Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus Welcomes Gala Keynote Speakers

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is thrilled to announce that joining us for our 2016 Leadership Gala in Fort Lauderdale will be keynote speakers Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, D-NY & Hillary for America Campaign Manager Robby Mook as well as guest speaker DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Congressman Maloney was elected to represent New York’s 18th Congressional District in 2012 and reelected in 2014. He is the first openly LGBT member of Congress from New York. He is the co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

Robby Mook is the first openly LGBT campaign manager of a major presidential campaign. His efforts have made Hillary Clinton the first woman to become the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. His other successes include managing the successful reelection campaign of US Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and election of Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia.

Precinct Committeemen & Committeewomen Filing Deadline & Election

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus would like to remind everyone that the deadline for filing to run for Precinct Committeemen & Committeewomen for the Democratic Party is this Friday, June 24, at noon.  You can find the form to file here, get it notarized and then take it to your county’s Supervisor of Elections to file.  Your name will appear on the Aug 30 primary ballot in your precinct.  The winners will be electing county party leadership in December.

Vigil Tonight at the Capitol for Pulse Tragedy

UPDATE: Due to a possible weather threat, the venue has changed to First Presbyterian Church, 110 N Adams St.

Please join us as we come together with all those in the Tallahassee LGBT community this evening for a vigil to honor victims and all those impacted by the tragic shooting this weekend at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

Participating organizations include Equality Florida, Capital Equality, The Family Tree, the Islamic Center of Tallahassee, Mickee Faust, the Tallahassee LGBT Greek Council, and the City of Tallahassee. Remarks will be made by members of these organizations, as well as Mayor Andrew Gillum.

The vigil begins at 6:30pm on the steps of the Old Capitol. In the event of rain, the location will move to First Presbyterian Church, 110 N Adams St.

Get more information at https://www.facebook.com/events/1063260577099583/

Response to Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando

Andy Janecek, President of Capital Equality, a chartered chapter of the Florida Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Democratic Caucus, has released the following statement in response to the horrific acts of terror that took place at Pulse nightclub in Orlando earlier this morning:

“The thoughts and prayers of our members are with the Orlando community and all those affected by this senseless tragedy. Since the early days of the LGBT equality movement, bars and restaurants catering to LGBT clientele have served as social hubs and resources for our community. The terroristic acts that have taken place this morning have tarnished our feelings of safety and security within a space that many of us have frequented,” said Janecek.

He added, “Not since the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, has our community been attacked so aggressively in a space that we called our own. In this time of sadness, we call on all members of the human race, to remember that we share this world as one. Our society is diverse, but we all respond to sadness in the same way. We must work together, as one common family, to rid the world of terrorism and hate and to restore equality and justice for all.”

June Membership Meeting with Clay Ketcham, Akin Akinyemi, Doug Will, Gwen Marshall, Barry Brooks, and Bill Bogan

The next meeting of the Capital Equality Democratic Caucus will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 6:30pm. Our guest speakers include Clay Ketcham, Akin Akinyemi and Doug Will, candidates for Leon County Property Appraiser, and Gwen Marshall, Barry Brooks and Bill Bogan, candidates for Leon County Clerk of Court. Come join the fun and learn more about these important offices.

As this is also our annual meeting, we will be voting on a new budget for the upcoming year and finalizing our organization’s strategic plan. Please take a moment to review this document and provide feedback at the meeting.

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

2016 LGBT Pride Month

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus wishes all of our members, friends and supporters a happy and safe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month!

We take time this month to honor all those who have fought to ensure that we are able to be honest and open about our selves, our lives and our families.

From those who fought for basic human decency at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 to those who won the battle for nationwide marriage equality at the Supreme Court, we thank everyone who has helped advance equality for all! We also thank President Obama for all he has done to advance LGBT equality, including the annual Presidential Proclamation for LGBT Pride Month!

“LGBT individuals deserve to know their country stands beside them.”
– President Barack Obama

While we still have work to do, we encourage everyone to visit Pride celebrations in cities all over Florida! Get active and continue the fight for equality for all Floridians!

Florida’s First Transgender Delegate

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is excited to announce that history has been made!  Monica DePage from Jacksonville has become the first openly transgender delegate elected to the Democratic National Convention from Florida and is pledged to Senator Bernie Sanders.

She was elected on May 7th as a district-level delegate from Florida’s 4th Congressional District and will be joining 29 other lesbian, gay and bisexual delegates at the convention in Philadelphia in July where the next President of the United States will be nominated.

The Caucus congratulates Monica and all of Florida’s LGBT delegates!

Elected LGBT Delegates

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus congratulates the LGBT-identified candidates who won their election as district-level delegates pledged to either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders:

Clinton
Ronnie Helms – 1
Terry Fleming – 5
Georgia Raines – 6
Antonio Silva – 9
Vivian Rodriguez – 9
Brandon Nelson – 10
Bryan Farris – 14
Susan McGrath – 14
Michael Fischer – 16
Percy Johnson – 20
Ken Evans – 22
Marco Giron – 25

Sanders
Daniel Pooler – 2
Monica DePaul – 4
Miguel Valdez – 5
Jacob Tiver – 10
Jan Lund – 14
Sharon Janis – 14
Mitchell Stollberg – 22
Jamie Friend – 23

They will do well representing their congressional district, the LGBT community and the State of Florida with pride at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in late July!

A special congratulations to the 14th Congressional District which elected a majority-LGBT delegation!

2016 Summer Leadership Gala

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is pleased to announce plans for the 2016 Summer Leadership Gala. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded Democrats from all over Florida, as well as elected leaders from federal, state, and local levels of government.

July 9th, 2016
Bahia Mar Hotel
801 Seabreeze Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Gala tickets are $85 and include admission and dinner ($50 for students).  Tickets may be purchased in advance using the links below.  Printed tickets will not be provided.  Your name will appear on our pre-paid list at the door.

Purchase General Admission Tickets ($85)

Purchase Student Admission Tickets ($50)

Tentative Schedule
Cocktails (cash bar) & Social Hour: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Dinner & Program: 6:30 pm – 9:30pm

Hotel Information
A special rate of $119/night has been established for Gala attendees. Click this link to make your reservation online.

Join us as we prepare for victory in 2016! Additional event details will be announced as they become available.  For sponsorship opportunities, contact Caucus President Terry Fleming at president@floridalgbtademocrats.org.

Update: LGBT Candidates for DNC Delegate

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus congratulates the LGBT-identified candidates who won their election as delegates pledged to either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.  They will do well representing their congressional district and the State of Florida with pride at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in late July!

The Caucus also congratulates those LGBT Delegates who ran but didn’t get elected at the District Level. Putting your name forward for any elected position shows commitment and dedication and we thank you for your resolution.  If you wish to be considered but have not yet filed to be an At-Large/Alternate delegate, you can fill out this form and contact the Florida Democratic Party before noon tomorrow, May 9th, for last-minute filing details.

A Chartered Chapter of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus