On February 25, 2023, members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus will meet at the Winter Conference in Orlando to elect Caucus officers — President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Nominations for these Caucus officer positions will be accepted until January 26, 2023, via email to nominations@lgbtqdems.org.

Any voting member may run for a Caucus officer position, nominate another voting member, or have their name placed in nomination. To vote at the February 25 meeting in Orlando, or to run for an officer position, you must be a current voting member, or you must join the Caucus not later than Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Persons nominated for a Caucus officer position will be asked by the Nominating Committee to verify they are willing to serve if elected. All eligible candidates will have the opportunity to submit a photograph and a biography, statement and/or a platform of 300 words or less, no later than February 4, 2023, for distribution to the membership.

For more information about the biennial organizational election of Caucus officers, click HERE for a copy of the Election Procedures. For information about the duties of the officers of the Caucus, click here to download a copy of the Caucus Bylaws.

Democratically yours,

2023 Nominating Committee
Rick Boylan, Chair
Carvelle Estriplet
Jeff Nall

The 2023 Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus at
The Reinassance Airport Hotel in Orlando is around the corner!

February 24 – 26

Florida Democrats and the LGBTQ+ community are under fire from Republicans intent on erasing us and our values from the Sunshine State.
What do we do?
Rise Up!

Join the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus in Orlando February 24-26 for our 2023 Winter Conference. Our sessions and speakers will point the way for our party and our community and outline the challenges facing us in the upcoming legislative session.

You’ll hear from all the candidates running for FDP chair, one of whom will be elected this weekend to rebuild the party. We’ll have panels on how to engage young people, who are our next generation of leaders, and on the new frontline battle on LGBTQ+ and personal freedom issues — Florida’s school boards. We’ll also have a training session from ActBlue on digital fundraising, plus we’ll also hear from a ton of elected officials and policymakers who want to hear from you!

The in-person event with a virtual Livestream option brings together activists, allies, advocates, candidates, elected officials, and policymakers for a weekend of planning and networking.

Why does this matter?
We must RISE UP together now more than ever here in Florida after the 2022 Midterm Elections!

“The contrast of visions for Florida cannot be any starker,” said Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. “While Democrats work to lift up and support the diverse community of Floridians, Republicans shamefully hurt their own constituents with culture war attacks designed to distract from Republican inaction on economic issues.”

Our program is in development, and speakers are being added daily. Early registration and ticket prices are in effect until Friday, February 3, at 4 PM. Our special hotel room block runs through that time too and is first come, first served. The event program, ticket, registration, and room links are below.

Registration and Ticketing

For event ticket prices, purchasing, and registration for the membership meeting, click here.

• All events and meetings are open press, excluding our Saturday afternoon caucus membership meeting and Sunday drag brunch.
• Conference registration includes the Friday Welcome Reception, Saturday’s Continental Breakfast, and Saturday’s Lunch.
• We have a virtual ticket option that lets you see everything that occurs on Saturday during the conference for those that cannot attend in-person.
• Our membership meeting is open to all registered Democrats, although only active Caucus members may participate in voting.
  • Renew your caucus membership for 2023 and make your voice heard!
  • Not sure if your membership is active? Please send us an email at info@lgbtqdems.org.
• All registration fees and tickets are non-refundable.
  

Venue Location

The Renaissance Airport Hotel (5445 Forbes Pl, Orlando, FL 32812) is a spacious venue allowing for ample social distancing during all programming portions. (Face masks are optional) The conference is open to all registered Democrats.

The Renaissance Airport Hotel offers a discounted room rate of $189/night for a limited number of rooms. The hotel stay includes complimentary internet in your room, meeting room internet, and self-parking. A savings of $140.85 if you were to stay Friday thru Sunday.

The last day to reserve in the caucus room block is Friday, February 3, at 4 PM ET and rooms are first come, first serve.

• Click here to book your room.
  

All funds raised at our Winter Conference support our GOTV campaign fund to elect pro-equality candidates and promote pro-equality policies.

