Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

At Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, expect opponents of LGBT rights to use the following talking points against HRO expansion. While advocates of expanding the Human Rights Ordinance believe that they have the votes to pass the third version of the bill, opponents see it as more of the same … and intend to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2017

On Wednesday, Jacksonville City Council members and community leaders met in a packed conference room in city hall. The subject: expanding Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to include members of the city’s LGBT community. The bill is expected to be filed by 3 p.m. January 4, with an eye toward committees and a full council vote […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2017

Expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance appears to yet again be a consideration for Jacksonville’s City Council. And opponents have taken notice. Those opposed to HRO expansion have been emailing Mayor Lenny Curry, with sentiments such as these. “I am against any HRO resolution that attempts to bestow special rights to any person or group that […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 3, 2017

Will the third time be the charm for expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to include the LGBT community? Wednesday may tell the tale. Councilman Aaron Bowman, one of the co-sponsors of the 2016 HRO expansion bill, has scheduled a public notice meeting for 11:30 Wednesday morning at Jacksonville’s city hall. Expected to be in attendance: […]

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 14, 2016

Former Jacksonville Mayor and current GATE Petroleum President John Peyton has been selected as the 2018 Jax Chamber chairman. The selection of the chair typically happens more than a year in advance, and Peyton will spend 2017 as the chairman-elect. Peyton, mayor from 2003 to 2011, knows the impacts the good times and the bad times have […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 26, 2016

Pastor Ken Adkins, perhaps best known in Jacksonville for representing the “Bible-based” opposition on expert panels during mayoral “community conversations” about the expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance to LGBT people, was arrested for child molestation and aggravated child molestation Friday. First reports suggest at least one of the incidents happened at his Brunswick church, with others […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2016

It’s no surprise that Jacksonville is a leading tourism and convention destination. From beaches to golfing to its numerous parks and rivers, Jacksonville has a lot to offer its 10 million tourists a year. Along those lines, Jacksonville is a Top 50 destination for meetings, with 800 conventions the last three years hosting 500,000 room nights. […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

A Jacksonville LGBT activist claims there was a backroom deal to spike the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) in exchange for Sen. Aaron Bean supporting the pension tax referendum in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, local leaders, including Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Tommy Hazouri (sponsor of the HRO bill that was pulled), refute the claim. Hazouri said that his decision to […]

Tag: Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance

Jacksonville HRO expansion opponents preview talking points, malign city council president

Jacksonville human rights ordinance expansion push begins … again

Jacksonville HRO expansion foes gear up for 2017 fight

Jacksonville HRO expansion bill topic of Wednesday meeting

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

John Peyton selected as 2018 Chair of Jax Chamber

Ken Adkins, outspoken critic of Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance, arrested for child molestation

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

Will a lack of an HRO affect Jacksonville’s tourism and convention industry?

Did Aaron Bean kill the Jacksonville HRO?