Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2016

The ACLU of Florida wants state officials to know that protecting transgender students is not only required by law, but “is the right thing to do.” In a letter penned to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, the civil liberties group writes that “we hope that you will recognize the […]

Melissa RossMay 18, 2016

Opponents of Clay County School Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. are blasting what they call unethical campaign tactics by the incumbent. Addison Davis of Orange Park, a Republican and educator who works as Duval County Public Schools chief of schools, is one of several candidates challenging Van Zant as he campaigns for a second four-year term. The […]

Diane RobertsMay 18, 2016

Gwen Graham has decided not to run for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. You can’t blame her: the redrawn map yanks the progressive heart out of Florida’s Second District, dividing — and diluting — Tallahassee. State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda made rightist noises about guns and Donald Trump earlier this spring, sounding as though […]

Melissa RossMay 16, 2016

As criticism mounts toward the Obama administration’s new directive on transgender students and public school bathrooms, Jacksonville’s schools chief is pointing out that public schools in Duval County have quietly been allowing transgender kids to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable with for several years now. “We have been problem-solving on these issues for […]

Scott PowersMay 13, 2016

Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando ripped North Carolina lawmakers and Republicans on the floor of Congress Friday declaring that state’s transgender restroom law “stupid,” and rhetorically asking, “Are you nuts?” Grayson, in a 13-minute speech given during the House of Representative’s open floor time, offered support of transgendered people being able to use the restrooms of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 13, 2016

A coalition of school board members in Florida is speaking out against a directive to let transgender students use bathrooms that match their gender identity. The Florida Coalition of School Board Members on Friday condemned a directive from the Obama administration that public schools across the U.S. to let transgender students use the bathrooms and […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2016

A construction worker vandalized a prominent pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville’s 5 Points neighborhood Thursday, and was dismissed. Both the “before” and “after” pictures of the mural are being widely shared on North Florida social media. The sign, which fronted the old Peterson’s 5 & Dime store, reads “You’ve been sharing bathrooms with transgender people your […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2016

A North Florida school board approved a measure on Tuesday that will limit restrooms to students based on their birth sex, not their gender identity. The Marion County School Board approved the ban, which took effect Wednesday morning. The decision came despite a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union that the ban is unlawful, […]

Guest AuthorApril 5, 2016

If Donald Trump were standing at a urinal in a public restroom and a transgender male (who nevertheless retained the soft features of a woman) sidled up next to him, how would Mr. Trump react? Likewise, if Hillary Clinton entered a women’s restroom and noticed a husky, masculine-appearing but longhaired woman touching up her lipstick […]

Tag: transgender

LGBT students confront Clay County Superintendent

ACLU urges Florida officials not to defy feds regarding transgender students

Clay County superintendent race gets uglier

Diane Roberts: GOP race for Gwen Graham’s CD 2 seat certainly not crazy-free

Nikolai Vitti: “fear factor” involved with transgender bathroom issue

Alan Grayson addresses ‘The Great American Bathroom Controversy,’ rips Republicans, North Carolina

Florida Coalition of School Board Members condemns transgender bathroom directive

Pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville vandalized

Marion County School Board blocks transgender kids from choosing restroom

Bob Driver: Public restrooms: Which one to choose?