Event Program

Welcome Reception

Friday, February 24
6:30 – 8:30 PM

Includes Hors D’oeuvres and Drinks

Special Guests

• Anna Eskamani, Florida Representative District 42
• Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County
• Buddy Dyer, Mayor of The City of Orlando
• Val Demings, Former Congresswoman
• FDP Chair candidates
  • Carolina Ampudia
  • Nikki Fried
  • Rick Hoye
  • Annette Taddeo

Conference

Saturday, February 25
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch

Conference Breakfast – Opening Speakers

• Stephen Gaskill, President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
• Matthew Inman, President of the Rainbow Democrats of Orange County
• Dawn Curtis, Chair of the Orange Democrats
• Lynn Moira Dictor, Chair of the Seminole Democrats

2023 Legislative Outlook – How Much Worse Will It Get?

• Victor Torres, Jr., State Senator District 15
• Rita Harris, State Representative District 44
• Carlos Guillermo Smith, Former State Representative
• Nathan Bruemmer, Legislative Director for the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

The State of Hate: Hate Crimes on the Rise in Florida

• Nicole Wilson, Orange County Commissioner District 1
• Deborah Bowie, Executive Director of OnePulse Foundation
• Ashley Figueroa, Executive Director of Gay Officers Action League Central Florida
• Rindala Alajaji, Public Policy Associate – Equality Florida

Reading, Writing, Republicanism — The Real Indoctrination in Our Schools

• Johanna Lopez, State Representative District 43
• Maria Salamanca, Orange County School Board District 2
• Jennifer Jenkins, Brevard County School Board
• Kila Murphy, Former Orange County School Board Candidate
• Carol Cleaver, VP of Emerald Coast Equality LGBTQ Democratic Caucus and VP of the Escambia Ed. Ass.

What Will It Take to Get Young People Engaged?

• Jayden D’Onofrio, President of Voters of Tomorrow Florida
• Tyler Williams, President of Florida High School Democrats
• Will Larkins, President of Queer Student Union at Winter Park High School
• Rhea Maniar, Policy Director – Voters of Tomorrow Florida

Training Session: Digital Fundraising

• Jose Gamboa, Democratic Politics and Elections Associate – ActBlue

Florida’s Transgender Community Confronts the Future

• Amy Mercado, Orange County Property Appraiser and Parent of a Transgender Child
• Kristen Browde, Past Chair of the National Trans Bar Association
• Dr. Rafael Piñero, Owner of Piñero Preventive Medical Care
• Gina Duncan, Regional Development Leader Central Florida – Equality Florida

Conference Speakers:

• Darren Soto, US Congressmen House District 9
• Carmen Torres, Candidate for FL Senate District 15
• George Washington Initiative

Lunch Speaker:

• Patty Sheehan, Orlando Commissioner District 4 and LGBTQ+ Pioneer

Membership Meeting

Saturday, February 25
3:30 PM – 5 PM

• Board Reports
• Officer Elections

Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception

Saturday, February 25
7:30 PM – 10 PM
Includes Heavy Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar

Congressional Keynote Speaker: Maxwell Alejandro Frost

Keynote Speaker: Brandon Wolf

• Stephen Gaskill, Immediate Past President FL LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
• New FL LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President
• Remarks from the newly-elected Chair of the FDP
• Andrew Warren, Former Hillsborough County State Attorney

Resistance Drag Brunch

Sunday, February 26
11 AM – 1 PM
Includes Food and Brunch Cocktails

We have a wonderful lineup of talented drag queens who will be performing for their lives!

Our Magnificent Emcee is Gidget Galore!

Special Performance by:

• Axel Andrews
• Divine Grace
• Myki Meeks
• Marci Mogul
• Angelica Sanchez
• Dominic Casanova

Music by DJ Scott Roberts

Remember to tip your drag queens!

Sponsorship

Click here to support us as a sponsor!

All funds raised support our GOTV program, which is more important than ever!

Presenting Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Panel Sponsor

Champion

Friend

James Witherspoon

Benefactor

Senator Victor Torres, Jr.

Supporter

Nicole Wilson, Orange County Commissioner

Connie Stolp

Claudia Thomas & Christa Teno

Marbert Sise

Lee Perry

Regional Director Elections Are Virtual on Saturday, January 14

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is powered by people like you — so be sure you’re a part of it! We’re visible and active across the state and our regional teams are a key source of strength for the grassroots work we do on behalf of Florida’s LGBTQ+ community. We want you to get involved and run for a Regional office!

Our regional teams consist of the Regional Director**, Deputy Director and Alternate Director. They sit on our Board and participate in our meetings, help set the priorities for the Caucus, and determine our legislative, communications and electoral focus. This is a two-year term.

Elections for Regional Officers will be held via Zoom on Saturday, January 14. Here’s what you need to know to qualify:

You must be a member of the Caucus to run. (Become a member HERE.)
You must reside in the region you’re running to represent.
You must be available to participate in our monthly Board meetings the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8pm ET.

