Resistance Report Week 5: CODE RED at the Florida Capitol

We’re halfway through Florida’s 60-day legislative session — and we are at CODE RED.

Some of the most dangerous bills of the year are speeding through the process and heading into their final committees of reference next week. If they clear those stops, they are one step away from the House and Senate floors. This is the moment where bad bills either stall or surge.

This week, dozens of Floridians showed up with us to testify against the “Anti-Diversity in Local Government” and the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work” bills. With partners like Planned Parenthood, Voices of Florida, and AFL-CIO, we PACKED the committee room. We outnumbered the opposition and made it crystal clear: we're done with the obsessive, politically motivated attacks on LGBTQ people and our communities.

But despite overwhelming public opposition, both bills passed committee. And now they’re moving to their final stops.

Let’s be clear about what’s at stake.

The “Anti-Diversity in Local Government” is one of the most sweeping and dangerous proposals we’ve seen. It would:

❌ Ban cities and counties from sponsoring or promoting Pride festivals
❌ Set up local electeds to be removed from office for recognizing Black History Month or Pride Month
❌ Defund translating information about city services for Hispanic residents
✅ Allow extremists to sue local governments for alleged violations (Ex: A white supremacist could sue a city for honoring Hanukkah or Yom Kippur, as non-state-recognized holidays.)

This is what we’re up against. And we need every single person to act immediately. Keep sending emails, making phone calls, and joining us in Tallahassee to speak out.

We’re renting buses this week to flood the Capitol. A core part of our Resistance strategy is the pack committee hearings, fill the halls, and be the sand in the gears that stops these bills in their tracks. They’re moving fast. So must we. There are still seats available! Sign up here if you can join us.

This week, we joined several of our partners for Planned Parenthood Florida Action’s Reproductive Freedom Rally! It was great to see Senator Tracie Davis and her colleagues, Leader Fentrice Driskell and Representative Anna V. Eskamani, as they shared powerful comments with the crowd in support of the Reproductive Freedom Act (HB 1151/SB 1308). This legislation would remove political interference from our health care decisions by restoring access to abortion in Florida, ensuring access to birth control and IVF, and protecting those who assist others in accessing reproductive care.

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.

This week’s WINNERS are Representatives Michele Rayner, Mike Gottlieb, Bruce Antone, and Daryl Campbell for their work together in the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee to SLAY against the “Anti-Diversity in Local Government” and “Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work” bills. They shared compelling lived experiences, economic data, and legal arguments to expose the fundamental flaws in these bad bills. They stood up for the respect and inclusion of LGBTQ, Black, and other marginalized Floridians. These committee hearings have been grueling, and we’re grateful for the strong questioning and debate from these Reps!

This week’s LOSER is Representative Kim Kendall, who continues to use her time on the microphone to spew offensive and absurd anti-transgender tropes, conflating issues that have nothing to do with gender identity. Even one of the bill sponsors for “Don’t Say Gay or Trans at Work” felt compelled to clarify and apologize for Rep. Kendall’s disinformation attack, which drew outrage during public comment. These sorts of smears are not about policy differences. They do real harm beyond the legislative process.

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 is grievance legislation, rooted in legitimizing deeply offensive and hostile anti-transgender speech in the workplace. It brings Florida’s culture wars directly into 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 inclusive. This bill undermines basic dignity and professionalism in the workplace.

What happened: Floridians PACKED the House committee hearing to testify against HB 641. We’re grateful to our partners at Planned Parenthood and AFL-CIO for helping to fill the room and speak out with us. So many opponents turned out that it took six minutes just to read all of their names into the record. We vastly outnumbered our opposition! Ultimately, HB 641 did PASS out of the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a 12-3 vote. But the fight isn’t over. HB 641 is scheduled to be heard in its FINAL House committee of reference (Judiciary) on Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30am ET.

How you can help: Contact members in the next House and Senate committees right away and urge them to vote NO on SB 1642/HB 641.

🚨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.

"Anti-Diversity in Local Government" is also being called "Don't Say Black," after FAMU recently stopped students from using the word "Black" on a Black History Month poster.

What happened: HB 1001 and SB 1134 are rapidly moving through the legislature. This week, the bills PASSED out of the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a 12-4 vote and the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 8-3 vote. SB 1134 has already been scheduled for a hearing in its final Senate committee, Rules, this coming Tuesday, February 17th, at noon ET. We have a busload of Floridians joining us in Tallahassee that day to speak out and try to slow this dangerous bill down.

How you can help: Send a message to the members of the next Senate and House Committees and urge them to vote NO on SB 1134/HB 1001.

🚨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 has now been scheduled for a hearing in its FINAL House Committee of reference on Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30 am 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: HB 1119 PASSED the Full House by a vote of 84-28. This bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Before final passage, Democratic members filed and argued a series of thoughtful amendments that forced extensive debate on the bill, raising tough constitutional questions, highlighting the real harm to students and educators, and ensuring this dangerous expansion of censorship did not move forward without scrutiny.

How you can help: Send a message to your Senator telling them to oppose HB 1119/SB 1692.

🚨OPPOSE: Police State Bills (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’s happening: HB 1471 PASSED out of the House Education & Employment Committee by a vote of 16-4. Next, this bill heads to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. SB 1632 has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 18th at 10:30am.

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

🚨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’s happened: HB 173 PASSED out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 15-4. HB 173 is now scheduled to be hear in the House Education & Employment Committee on Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30am.

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

🚨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: HB 991 is scheduled to be heard in the House State Affairs Committee this Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30am ET and SB 1334 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, February 18th at 8:30am.

How you can help: Email the committee members and urge them to vote NO on HB 991/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’s happened: HB 1071 PASSED out of its final House committee by a vote of 15-4. Next, it heads to the House Floor for a full vote. This bill has yet to be heard in any of the Senate committees of reference.

How you can help: Tell your Senator to OPPOSE HB 1071/SB 1090.

NEUTRALIZED in the House & Senate: Penalizing Local Diversity and Inclusion Spending Bill (HB 1329/SB 1566)
Sponsors: Rep. Yvette Benarroch and Sen. Nick DiCeglie

What it did: In its original form, this bill was state overreach that would have fined local government for funding programs and services addressing diverse communities’ needs by differentiating based on race, color, sex, or ethnicity, as well as any programs or services advancing “social justice” or addressing implicit bias or antiracism. It extended even beyond the Anti-Diversity in Local Government bill, threatening nondiscrimination ordinances and specialized community health programs.

What happened: During its hearing in the Senate Community Affairs Committee, SB 1566 was amended, removing the anti-DEI provisions from the legislation. With these changes, both the House and Senate versions have been officially NEUTRALIZED. As amended, SB 1566 passed out of the Senate committee by a 7-1 vote.

As we continue over the next 26 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.