Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

Thirty-eights years after Anita Bryant, Florida no longer officially bans gays from adopting children. Although it’s been legal for such couples to adopt since 2010, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law Thursday night that now makes that official. The issue roiled social conservatives in and outside of the Legislature this spring. The inclusion of […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

In the nationally watched race for Jacksonville mayor, Alvin Brown lost to Lenny Curry for three main reasons, says UNF political science professor Matt Corrigan. Here are his takeaways: Campaign Data and Discipline “First, Brown was up against a determined opponent who ran a well-financed, data-driven, targeted campaign,” says Corrigan. “The Brown camp got started late […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels is no stranger to controversy, but you can’t argue with her ability to spark discussion. Case in point: Daniels has taken to posting pictures of her dirty feet on Facebook as she pounds the pavement in her run for re-election. The word “Selah” is Hebrew and loosely translated, means “pause and […]

Melissa RossMay 11, 2015

The Rev. Gene Youngblood, father of Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 candidate Geoff Youngblood, says a message posted on the marquee outside his First Conservative Baptist Church is “reacting to current events” and corresponds to Scripture. The sign reads “Homosexuals must repent or go to Hell.” It has sparked a petition response at the website […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2015

As early voting gets under way in Duval County, the Orlando-based Florida Family Action PAC has sent out a voter guide advising socially conservative residents as they to go the polls to choose a new Jacksonville City Council. “These City Council candidates OPPOSE granting special rights based on ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ and SUPPORT […]

Melissa RossMay 1, 2015

Former Jacksonville mayoral candidate Audrey Moran used her time at the podium accepting a OneJax Humanitarian Award to call out Mayor Alvin Brown and his challenger Lenny Curry, both in the audience, on the city’s Human Right Ordinance. Moran, now vice president of corporate and social responsibility for Baptist Health, challenged Brown and Curry to issue a […]

Melissa RossApril 28, 2015

As the U.S. Supreme Court hears historic oral arguments on same-sex marriage, Jacksonville’s LGBT activists are growing increasingly vocal in pressing their case for full legal protections. “The change around this issue has happened so quickly,” says Dan Merkan, chairman of the Jax Coalition for Equality. Merkan says the Coalition will continue to advocate for […]

Melissa RossApril 23, 2015

As a conservative Democrat in GOP-leaning Duval County, Mayor Alvin Brown has always had to triangulate. It’s a skill most Florida political observers think he learned from his years Bill Clinton‘s orbit (arguably the most skilled Democrat in history at swimming upstream in the South). Perpetually walking a knife’s edge on taxes and spending, not to mention […]

Guest AuthorMarch 26, 2015

Considering the successes we’ve achieved over the years, it is difficult to imagine that in our lifetime women felt a shame and stigma around breast cancer — one that a small group of women and I vowed to end when I founded Susan G. Komen in 1982. We wanted women to know it was OK […]

Melissa RossMarch 26, 2015

Surprising some, Jacksonville is on a new New York Times list showing the metro areas with the largest population of LGBT residents. San Francisco is No. 1 (no surprise), followed by Portland, Ore.; Austin, Texas; and New Orleans. Jacksonville is the only Florida city to make the list, with 4.3 percent of the population falling […]

Tag: LGBT
Treasure coins from the 1715 fleet wreck. Image via FWC.

Mitch Perry Report for 6.12.15 — On this LGBT issue, Florida and Rick Scott resist social conservative pressures

Matt Corrigan’s first draft on why Alvin Brown lost

Kimberly Daniels gets dirty feet on the campaign trail

Minister, father of Jax City Council candidate, defends “homophobic” sign

Florida Family Action PAC urges Jax voters to support anti-HRO candidates

Audrey Moran calls out Alvin Brown, Lenny Curry on HRO

Jax equality coalition: “Hearts and minds” changing rapidly

LGBT issue forces Jax mayoral candidates to walk political tightrope

Nancy G. Brinker: LGBT people deserve fairness on the job

Jacksonville found to be “gayest” city in Florida