The schedule for the regional elections is below. You can declare your intent to run at the meeting if you meet the above qualifications, but you must register in advance.

Regional Election Schedule
Saturday, January 14, 2023

Region 1 (Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington)
10:30am ET / 9:30am CT
Register HERE

Region 2 (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union, and Volusia)
11:00am ET
Register HERE

Region 3 (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sumter)
11:30am ET
Register HERE

Region 4 (Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole)
12:30p ET
Register HERE

Region 5 (Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, and Polk)
1:00pm ET
Register HERE

Region 6 (Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota)
1:30pm ET
Register HERE

Region 7 (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie)
2:00pm ET
Register HERE

Region 8 (Broward)
2:30pm ET
Register HERE

Region 9 (Miami-Dade and Monroe)
3:00pm ET
Register HERE

THANK YOU for your interest in supporting the LGBTQ+ community through the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. We are already planning for 2024, when we’ll reelect President Biden, defeat Sen. Rick Scott and Republican Members of Congress, and win municipal races and school board seats. It’s a big job and we really need you.

Also, plan ahead for our Winter Conference, to be held February 24-26 in Orlando. We’ll elect our officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) for the next two years at this conference. Look for more info shortly but put it on your calendar!

Here’s to a successful 2023 —

Stephen Gaskill
President

Ricki Bauman
Secretary

** The Regional Director holds the voting position. If the Regional Director cannot vote the Deputy Director does. The Alternate Director holds the vote if the Regional Director and Deputy Director cannot.

From our Bylaws:

“The Regional Directors shall organize chapters in selected counties in their regions, shall coordinate Caucus activities within each region, shall maintain close collaboration with county Democratic Executive Committees, and shall represent the President, at his or her request, in functions and meetings within the region.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2022

DELRAY BEACH, FL – According to the Human Rights Campaign, four transgender people have been killed in Florida so far this year:

• Duval Princess, a 24-year-old in the early stages of transitioning and who identified as transgender, was killed in Jacksonville on January 3, 2022.
• Nedra Sequence Morris, a 50-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed in Opa-locka on May 14, 2022.
• Semaj Billingslea, a 33-year-old Black trans man, was killed in Jacksonville on September 21, 2022.
• Tiffany Banks, a 25-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Miami on October 1, 2022.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Vice President Robin Witt issued the following statement for Transgender Day of Remembrance:

“Today we remember our four Black and beautiful transgender family members who we lost in Florida this year. The full lives of Duval Princess, Nedra, Semaj, and Tiffany were cut short for being their authentic selves. We must continue the necessary work of raising awareness, promoting tolerance, and supporting our transgender and non-binary community. We also cannot and will not stop fighting to protect transgender Floridians from the Republican Party’s relentless onslaught of political rhetoric and attacks that is deliberately endangering our lives.”

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement for Transgender Day of Remembrance:

“The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus honors the memory and legacy of the beautiful souls we’ve lost to senseless violence, and we stand in solidarity with our transgender members, Board members, officers, and those throughout the community. Our work is not done to protect their lives and dignity. As Ron DeSantis and his cult of sycophants continue to trade transgender and non-binary lives for political power, it’s on all of us to fight back with everything we have.”

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 The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party. The Caucus is a statewide organization with chapters in 25 counties across Florida from Pensacola to Orlando to Miami – including most major metropolitan areas and many rural counties in between.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2022

Today, 12 Republicans in the US Senate joined all their Democratic colleagues in a critical test vote to codify marriage equality. Last summer, 47 Republicans in the House joined their Democratic colleagues to do the same.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill released the following statement on the test vote:

“Today’s Senate vote underscores the support the American people of both parties have for marriage equality. Despite the wishes of the ultra-conservative justices of the US Supreme Court, there is no appetite to take away this Constitutionally-guaranteed right. It’s a complete contrast to the anti-LGBTQ+ actions of Republican legislators across the country, but especially here in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis is leading a crusade to erase the LGBTQ+ community from public life. Our community is resilient, committed, and stands with the majority of Americans who understand that love is love.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2022

STATEMENT OF THE FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ON THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus congratulates all our candidates who ran on common sense positions of equality and nondiscrimination, access to abortion and healthcare, economic policies that protect Florida’s families, and the preservation of democracy. The 2022 election provided an opportunity to highlight what’s at stake for Floridians.

