Equality Florida honors trans teen Jazz Jennings, Mark’s List founder Mark Haines

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Written by:Abraham Galvan

LGBT community leaders and allies on Sunday honored trans teen Jazz Jennings and paid tribute to late businessman Mark Haines at Equality Florida’s annual Broward Gala in Fort Lauderdale.

Hundreds attended the 12th annual gala, held this year at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Panorama Ballroom. Equality Florida raised more than $400,000 at the event, according to Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer.

Alachua County joins friend-of-the-court brief supporting marriage equality

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Written by: Morgan Watkins

The Alachua County Commission has joined the city of Gainesville and other local governments in signing onto a friend-of-the-court brief filed in various marriage equality cases in Florida involving the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

The Gainesville City Commission decided to join in the amicus curiae brief in October, and the County Commission followed suit Tuesday. (The friend-of-the-court brief was included as an item on the county’s consent agenda.)

Equality Florida 2014 Greater Orlando Gala

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Written by:Jake Stevens

Equality Florida’s 2014 Greater Orlando Gala raised more than $200,000 for the organization on Nov. 14. The event, held at The Mezz in downtown Orlando, boasted a sold-out crowd – nearly 400 guests.

EQFL honored their 2014 Voice for Equality honorees Dr. Kathryn Norsworthy, Ted Maines and Jeff Miller.

To view the photos of the Gala, click here.

ALACHUA COUNTY TO FILE AMICUS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF FLORIDA MARRIAGE EQUALITY LAWSUITS

Submitted by Brittany on November 18, 2014 - 2:26pm

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners has taken a public stance in favor of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, by voting to sign on to an Amicus Brief that was drafted and filed by a growing list of local governments in all marriage equality lawsuits in Florida.

Central Florida woman dies of cancer before marriage to partner, birth of their son

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Written by: Steve Rothaus

A Central Florida woman died Nov. 3 of cancer before she could marry her partner and just before the birth of their son, Equality Florida announced Thursday. “Marriage equality will come too late for one Florida family. Liz Molina, 35, passed away on Monday,” Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith wrote to supporters.

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Rick Kriseman: St. Pete’s LGBTQ atmosphere has got it goin’ on

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Written by: Janelle Irwin

St. Petersburg is officially gay-friendly. Based on the annual nationwide Municipal Equality Index rating, St. Pete earned a perfect score on its level of LGBT equality.

“I’m proud to say our score is the best in the Tampa ay region,” mayor Rick Kriseman said during a press conference on the steps of City Hall. The city received a score of 100, up from just 66 last year.