Resistance Report Week 3: Anti-LGBTQ bills are on the move — take action!

🚨URGENT: The Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work Bill is up for a vote in the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability on Monday, February 2nd at 3:30pm. Contact committee members right away and urge them to vote NO on SB 1642/HB 641.

It was another powerful week of resistance in Tallahassee! Hundreds of Floridians from every corner of the state showed up for the second week of our Pride at the Capitol campaign and the 3rd Annual Let Us Live March — turning out in force, even as the schedule left little room to breathe. Across back-to-back bill hearings, lawmaker meetings, and rallies, our community showed exactly what it means to stand firm, together. We are deeply grateful to every volunteer, attendee, and partner organization who helped make this week such a strong and visible show of power.

After a relentless game of legislative whack-a-mole across multiple House committees last week, our focus now shifts to the Senate. Next week, several dangerous bills are teed up for hearings, including: Don't Say Gay or Trans at Work, Anti-Diversity in Local Government, and the Police State Bills (aka: Outlawing Activism). The More Lawsuits for Teachers and Doctors bill is also being heard in its next House committee.

Read on for the full Resistance Report to see what our Pride at the Capitol volunteers were up to this week — and how you can help us keep pushing back as we head into Week # 4 of legislative session.

As part of the second week of our Pride at the Capitol campaign, we hosted a press conference that included powerful and inspiring remarks from the full LGBTQ Legislative Caucus: Senator Shevrin Jones, Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, Representative Michele Rayner, and Representative Mitch Rosenwald. Pro-Equality champion Senator Rosalind Osgood called out the state's unlawful and life-threatening attempt to throw an estimated 16,000 people off the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Pro-LGBTQ champion lawmakers, Representatives Ashley Gantt and Yvonne Hinson also joined the event.

Equality Florida’s Director of Transgender Equality, Angelique Godwin, and Public Policy Director, Jon Harris Maurer, sent a powerful message to DeSantis and extremist lawmakers: Transgender people are DONE being used as scapegoats for political distractions. No matter how many cruel bills are filed, we are not backing down. We are here. And we are not going anywhere.

Hundreds of transgender and nonbinary Floridians, along with allies, joined the 3rd Annual Let Us Live March this week! This powerful rally, led by transgender leaders from communities across the state, took place on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol Building as we protested DeSantis and extremist lawmakers for their continued obsession with attacking transgender Floridians.

These coordinated attacks on transgender people — at both the state and federal levels — are deliberate attempts to distract from lawmakers’ failures to address the real crises facing our communities. But here’s what extremists continue to underestimate: transgender people are organized, resilient, and supported by a growing movement that refuses to be erased.

We also want to give a special shout-out to all of the grassroots transgender leaders across the state who made the annual Let Us Live March possible again this year! A special thank you to this year’s sponsors for supporting the march: Harmony Healthcare Orlando, RISE Orlando, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), and Cabaret Pensacola!

Our ongoing Pride At The Capitol program is a crucial element of our work to stop or minimize the impact of bad bills and prepare for legal challenges against any that become into law.

But this effort relies heavily on pro-equality supporters like YOU taking action. Your presence in Tallahassee, your stories, and your participation in committee hearings are crucial. Equality Florida will be in the Capitol through all 60 days of the legislative session — join us on the frontlines by signing up to support our effort in-person during any of the remaining days and weeks ahead.

We will be in the Florida Capitol every single day of Florida’s 60-day session. Help keep the frontline fueled with a donation today. Every dollar counts!

This week’s WINNER is Representative Michele Rayner for her insightful and passionate debate against the Police State Bills (aka Outlawing Activism). Rep. Rayner clearly exposed the potential harms of this legislation — especially how it can be weaponized against politically disfavored views and messengers. We’re also deeply grateful that Rep. Rayner joined our Pride at the Capitol press conference this week, delivering a bold message alongside her colleagues in the LGBTQ Caucus.

This week’s LOSER is Representative Doug Bankson, the House Sponsor of the Book Ban Expansion bill. This dangerous legislation is being fast-tracked in the House and is expected to reach the floor for a full vote soon. Florida already leads the nation in banned books. This bill would supercharge censorship in K-12 schools by discarding long-standing constitutional standards, making it easier to challenge and remove educational materials.