“Democrats are the party of the real Florida,” said Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. “Our candidates laid out their visions for the future of our state and for the country. We congratulate all those who ran, regardless of the outcome of their elections. We especially congratulate those who stood up for the LGBTQ+ community and made equality a central focus of their message. The 2022 election is over, but we are looking ahead to continuing our fight for a Florida for all.”

Congratulations to Val Demings and Charlie Crist for representing the values of Floridians. It is unfortunate that too many voters were swayed by the disingenuous campaign messaging of Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis, two politicians whose focus is on their own ambitions rather than the needs of our state.

We also congratulate our newest Democratic Members of Congress, Rep.-Elect Jared Moskowitz and Rep.-Elect Maxwell Alejandro Frost. Their presence in the Florida Congressional delegation brings new voices and visions for what Florida can become.

The LGBTQ+ Caucus in Tallahassee survives with the reelections of Sen. Shevrin Jones and Rep. Michele Rayner. Together, they will represent our community and be the frontline firewall for the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation we know the Republicans are planning. We will miss the voice of our champion Carlos Guillermo Smith, who faced an onslaught of special interest spending that he fought hard to overcome.

“The Republicans will once again attempt to marginalize our community and use LGBTQ+ discrimination as a messaging opportunity to advance the DeSantis presidential run,” Gaskill said. “Despite the results in individual races, Floridians overwhelmingly support the LGBTQ+ community in our ongoing fight for equality.”

With chapters in 25 counties across the state, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is among the most active organizations in the Florida Democratic Party. This cycle our chapters worked directly with candidates and campaigns, hosted fundraisers, events and rallies, canvassed and made phone calls, and were a visible and active presence on the campaign trail. The volunteers in our LGBTQ+ Get Out The Vote Center in Wilton Manors sent more than 5,000 GOTV postcards and operated a text banking operation that generated more than 200,000 GOTV texts to voters around Florida. The Center hosted rallies and events featuring Val Demings, Charlie Crist, Karla Hernandez, Aramis Ayala, Adam Hattersley, Lauren Book, Jason Pizzo, Dean Trantalis, and countless other candidates and elected officials.

“The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus will continue our organizing, outreach, and mobilization efforts as we head into the next election cycle,” Gaskill said. “We are not deterred by yesterday’s results.”

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The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party. The Caucus is a statewide organization with chapters in 25 counties across Florida from Pensacola to Orlando to Miami – including most major metropolitan areas and many rural counties in between.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2022

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its endorsed candidates and constitutional amendment recommendations for the 2022 General Election and kicking off an online fundraising and get-out-the-vote effort for targeted races.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the endorsements:

“The only way to stop the dangerous anti-LGBTQ+ agenda is to defeat the Republican politicians who shamefully attack our community for political gain. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and its county chapters are working to turnout LGBTQ+ voters in the critical 2022 election and elect pro-equality Democrats who will protect and expand the rights of all LGBTQ+ Floridians.”

ENDORSED CANDIDATES

U.S. SENATE

Val Demings

U.S. HOUSE INCUMBENTS

Rep. Al Lawson – District 2
Rep. Darren Soto – District 9
Rep. Kathy Castor – District 14
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick – District 20
Rep. Lois Frankel – District 22
Rep. Frederica Wilson – District 24
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz – District 25

U.S. HOUSE CHALLENGERS

Danielle Nicole Hawk – U.S. House, District 3
Karen Green – U.S. House, District 7
Joanne Terry – U.S. House, District 8
Maxwell Alejandro Frost – U.S. House, District 10
Kimberly Walker – U.S. House, District 12
Eric Lynn – U.S. House, District 13
Alan Cohn – U.S. House, District 15
Jan Schneider – U.S. House, District 16
Andrea Doria Kale – Congress, District 17
Dr. Cindy Banyai – U.S. House, District 19
Jared Moskowitz – U.S. House, District 23
Christine Alexandria Olivo – U.S. House, District 26
Annette Taddeo – U.S. House, District 27
Robert Asencio – U.S. House, District 28

