We’re grateful for Rep. Charlie Crist talking with our membership about stopping coronavirus spread, supporting unemployed Americans, blocking oil drilling, protecting the Everglades, and turning Florida blue. Give it a watch!
LGBTQ+ Democrats Statement on the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2022 DELRAY BEACH, FL – The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and turn back the Constitutional guarantee of a right to privacy has galvanized the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. Several of our key leaders provided statements: Robin Witt, Vice President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus; […]
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Celebrates Passage of the Equality Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2021 DELRAY BEACH FL – Today, the US House of Representatives passed The Equality Act by a vote of 224 to 206. This landmark bipartisan legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in a number of civil rights laws and ensure equality for LGBTQ+ Americans. Stephen […]
LGBTQ+ Dems Celebrate Florida Commission on Human Relations Victory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2021 DELRAY BEACH FL – The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) has announced its intent to investigate claims of anti-LGBTQ discrimination in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement: “Discrimination on the […]
LGBTQ+ Democrats Celebrate Historic Supreme Court Decision on Employment Discrimination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2020 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled in Bostock v Clayton County that “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII.” Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the ruling: “Our community just took […]
Capital Equality Democratic Caucus Condemns President Trump’s Ban on Transgender Service Members
The Capital Equality Democratic Caucus condemns today’s announcement via Twitter by President Trump that “the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” We applaud the strong, bipartisan condemnation from members of both sides of the aisle in Congress and from our Democratic gubernatorial […]
Zoom Town Hall with Charlie Crist
July 20th, 2020 
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus 
Comments Off on Zoom Town Hall with Charlie Crist Diversity Panel at Leadership Blue
July 18th, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Diversity Panel at Leadership Blue LGBTQ Democrats Call for Statewide Stay At Home Order
July 18th, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on LGBTQ Democrats Call for Statewide Stay At Home Order FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2020
DELRAY BEACH, FL – Yesterday marked the fourth day in a row that Florida has reported more than 100 new deaths from the coronavirus, and COVID-19 cases have surpassed 10,000 for six the of the last seven days. With the coronavirus pandemic spiraling out of control in Florida, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is calling for the following measures to curtail community spread of the virus:
- An immediate, statewide, four-week stay at home order to reduce transmission and allow for this wave to decrease. A statewide public mask requirement should be paired with this order.
- A reassessment deadline after the four-week period to determine if the stay at home order should continue and if schools can reopen safely. This decision making should be based on science and hard metrics, not arbitrary deadlines, or political influence.
- An extension of unemployment benefits and the moratorium on evictions to protect unemployed workers during this difficult but necessary step.
- State and local actions that promote voting by mail and make it as easy as possible for voters in both the primary and general elections.
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Caucus’ call for bold action:
“The LGBTQ+ community has been fighting HIV for 40 years and through that struggle, we have learned the importance of government taking big, bold actions instead of patchwork solutions. We need that same mindset now as we continue to battle the coronavirus. Inaction by our political leaders means that more families will needlessly suffer, and more people will die, just as it was in the early days of the HIV crisis.
“There’s no road map for how we got here, nor is there one to get us out. We’re facing a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and a crisis of confidence due to the absence of leadership in Washington and Tallahassee. Our community is fearful for Florida, and for the country right now. That’s why we are demanding bold action based on science and not an arbitrary political timetable.”
Dr. Alexys Hillman, a physician and at-large board member of the Emerald Coast Equality LGBTA Democratic Caucus in Escambia county, highlighted the medical necessity for bold action:
“The healthcare system in Florida is becoming dangerously close to being overwhelmed in many communities. COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths are rising alongside skyrocketing case counts, and if we don’t stop the spread now, we will find ourselves in a situation where medical professionals have to make impossible decisions between patients, as was seen in New York and Italy earlier in the pandemic.
“Forcing every school to open next month is irresponsible given our current trajectory of the virus spreading. That puts students, educators, and families at risk, and a growing body of evidence now shows lung damage in asymptomatic children and adults. This is in addition to the very real risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots due to COVID-19, which would add to the burden of a society where heart disease and strokes are already the leading and fifth leading causes of death, respectively.