Now, let’s take you through exactly what happened this week, what's still coming, and how you can take action.

🚨OPPOSE: Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work (HB 641/SB 1642)
Sponsors: Rep. Rachel Plakon and Sen. Stan McClain

What it does: This unnecessary legislation brings Florida’s culture wars directly into the workplace with new state laws regulating pronoun use amongst adults in public and some private workplaces. It would shield employees from accountability for intentionally misgendering transgender coworkers, and even prohibits job applicants from identifying as transgender or nonbinary on job applications. The bill also seeks to block LGBTQ-inclusive cultural competency training in certain workplaces, making environments less safe and less respectful. This bill would undermine dignity and basic professionalism in the workplace.

What’s happening: SB 1642 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability on Monday, February 2nd at 3:30pm ET.

How you can help: Contact committee members right away and urge them to vote NO on SB 1642/HB 641.

🚨OPPOSE: More Lawsuits for Teachers & Doctors (HB 743/SB 1010)🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Lauren Melo and Sen. Clay Yarborough

What it does: These bills hand the Attorney General sweeping authority to investigate and sue school staff and health care providers under vague and undefined standards, intensifying Florida’s attacks on transgender youth and LGBTQ+ communities. The bills weaponize state government to intimidate and punish public servants, pile new felony penalties onto care that is already prohibited, and turn Florida’s classrooms into legal minefields. Instead of protecting children or families, these bills will reduce access to healthcare for everyone, drive providers and educators out of the state, saddle taxpayers with new costs, and erode public trust.

What’s happening: HB 743 is scheduled for a committee hearing in the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee on Tuesday, February 3rd at 2:30pm ET.

How you can help: Rush a message to the committee members and tell them to vote NO on HB 743.

🚨OPPOSE: Book Ban Expansion (HB 1119/SB 1692) 🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Doug Bankson and Sen. Stan McClain

What it does: These bills would supercharge book banning and censorship in Florida’s K-12 schools by discarding long-standing constitutional standards and by clearing the way for new challenges and removals of educational materials. Florida already leads the nation in book bans. This bill doubles down on authoritarian censorship practices and disproportionately targets books about LGBTQ people, race, and history. Denying students access to books doesn't protect them; it leaves them less informed, less prepared, and less able to think critically.

What happened: Equality Florida advocates packed the hearing room with a standing room only crowd outside. Our champion lawmakers asked tough questions and debated fiercely, while the advocates shared their fears and the harms already inflicted by Florida's sweeping book bans. HB 1119 PASSED out of the Education & Employment Committee, its final committee of reference in the House, by a 16-5 vote. It now heads to the House Floor for a full vote.

How you can help: Send a message to your Representative telling them to oppose HB 1119.

🚨OPPOSE: Anti-Diversity in Local Government (HB 1001/SB 1134)🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Dean Black and Sen. Clay Yarborough

What it does: This bill is a state sledgehammer to stop cities and counties from any action that recognizes and responds to differences based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, with limited exceptions. It would repeal existing programs, ban their funding, and threaten city and county officials with removal from office for anything vaguely labeled “diversity, equity, or inclusion.” It would effectively ban local governments from a range of actions like hosting or supporting Prides, offering LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, recognizing Black History Month, or having women and minority-owned business programs.

What’s happening: SB 1134 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Community Affairs Committee this coming Tuesday, February 3rd at 3:30pm ET.

How you can help: Send a message to the committee members and urge them to vote NO on SB 1134.

🚨OPPOSE: Police State Bills (aka Outlawing Activism) (HB 1471/SB 1632) 🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Hillary Cassel and Sen. Erin Grall

What it does: This legislation is an outrageous escalation of state terror for disagreeing with the government. It creates a vague, new designation of “domestic terrorist organization” for organizations engaging in allegedly dangerous activities intended to “coerce” the public or influence government policy “by intimidation or coercion.” Felony penalties apply for donating to, advising, or volunteering with an organization that one knows is a domestic terrorist organization or engages in such activity would constitute a felony, and for becoming a member of such organization with intent to further its allegedly illegal activity.

