Blog

  Today is Election Day for Florida’s Presidential Primary and this is your guide to protecting your health and democracy. Polls will be open from 7:00AM to 7:00PM for you to cast your ballot. Your voice in this election is critical.

(We will update this page regularly)   (Update: March 18, 2020)  Equality Florida has decided to cancel or postpone additional public events for April/May, including:  April 25: Equality Florida Tallahassee Gala May 9: Equality Florida St. Pete Gala (Update: March 13, 2020)

We’ve now passed the midpoint of the 2020 Legislative Session in Tallahassee and, with a fantastic Lobby Days at the Capitol under our belts, there are some early successes, remaining threats, and clear missed opportunities by the GOP leade

  ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Hundreds of school district leaders from 39 Florida school districts and Florida Virtual Schools are gathering today for two days of intensive LGBTQ-inclusive trainings in St. Petersburg at the at-capacity sixth annual All Together Now Conference. Attendees represent 90% of Florida’s public school population.

Families of Transgender Youth Fight Back Against Attacks from Florida Legislature Jeannette Jennings and other parents testify in workshop on anti-trans bill

  TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature has doubled down on its attacks on LGBTQ Floridians by advancing a draconian bill that threatens doctors with 15 years in prison for providing life-saving care to transgender youth. The “Transgender Medical Care Ban” bill (HB 1365) has been scheduled for a vote in the Florida House Health Quality Subcommittee on Monday, February 3 at 3:00pm ET. The only other state to move this dangerous legislation forward is South Dakota.

  TALLAHASSEE — Today Florida Legislators advanced a bill which would have dangerous effects on local LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections in employment across the state. Despite strong opposition from Equality Florida and advocates, the Florida House Subcommittee on Local, Federal, and Veterans Affairs voted 10-5 on a party line to move State Representative Bob Rommel’s HB 305 to its final committee. As filed, the bill would roll back local LGBTQ protections that currently cover nearly 60% of the state’s population.

 

Executive Summary “Astonishing. That is the first word that comes to mind as I reflect on the enormous work showcased in this 2019 recap.

  UPDATE as of 1/16/2020: Equality Florida has eliminated House Bill 3’s risk to local protections against conversion therapy. We hit the ground running in the Capitol this week for a series of rapid response meetings and worked with the sponsor of HB 3 — one of the “Slate of 8” bills — to secure this amendment! The quick action was even more critical because HB 3 is being fast-tracked through the House. We’re not out of the woods yet. Next, we’re working to fix the Senate bill.

LGBTQ EQUALITY

Equality Florida, Impact Fund, NCLR Lead Civil Rights Groups Brief in Florida Appeals Court Fight to Protect Local Human Rights Ordinances Broad coalition of civil rights groups and nonprofit organizations explain that HROs in FL are vital for providing protections against many forms of discrimination

Equality Florida is proud to announce our Fall 2019 intern cohort! We have representation from all over the state, including cities such as Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Miami, Boca Raton, Orlando and many more! As they wrap up this semester, learn a little about our interns and show them some love:

  (Please note: We will be updating this list frequently as we receive information on additional TDORV events occurring across the state.)  

 

  Written By: Gina Duncan, Director of Transgender Equality  

Equality Florida Applauds Introduction of HIV Modernization Bills Common Sense Approach to Ending HIV

  FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - Equality Florida Institute will present its highest honor, The Voice for Equality Award to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried at the 17th Annual Equality Florida Broward Gala on Saturday, November 9th at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.