October Membership Meeting

The next meeting of the Capital Equality Democratic Caucus will be held onWednesday, October 12, 2016, at 6:30pm. This is one of our most important meetings of the year as we will be discussing (and approving) our endorsements for the November general election!

The membership meeting will be held outdoors at Krewe de Gras, 1304 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, and is open to all Democrats.

Grab a friend and join us for an informative and entertaining session! We hope to see you there!

General Election Candidate Endorsements

The Capital Equality Democratic Caucus is a chartered chapter of the Florida Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies (LGBTA) Democratic Caucus of the Florida Democratic Party. We are united in a common purpose to strengthen and further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, which recognizes and promotes diversity, good will, and respect for all members of the community.

The Caucus may endorse and support Democratic candidates, in accordance with our bylaws, who demonstrate a commitment to the goals and values of the organization and who support equality for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

The endorsement process for the 2016 general election has begun. Candidates desiring to be considered for endorsement by the Caucus must complete the candidate questionnaire linked below by no later than Tuesday, October 11, 2016.

https://goo.gl/forms/1OZCnnDpJnTbIfU12

Should you have any questions, please contact Caucus President Andy Janecek at andy@capitalequality.org.

September Membership Meeting

The next meeting of the Capital Equality Democratic Caucus will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 6:30pm. Unfortunately, Loranne Ausley has had to cancel her appearance due to a conflict. We will instead discuss and review our endorsement plan for the General Election.

The membership meeting will be held at Milano Pizzeria, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, and is open to all Democrats.

Grab a friend and join us for an informative and entertaining session! We hope to see you there

Special Membership Meeting Notice: September 29, 2016

Caucus President Terry Fleming has called a Special Membership Meeting to be held via telephone conference call on Thursday, September 29, 2016, beginning at 8:00pm. The purpose of the call is to consider Caucus endorsements. All members are encouraged to participate.

To connect, dial 218-936-0324 and enter conference code 37825489.

Why LGBT Floridians MUST Elect Hillary Clinton!

Hillary Clinton today gave a speech highlighting how Donald Trump’s is built upon hatred and bullying. Here is an excerpt.

Donald Trump’s campaign is built on prejudice and paranoia. He’s questioned the citizenship of the first African American president, he has a disturbing pattern of courting white supremacists, he’s been sued for housing discrimination against communities of color. He’s attacked a judge for his Mexican heritage, and he’s promised a mass “deportation force.” He has helped an ugly, radical fringe take over one of America’s two major political parties and get within reach of the most powerful office in the world. Throughout this campaign, he’s shown us exactly who he is and what he stands for. We believe him.

Here’s a video of his new campaign “leadership”.

TRUMP ON LGBT AMERICANS:

  • Donald Trump opposes marriage equality.
  • Trump has suggested as president he would appoint Supreme Court justices that would overturn the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage.
  • Trump’s proposed Supreme Court picks had a history of anti-LGBT positions.
  • Trump supported “religious freedom” laws that discriminated against LGBT Americans.
  • Trump would rescind the directives protecting transgender people from discrimination, arguing they were just a “tiny, tiny portion” of the population.
  • Trump supports North Carolina’s hateful HB2 law barring people from using restrooms and other public facilities that correspond to their gender identity.
  • Trump’s religious advisory board contains a number of anti-LGBT activists.

Last Early Vote Weekend

Due to expected inclement weather across the state on Primary Election Day next Tuesday, August 30, the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus urges its members, supporters and friends across the State of Florida to make sure that if they have not voted yet, to do so this weekend.

All Early Voting times & locations can be found here.  Thank you to our partners at Equality Florida for the link to this page!

Open Letter From Florida LGBT Leaders Calling on Marco Rubio to Not Attend Anti-LGBT Rally

Dear Senator Rubio,

Two months ago, the single largest mass shooting in American history occurred in Orlando, targeting the LGBT and Latinx community. LGBT Americans have overcome unimaginable obstacles in their fight for equal rights in this country, and the immense weight of this tragedy will have a profound impact.

In response to the Pulse attack, you focused on how to launch your reelection campaign rather than how you could help your LGBT constituents and their families. Now, as the two month anniversary of the tragedy approaches, you’ve chosen to commemorate the date by speaking at an Orlando rally that opposes equal rights for LGBT Americans.

Senator Rubio, your presence as a guest of honor at a conference featuring vehemently anti-LGBT organizations and speakers legitimizes their discriminatory efforts to deny equal rights to all Americans. Your decision to stand with those who would deny us equality after refusing to stand with your LGBT constituents adds insult to injury.

In the wake of the Pulse shooting, the need for more love, tolerance, and inclusion has never been greater. Your choice to return to Orlando and lend your voice to those who stoke fear and division is unacceptable.

As your constituents and members of Florida’s LGBT community, we urge you to act in the best interest of all Floridians and not attend this rally.

Signed,

Terry Fleming, President of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus
Vivian Rodriguez, President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida
Carlos Guillermo Smith, former Orange County Democratic Executive Committee Chair
Darden Rice, Vice Chair, St. Petersburg City Council

August Membership Meeting with Tallahassee City Commission Candidates

The next meeting of the Capital Equality Democratic Caucus will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at 6:30pm. Our guest speakers include Luther Lee, Scott Maddox, and Bruce Strouble, candidates for Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 1, and Curtis Richardson, candidate for Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 2. Come join the fun and learn more about these important offices.

The membership meeting will be held at Milano Pizzeria, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, and is open to all Democrats.

Grab a friend and join us for an informative and entertaining session! We hope to see you there!

Judicial Candidates Night with Monique Richardson and Layne Smith

Capital Equality, in partnership with The Family Tree LGBT Community Center, will be hosting a non-partisan Judicial Candidates event featuring Monique Richardson and Layne Smith, candidates for Leon County Judge, Seat 2.

The event will be held at Milano Pizzeria, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Grab a friend, a slice of pizza, and join us for casual conversation and an opportunity to learn more about these candidates and the role of a Leon County Judge.

Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus Endorsements

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is proud to announce the following endorsements:

  • President – Hillary Clinton
  • Congress – Debbie Wasserman Schultz, District 23
  • Congress – Bob Poe, District 10
  • State House – Carlos Guillermo Smith, District 49
  • State House – Beth Tuura, District 47

Hillary Clinton has demonstrated not just support for the LGBT community, but a willingness to fight for equality. While in the Senate, she consistently supported legislation to prohibit discrimination, fight against hate crimes and to allow for LGBT individuals to serve their country openly.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a consistent voice for equality in the US House, championing legislation to enhance the rights of LGBT individuals everywhere. She has consistently supported the Caucus and we thank her for that.

Bob Poe is not only running to be the first openly LGBT Congressman from Florida, but also would make history as the first HIV-positive member. We applaud him for his efforts to reduce the stigma that has come with that status.

Carlos Guillermo Smith is no stranger to the Florida Legislature, having served as the legislative aide to former State Rep Joe Saunders. He would be the first openly LGBT Latino member of the State House.

Beth Tuura would be the first openly lesbian member of the State House, a much needed voice in the legislature.

A Chartered Chapter of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus