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As we celebrate yesterday's passage of Marraige Equality in New York, we wanted to share a few brief thoughts on what this tremendous victory means for us here in Florida.

We are winning!

New Blue Cross social media campaign rewards nonprofit agencies that net most votes | jacksonville.com This month, Equality Florida has an opportunity to receive $3,000 in the BlueCross BlueShield of Florida's "The Pursuit" competition and it only takes a moment of your time. Will you help?

Currently, Florida law does not recognize gay and straight unmarried couples. Our families can love and support each other for decades and still be denied fundamental protections. It's time for the City of Orlando and Orange County to do what state and federal law currently has not. It's time for the City of Orlando and Orange County to create a domestic partnership registry.

You know what my favorite part of this article is? Florida is not listed as one of the states that prohibit LGBT people from adopting. By SABRINA TAVERNISEPublished: June 13, 2011 Growing numbers of gay couples across the country are adopting, according to census data, despite an uneven legal landscape that can leave their children without the rights and protections extended to children of heterosexual parents.

This past Sunday forty of Equality Florida's strongest supporters from the Suncoast gathered at the home of Rita Ferrandino for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. During a brief program, Rita shared her vision for Sarasota County and the country and recommitted herself and the resources she helps guide as Chair of the Sarasota Democratic Party to the pursuit of equality. Joe Saunders, Equality Florida's Field Director, briefed the crowd on our recent victories and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Over the summer the Florida legislature will hold a series of meetings aimed at getting public input on the redistricting process. Redistricting happens once every 10 years and hold tremendous importance over the way the state will be governed for the next decade. Often districts are drawn to favor the party in power, which were Republicans 10 years ago, and are Republicans today. By making our districts drawn fairly, elections will be more competitive- which is a good thing.

We’re in a competition to win $3,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSFL), and we need your vote!

Join us Saturday, June 11th from 8pm - midnight in St Pete for the Stayin' Alive Red Ribbon Dance in support of AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP).

Our good friend, Scott Maxwell, over at the Orlando Sentinel recently talked to new Department of Children and Families chief, David Wilkins, about his decision to cut 500 jobs from the Department. Maxwell also took the opportunity to ask Wilkins if he had plans to try and resurrect Florida's ban on LGBT adoption. From Maxwell's article:

THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press SecretaryFor Immediate Release May 31, 2011LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2011 - - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION The story of America's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, andTransgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers andsons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors

Interesting article from TheLedger.com about implementation of the controversial election law that passed this legislative session. Apparently, several Supervisor of Elections are not going to be implementing any of the changes required by the law until review by the federal government.

In 2008, Steve Schale led Obama's successful bid to win Florida's prized electoral votes. It was one of the largest campaigns in Florida's political history and redefined the way many of us think about both financial and field organizing limitations in Florida.

Last Thursday, the Volusia County Council voted 6 to 1 to expand their anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Volusia is home to Daytona Beach, Nascar's Daytona 500 and the world famous Bike Week.