Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2016

A pastor who was vocal in his opposition to expanding LGBT rights in Jacksonville is poised to become a member of the JEA Board, via recently filed legislation at the request of the mayor’s office. And in doing so, that pastor will fill the vacancy of a councilman who introduced a bill for an expanded […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 17, 2016

Jacksonville has shown improvement in its “LGBT friendliness” score, nearly doubling it in the last year. And the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality credits Republican Mayor Lenny Curry as the reason why. In the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, Jacksonville earned a rating of 49 out of 100 for 2016, up from 26 in 2015. FloridaPolitics.com reported a draft version […]

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 […]

Melissa RossJune 17, 2016

Expressions of sympathy and support from Jacksonville’s political leadership in the aftermath of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting massacre are falling flat with North Florida’s LGBT community. “It was a bias-motivated attack against a gay bar to kill LGBT people,” said Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette. “When leaders neuter expressions of sympathy of that fact […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

Given that many proponents of expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance were disappointed that the most recent push toward HRO expansion ended up short of that goal, it’s interesting that the official position of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality has been to laud the positive policy outcome from the debate: the Mayoral Directive, issued in […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2016

Barring an unforeseen development at Thursday’s special meeting, Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri will table his HRO expansion bill at least through May. However, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality plans on mobilizing its base Thursday nonetheless. After the Council meeting, the JCE will hold a “Yes to Equality” rally in front of the main library on […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

In an email to supporters, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality claims that Lenny Curry opposes a referendum on the expansion of the HRO. “The Mayor also made clear to JCE leadership that he is opposed to a ballot measure on this issue. No one wants to see the City roiled by months of divisive advertisements and hours-long […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2016

For the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality, it’s all About the Benjamins on Jan. 29. A $100 suggested contribution is the price of admission for the Jacksonville Equality Affair. Speaking at the event: JCE Chair Dan Merkan, Councilman Tommy Hazouri, and Bishop Lorenzo Hall. Sponsorship opportunities start at $200, with the top end of the range exceeded only by […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Ahead of the first Jacksonville City Council reading of the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) expansion bills, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality held its second news conference with faith leaders on Monday, a cold day in Springfield’s Klutho Park. The statement that 102 faith leaders of the Abrahamic faiths signed: Love and respect for one’s fellow […]

Tag: Jacksonville Coalition for Equality
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Anti-HRO pastor Fred Newbill to replace Warren Jones on JEA Board

Equality group credits mayor with huge leap in Jacksonville’s LGBT friendliness score

Why Jax HRO expansion advocates feel optimistic

City of Jax ‘Dear Orlando’ postcard campaign criticized as tone-deaf

Email insights: Jax Coalition for Equality lauds mayoral non-discrimination directive

Jax Coalition for Equality keeps up the HRO pressure

Jax Coalition for Equality to rally Thursday after City Council meeting

Jax Coalition for Equality claims Lenny Curry opposes HRO ballot measure

Jax Coalition for Equality plans Jacksonville Equality Affair

Jax faith leaders call for HRO expansion