Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Guest AuthorMarch 25, 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 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 25, 2015

Intolerance and bigotry is expensive business in Florida. That’s according to a report released Wednesday by a coalition of major employers in the state called Equality Means Business. The report found that discrimination against the LGBT community costs employers more than $362 million a year. The losses are linked to employee turnover and loss of productivity. “We’ve […]

Melissa RossMarch 23, 2015

Facing strong challenges in Tuesday’s election, incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown said he’s confident — and that he’s fulfilled the campaign promises from four years ago that made him a come-from-behind winner in Jacksonville’s 2011 mayoral race. “I made a promise that I would streamline government, that we would live within our means, put Jacksonville back […]

Melissa RossMarch 23, 2015

Facing strong challenges in Tuesday’s election, incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown said he’s confident — and that he’s fulfilled the campaign promises from four years ago that made him a come-from-behind winner in Jacksonville’s 2011 mayoral race. “I made a promise that I would streamline government, that we would live within our means, put Jacksonville back […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 4, 2015

Despite opposition from numerous equality, healthcare, and social service groups, a House bill making it illegal to use a restroom designated for the opposite sex was voted “favorable” during its first committee stop Wednesday. The Single-Sex Public Facilities bill proposed by South Florida Republican Frank Artiles passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee 9-4 after countless […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 25, 2015

Earlier Wednesday, we reported on the Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC‘s slate of endorsements for the March Jacksonville Unitary Election. In doing so, we have uncovered differing recollections of a 2012 meeting between PAC Vice Chairman Jimmy Midyette and Mayor Alvin Brown‘s Chief of Staff Chris Hand. Midyette said at Tuesday’s press conference that “before the bill was introduced, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 25, 2015

Earlier Wednesday, we reported on the Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC‘s slate of endorsements for the March Jacksonville Unitary Election. In doing so, we have uncovered differing recollections of a 2012 meeting between PAC Vice Chairman Jimmy Midyette and Mayor Alvin Brown‘s Chief of Staff Chris Hand. Midyette said at Tuesday’s press conference that “before the bill was introduced, […]

Melissa RossFebruary 23, 2015

In a rare media appearance, Jacksonville mayoral candidate Omega Allen drew voluminous commentary on social media Monday morning after saying on the air she believes homosexuality is “a choice.” Allen was a guest on the program I host, WJCT’s First Coast Connect. After fielding several calls and emails about her position on the city’s human […]

Melissa RossFebruary 23, 2015

In a rare media appearance, Jacksonville mayoral candidate Omega Allen drew voluminous commentary on social media Monday morning after saying on the air she believes homosexuality is “a choice.” Allen was a guest on the program I host, WJCT’s First Coast Connect. After fielding several calls and emails about her position on the city’s human […]

Tag: LGBT

Jacksonville found to be "gayest" city in Florida

Nancy Brinker: LGBT people deserve fairness on the job

Study finds LGBT discrimination costs Florida businesses big

Alvin Brown’s final argument: “The key is keeping your promise”

Alvin Brown's final argument: "The key is keeping your promise"

Same-sex bathroom bill moves through first committee stop

Alvin Brown’s staff chief disputes LGBT leadership PAC version of 2012 meeting

Alvin Brown's staff chief disputes LGBT leadership PAC version of 2012 meeting

Jacksonville mayoral candidate: Homosexuality is “a choice”

Jacksonville mayoral candidate: Homosexuality is "a choice"