“Even for survivors of such events, the recovery and functional limitations afterwards are no small matter. The risk of persistent disability is real and will have long term economic impacts on our health care system and social safety net. The science is clear that when virus transmission is as high as it is in Florida, bold policy actions are needed to stop suffering and preserve human life – the most important duty of any medical professional.”
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Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Endorses Slate of Legislative Candidates
July 16th, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Endorses Slate of Legislative Candidates FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2020
DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its next round of state legislative endorsements for the 2020 election. Our local chapters in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Pinellas counties have reviewed and endorsed the following candidates for the Florida Legislature. These and many of our other chapters are continuing the endorsement process over the coming weeks before the primary.
FLORIDA SENATE
| Candidate | Senate District | Chapter Endorsements |
| Linda Stewart | 13 | Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Tina Polsky | 29 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| Shevrin Jones | 35 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Jose Javier Rodriguez | 37 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Candidate | House District | Chapter Endorsements |
| Dianne Krumel | 2 | Emerald Coast Equality (Escambia) |
| Chris Cause | 39 | Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County |
| Jan Barrow | 40 | Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County |
| Jared West | 41 | Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County |
| Barbara Cady | 42 | Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County |
| Anna Eskamani | 47 | Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Carlos Guillermo Smith | 49 | Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Nina Yoakum | 50 | Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus (Brevard) Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Joan Majid | 51 | Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus (Brevard) |
| Lloyd Dabbs | 52 | Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus (Brevard) |
| Phil Moore | 53 | Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus (Brevard) |
| Scott Hottenstein | 57 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| CL Townsend | 58 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Andrew Learned | 59 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Julie Jenkins | 60 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Jessica Harrington | 64 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County |
| Jim Carroll | 85 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
| Jim Bonfiglio | 89 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
| Linda Thompson Gonzalez | 93 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| Jasmen Rogers-Shaw | 95 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| Christine Hunschofsky | 96 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| David Williams Jr | 102 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| Cindy Polo | 103 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Robin Bartleman | 104 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) |
| Javier Estevez | 105 | Dolphin Democrats (Broward) Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Franccesca Cesti-Brown | 115 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Ricky Junquera | 118 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Caucus’ endorsement:
“Our chapters each have rigorous endorsement processes, in order to identify the best candidate to represent the LGBTQ+ community. We are thrilled to echo our local chapters and endorse these candidates for the Florida Legislature because they are committed to full LGBTQ+ equality. We look forward to working with them to finally pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, protect LGBTQ Floridians from discrimination, and advance the cause of equality.”
Susan McGrath, Campaign Director of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, highlighted the opportunities for Democrats:
“This is the strongest field of pro-equality Democrats running for the Florida Legislature in recent memory. We have a real opportunity to flip a number of GOP-held State House and Senate Districts. Our community is proud to support so many equality champions and we look forward to working with them in Tallahassee next year.”
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Virtual Candidate Forum – Leon County Commission, At-Large
July 11th, 2020 Capital Equality Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Virtual Candidate Forum – Leon County Commission, At-Large Capital Equality is proud to partner with the Leon County Democratic Party and local Democratic clubs and caucuses to share a summer series of Virtual Candidate Forums every Saturday afternoon through August 25th! These virtual events will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the Democrats hoping to secure your vote!
The fifth candidate forum will feature Leon County Commission, At-Large, candidates Robin Colson, Carolyn Cummings, Scott Flowers, Jeff Hendry, Danielle Irwin, Kelly Otte, and Melissa Villar this Saturday, July 11th, beginning at 1pm. You can watch via Facebook Live at the Leon County Democratic Party’s Facebook page.
LGBTQ+ Democrats Endorse Joshua Hicks, Angie Nixon, and Ben Marcus
July 1st, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on LGBTQ+ Democrats Endorse Joshua Hicks, Angie Nixon, and Ben Marcus FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2020
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its next round of state legislative endorsements for the 2020 election. After a comprehensive review process, the Caucus membership voted to endorse the following candidates for the Florida House of Representatives:
- Joshua Hicks, District 11
- Angie Nixon, District 14
- Ben Marcus, District 16
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Caucus’ endorsement:
“We are excited to endorse Joshua Hicks, Angie Nixon, and Ben Marcus for the Florida House of Representatives because they are strong candidates who are committed to full LGBTQ+ equality. We look forward to working with them to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, protect LGBTQ Floridians from discrimination, and advance the cause of equality.”
