

Jax Council President-elect Lori Boyer outlines her leadership goals

Greg Anderson looks back on his Jacksonville City Council presidency

Tommy Hazouri on Lenny Curry: ‘I’m sure the mayor has his regrets’

Tommy Hazouri trying again with the HRO this fall to protect LGBT residents, ‘send a message’

Tears, real talk at ‘straight allies’ meeting in NW Jax

Pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville vandalized