GUBERNATORIAL

Charlie Crist – Governor

CABINET

Adam Hattersley – CFO
Aramis Ayala – Attorney General

STATE SENATE

Loranne Ausley, State Senate – District 3
Tracie Davis, State Senate – District 5
Rodney Long, State Senate – District 9
Veysel Dokur, State Senate – District 12
Janet Cruz, State Senate – District 14
Darryl Rouson, State Senate – District 16
Linda Stewart, State Senate – District 17
Eunic Ortiz, State Senate – District 18
Vic Torres, State Senate – District 25
Shevrin Jones, State Senate – District 34
Lauren Book, State Senate – District 35
Raquel Pacheco, State Senate – District 36
Janelle Perez, State Senate – District 38

STATE HOUSE

Carollyn Taylor, State House – District 2
Cornelius Jones, State House – District 11
Angie Nixon, State House – District 13
Michael Anderson, State House – District 17
Yvonne Hayes Hinson, State House – District 21
Brandon Peters, State House – District 22
John Navarra, State House – District 28
Rick Karl, State House – District 29
Rishi Bagga, State House – District 35
Deborah Poulalion, State House – District 36
Carlos Guillermo Smith, State House – District 37
Sarah Henry, State House – District 38
Tiffany Hughes, State House – District 39
LaVon Bracy Davis, State House – District 40
Anna Eskamani, State House – District 42
Johanna Lopez, State House – District 43
Allie Braswell, State House – District 45
Kristen Arrington, State House – District 46
Bernard “Bernie” Fensterwald, State House – District 58
Lindsay Cross, State House – District 60
Janet Varnell Warwick, State House – District 61
Michele Rayner, State House – District 62
David Tillery, State House – District 66
Fentrice Driskell, State House – District 67
Lorissa Wright, State House – District 68
Andrew Learned, State House – District 69
Derek Reich, State House – District 73
Forest Blanton, State House – District 84
Curtis John Tucker, State House – District 85
Kelly Skidmore, State House – District 92
Katherine Waldron, State House – District 93
Patricia Hawkins-Williams, State House – District 99
Linda Thompson Gonzalez, State House – District 100
Hillary Cassel, State House – District 101
Marie Woodson, State House – District 105
Jordan Leonard, State House – District 106
Alessandro “A.J.” D’Amico, State House – District 113
Adam Benna, State House – District 114
Christie Cantin Davis, State House – District 115
Gabriel Gonzalez, State House – District 119
Adam Gentle, State House – District 120

MUNICIPAL

Alachua

Harvey Ward, Jr, Gainesville Mayor
Mary Alford, Alachua County Commission, District 1
Mary Helen Wheeler, Alachua County Commission, District 2
Ken Cornell, Alachua County Commission, District 4
Tina Certain, Alachua County School Board, District 1
James Ingle, Gainesville City Commission, District 2
Casey Willits, Gainesville City Commission, District 3
Bryan Eastman, Gainesville City Commission, District 4

Brevard

William “Bill” Johnson – West Melbourne City Council
Erin Dunne – School Board, District 2
James Alex Goins – Cocoa City Council, District 1

Broward

Ruth Carter Lynch, Broward County School Board, District 5
Allen Zeman, Broward County School Board, District 8
Rod Velez, Broward County School Board, District 1
Ken Keechl, Fort Lauderdale Commission, District 1
Yvette DuBose, Fort Lauderdale Commission, District 3
Scott Newton, Wilton Manors Mayor
Paul Rolli, Wilton Manors Commission, At-Large

Duval

Lakesha Burton for Sheriff

Escambia

Ann Hill – Pensacola City Council, District 6
Myra Van Hoose – County Commission, District 4

Hillsborough

Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commission, District 1
Angela Birdsong, Hillsborough County Commission, District 2
Mariella Smith, Hillsborough County Commission, District 5
Kimberly Overman, Hillsborough County Commission, District 7

Lee

Kathy Fanny, Lee County School Board, District 1
Chantel Rhodes, City of Fort Myers Council, District 3
Steven Blumrosen, City of Bonita Springs Council, District 3

Leon

Cristian Caban – County Commission, District 2
Alex Stemle – School Board, District 4

Orange

Maria Salamanca, Orange County School Board, District 2

Osceola

Viviana Janer, Osceola County Commission, District 2
Heather Kahoun, Osceola School Board, District 4
Angela Eady, Kissimmee City Commission, District 2

Polk

Markeishia Smith – County Commission, District 4

Sarasota

Fredd Atkins, County Commission, District 2
Daniel Kuether – Sarasota County Commission, District 4

Volusia

Justin Kennedy – School Board, District 3
Al Bouie – School Board, District 1

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Amendment 1 – No
Amendment 2 – No
Amendment 3 – No

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