Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 17, 2016

A Friday afternoon phone call with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry revealed the mayor’s thoughts about the Orlando Pulse tragedy, and the way forward. “There ought to be things we all can agree on,” Curry said. For starters, “a young man perpetrated a terrorist attack.” There can be, Curry said, a “productive conversation if we all can […]

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 […]

Keith MorelliJune 15, 2016

With the outpouring of support in Orlando, the nation and the world over the massacre of 49 innocent victims inside a nightclub over the weekend, an undercurrent of hatred and ignorance bubbled to the surface across the social media spectrum. The vitriol stretched the First Amendment right of everyone in this country to freedom of […]

Melissa RossJune 15, 2016

The mass shooting in Orlando isn’t changing Tommy Hazouri‘s timetable for reintroducing an updated human rights ordinance in Jacksonville. “It’s been our plan all along to do it after the mayor’s sales tax referendum,” Hazouri told WJCT. That said, the former mayor and at-large city councilman says the shootings of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub […]

Guest AuthorJune 15, 2016

Seeing the coverage on TV versus being on the ground in Orlando is candidly a surreal experience. I still remain somewhat shocked when I see images from across the globe showing support for Orlando — the vigils, the monuments lit in rainbow colors, or when I read condolences or tweets from celebrities, prominent figures, citizens, […]

Larry GriffinJune 14, 2016

The LGBT Center of Central Florida, in the wake of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, was awash Monday morning in a flood of those wishing to help. People milled in and out bringing food and drink donations, offering to counsel and hug those who needed the touch of another. One man who called himself Chris C. said he […]

Melissa RossJune 13, 2016

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Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri says the deadly mass shooting over the weekend in Orlando at the LGBT-friendly Pulse nightclub has only renewed his resolve to get a comprehensive human rights ordinance passed in the 904. Hazouri withdrew the measure earlier this year when it became apparent it did not have a majority of council […]

Peter SchorschJune 12, 2016

At a news conference Sunday afternoon, LGBT community leaders in the Orlando area gathered at The LGBT Center of Central Florida to stand in solidarity with the victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub early Sunday morning. They also made it a point to stand against hatred and bigotry of any kind. Led […]

Jac VerSteegMay 24, 2016

In a “Dear Colleague” letter, the Obama administration has issued guidelines explaining how public schools should treat transgender students. As a policy, it is good. As a political tactic, maybe not so much. The directive says public schools should let students use bathrooms and dressing rooms that match their gender identity rather than the gender […]

Melissa RossMay 20, 2016

LGBT students in the Clay County Public Schools confronted Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. in the wake of his remarks about the Obama administration’s directive on transgender bathroom access in public education. Van Zant made his feelings known through the use of a robocalling system that went out to some 35,000 households in the district. […]

Tag: LGBT

Lenny Curry talks Orlando Pulse tragedy, acknowledges LGBT people were targets

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

As support mounts for Orlando victims, undercurrent of hate surfaces on social media

Tommy Hazouri on Lenny Curry: ‘I’m sure the mayor has his regrets’

Kelly Cohen: This is my Orlando

At LGBT Center, community bands together, looks for a way forward in tragedy’s wake

Tommy Hazouri trying again with the HRO this fall to protect LGBT residents, ‘send a message’

Orlando LGBT leaders stand in solidarity against violence, bigotry, hatred after shooting

Jac VerSteeg: Transgender headaches for schools

LGBT students confront Clay County Superintendent