On August 13, 2015, Debbie and Kari Chin - along with two other married same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute - filed a federal lawsuit challenging Florida's refusal to list both same-sex spouses on their children's birth certificates.

Watch their video and read their interview to learn more about this brave couple who are heading to court to fight for Florida's LGBT families.

Remembering Civil Rights Activist Julian Bond

Equality Florida Asks Court to Tell Florida Officials to
Follow the Law On Birth Certificates for Married Same-Sex Parents

August 14, 2015

(St. Petersburg) -- Florida officials responded to Equality Florida’s birth certificate lawsuit late Thursday by asking a federal judge to clarify the law. Equality Florida responded Friday by saying the law is already clear and urged District Judge Robert L. Hinkle to tell the state to start following it.

LAWSUIT: Florida is Breaking the Law By Refusing To Acknowledge
Married Same-Sex Couples As Parents on Birth Certificates

(Tallahassee, FL, August 13, 2015)—Just days ago, Cathy Pareto and Karla Arguello—the first same-sex couple to be married in Florida—celebrated the birth of their twin son and daughter. But the couple’s joy was soon mixed with fear and frustration when the hospital denied Cathy the right to add her name to the children’s birth certificates.

Legislators push for statewide LGBT nondiscrimination protections

As cases show, real discrimination persists
despite gains in some areas

August 11, 2015

The assistant manager of a hospital department in Kissimmee was commended often and promoted twice. But in November he was fired, after what he described as months of teasing about his sexual orientation from a new boss.

Today, August 5, Equality Florida delivered 1,266 signatures in support of the proposed inclusive update to Florida's marriage certificates by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Below is the letter that was sent to the bureau, which included an attachment of all the members who signed in support. 

Dear Ana Goold and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics,

Equality Florida and TransAction Florida are pleased to welcome and support the Southern Comfort Conference coming to Ft. Lauderdale for the next three years. TransAction Florida is dedicated to advocacy, education and public policy in support of transgender equality!

Mark Puskarich is Equality Florida's new
Tampa Development Officer

Bullied in middle school, he wants to help other youth

As Equality Florida gears up for its next challenge, a new person has joined its Tampa Bay development team.