What happened: HB 1471 PASSED out of the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a vote of 14-3. Next, it moves to the House Education & Employment Committee for consideration. SB 1632 is scheduled for a committee hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, February 3rd at 1:00pm ET.

Rep. Kimberly Daniels (D-Jacksonville) and Rep. Mike Gottlieb (D-Davie) voted in favor of the bill with Republicans.

How you can help: Send an email to lawmakers urging them to oppose HB 1471/SB 1632.

🚨OPPOSE: New Barriers to Voting (HB 991/SB 1334)
Sponsors: Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Rep. Dana Trabulsy and Sen. Erin Grall

What it does: The onerous new proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration and verification in the New Barriers to Voting bills are rooted in a false narrative about voter fraud and introduce an expensive and burdensome new requirement that will lead to more eligible voters being disenfranchised. These pose particular risk for voters who have changed their names for marriage or other reasons, whose legal name no longer matches proof of citizenship documents like a birth certificate, or don’t have a Florida driver’s license or state ID.

What’s happening: SB 1334 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Ethics & Elections Committee on Wednesday, February 4th at 10:30am ET.

How you can help: Email the committee members and urge them to vote NO on SB 1334.

🚨OPPOSE: The Education Package (HB 1071/SB 1090) 🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Dana Trabulsy and Sen. Erin Grall

What it does: This legislation contains several concerning provisions, including a ban on school districts using state or federal funding for “social and political activism” activities by students and a revision to sexual health education content, which could introduce biased and anti-abortion information about fetal development. The Senate version would make Florida’s already limited sexual health education opt-in only, creating a new hurdle to important information.

What happened: We helped secure a partial victory–reducing a critical risk in this legislation! Last week, Equality Florida and other advocates testified about the harm of a provision in the House bill that would have facilitated law enforcement presence on school campuses, contributing to fear and intimidation in light of increased immigration enforcement we’ve seen nationally. Sponsor Rep. Trabulsy heard those concerns and removed that language when the bill was heard this week! HB 1071 PASSED the House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee by a 12-3 vote. Next, it heads to the House Education & Employment Committee.

How you can help: Tell the committee members of the House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee to oppose this bill.

🚨OPPOSE: Abusers’ Bill of Rights (HB 289/SB 164) 🚨
Sponsors: Rep. Sam Greco and Sen. Erin Grall

What it does: The Abusers’ Bill of Rights is a dangerous anti-abortion measure that would give abusers a new legal weapon by allowing them to sue certain people who have accessed abortion care. For survivors of domestic violence, this opens the door to intimidation, retaliation, and continued control long after abuse has occurred. The bill claims to fix a problem that doesn’t exist, as Florida law already allows lawsuits for negligence and malpractice leading to pregnancy loss. The true purpose of this bill is to scare people out of accessing and providing reproductive healthcare, and to create legal rights for fertilized eggs separate and apart from the pregnant individual.

What happened: SB 164 PASSED the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice by a vote of 5-3. Next, it heads to the Senate Rule Committee for consideration.

How you can help: We need you to contact your Senator right away and urge them to oppose this dangerous bill.

🚨OPPOSE: Endangering Our Kids Act (HB 173/SB 166)
Sponsors: Rep. Kim Kendall and Sen. Erin Grall

What it does: This legislation would put young people at risk by restricting minors’ access to birth control, STI treatment, and other essential healthcare without parental consent. In the real world, not all young people can safely involve a parent in sensitive health decisions. Public health policy should empower youth to take responsibility for their wellbeing, not punish them for seeking care when they are vulnerable or afraid. This bill prioritizes control over safety and will lead to worse health outcomes for young Floridians.

What happened: Bill opponents including Equality Florida supporters shared deeply moving testimony about the importance of preserving minors’ access to treatment and counseling, while our friendly lawmakers outlined the serious harm that could come from this legislation. HB 173 PASSED out of the House Health & Human Services Committee by a vote of 19-7. Next it heads to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

How you can help: Tell your lawmakers to oppose HB 173/SB 166.

The resistance is making headlines! We’re going to continue showing the world what it looks like to resist, fight back, and WIN.

As we continue over the next 40 days, we must remember that our voices matter, our actions matter, and our movement matters.

Together, we will resist, and we will make a difference.