Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 20, 2017

One of the under-the-radar political stories of the 2018 cycle in Northeast Florida: the move by religious conservatives to overturn Jacksonville’s LGBT protections. Empower Jacksonville, a political action committee, brought in $10,100 in November — pushing it to $31,430 raised and just over $23,000 on hand. Empower Jacksonville seeks to have two ballot items next […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2017

The phones were lit up Friday morning when FloridaPolitics.com visited the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. The subject: Curry allowing the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to become law, albeit without his signature. When asked Wednesday about not signing the HRO into law, the mayor cited his position that he did “not believe that legislation was necessary” […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2017

During the five-year debate ahead of Jacksonville codifying LGBT rights in its Human Rights Ordinance this week, opponents often couched their rhetoric in the Christian gospels. However, with the bill having passed, the gospel of love has morphed into the rhetoric of hate. Getting the worst of it: Mayor Lenny Curry, who respected the supermajority of the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

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Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti serves in an appointed role, yet on Tuesday, he offered epistolary advice to the Jacksonville City Council. That counsel? Expand the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to protect people at work, in the housing market, and in the realm of public accommodations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

While the Human Rights Ordinance expansion is the biggest item being considered Tuesday by the Jacksonville City Council, it’s not the only one. Below, a preview of what to watch in Council Chambers. *** Margin Call: On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council has a decision to make: will the city protect LGBT rights as other major […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

A familiar sight at the Jacksonville City Council meetings of late: Blake Harper. Harper, staunchly opposed to the city’s proposed expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity, has shown up at meetings of the full council and committees with a large Bible under his arm for the whole meeting. While […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee approved the expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance on Wednesday morning. The measure was approved by a 4-3 vote, with Bill Gulliford, Sam Newby, and Matt Schellenberg opposing expansion. The expansion would add sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to the list of protected categories under the ordinance, which ensures […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 7, 2017

The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council was the second committee in two days to approve expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The Rules meeting saw two co-sponsors of the HRO expansion […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

Monday morning saw the first of three Jacksonville City Council committees approve the latest attempt to expand the Human Rights Ordinance. The vote was 4-2. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. As well, the bill offered in its original form […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2017

In Houston for the Superbowl, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan broke with the city’s right wing on two hot-button issues. Khan, a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, came out against the controversial Donald Trump immigration/travel ban from seven majority-Muslim countries. And, for good measure, he expressed — to a national publication — his support for the expansion of […]

Tag: Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance

Opponents of Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance continue to raise money, organize

Religious right to Lenny Curry: ‘keep your promise’ on HRO

After HRO expansion passes, opponents vent their rage at Lenny Curry

Nikolai Vitti: ‘Expand the HRO’

HRO expansion is not the only story in Jacksonville City Council Tuesday

Jax HRO opponents plan seven-day fast, praying for ‘extreme confusion’

Jacksonville HRO clears final city council committee

HRO clears second Jacksonville City Council committee

Amended HRO expansion bill clears first Jacksonville City Council committee

Shad Khan: No to Muslim Ban, Yes to HRO