Phillip Perry, Jacksonville resident and Communications Director of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, highlighted the choice for voters:
“With Jacksonville just having passed its Human Rights Ordinance, now is the time to elect more equality champions to finish the job in Tallahassee. We will elect the first openly gay legislator from Northeast Florida, and we will send two more equality champions to Tallahassee, while defeating anti-LGBTQ incumbents in the process.”
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Advisory: Rainbow Joe Biden Caravan in Five Florida Cities
June 27th, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Advisory: Rainbow Joe Biden Caravan in Five Florida Cities FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2020
Grassroots Caravan Event Organized by Biden Supporters
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – In recognition of Pride Month, LGBTQ+ Leaders, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus members, and Joe Biden supporters have organized a Rainbow Caravan across Florida on Saturday, June 27 at 6 PM.
Mayor Dean Trantalis is participating in Fort Lauderdale and Mayor Teri Johnston is participating in Key West. The Caravans will meet at 6 PM tonight at the following locations:
KEYS
Smathers Beach
2601 S Roosevelt Blvd
Key West, FL 33040
MIAMI BEACH
Miami Beach High
2231 Prairie Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
BROWARD
Fort Lauderdale City Hall
100 N Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
ORLANDO
Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista
12521 FL-535
Orlando, FL 32830
TAMPA
Southern Nights
1401 East 7th Ave
Tampa, FL 33605
The Caravans will officially begin rolling through the streets of Florida at 6:20 PM. Volunteers and Joe Biden supporters who organized the Caravans, have made everyone’s safety the top priority in the planning process. All participants are encouraged to adhere to CDC guidelines on social distancing, and will follow all state and local traffic laws.
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Virtual Candidate Forum – Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 2
June 26th, 2020 Capital Equality Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Virtual Candidate Forum – Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 2 Capital Equality is proud to partner with the Leon County Democratic Party and local Democratic clubs and caucuses to host a summer series of Virtual Candidate Forums every Saturday afternoon through August 25th! These virtual events will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the Democrats hoping to secure your vote!
The fourth candidate forum will feature Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 2, candidates Trish Brown, Lynette Halter, Curtis Richardson, and Gerri Seay this Saturday, June 27th, beginning at 1pm. There are two ways to join: you can watch via Facebook Live at the Leon County Democratic Party’s Facebook page, or use the Zoom link below to register.
Video Townhall with Rep. Lois Frankel
June 24th, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on Video Townhall with Rep. Lois Frankel LGBTQ+ Democrats Endorse Jim Kennedy and Adam Hattersley in Their Congressional Races
June 23rd, 2020 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Comments Off on LGBTQ+ Democrats Endorse Jim Kennedy and Adam Hattersley in Their Congressional Races FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2020
DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its next round of endorsements for the 2020 election. After a comprehensive review process, the Caucus membership voted to endorse the following candidates for Congress:
• Jim Kennedy (FL-08)
• Adam Hattersley (FL-15)
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Caucus’ endorsement:
“Jim Kennedy and Adam Hattersley are strong candidates who are committed to full LGBTQ+ equality. We are excited to throw our support behind them, and are grateful for their support of our community. They are bringing a vision of equality to Florida’s 8th and 15th Districts, and they’ll take that with them to Congress.”
Susan McGrath, Campaign Director of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, highlighted the choice for voters:
“They are not only equality champions, they are also strong candidates who will take on Republican incumbents. We urge voters in Florida’s 8th District to choose Jim Kennedy in the November general election and voters in Florida’s 15th District to choose Adam Hattersley in the August primary election.”
Jim Kennedy, candidate for FL-08, reacted to the endorsement:
“I want to thank the LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and community at large for your endorsement of my campaign. I will work to live up to your expectations and will make you proud of the Ally I will be for LGBTQ+ causes as your Representative.”
Adam Hattersley, candidate for FL-15, reacted to the endorsement:
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have the endorsement of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. LGBTQ rights are what first inspired me to get involved in politics, and I look forward to continuing to fight for the protection and expansion of equal rights for all.”
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