FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On a 69-47 vote, the Florida House of Representatives has passed HB 1557, the dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” bill that blocks teachers from talking about LGBTQ issues or people and undermines existing protections for LGBTQ kids in schools. The Senate version (SB 1834) will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the bill’s passage:

“Just when we thought Florida Republicans couldn’t be anymore shameful, their despicable campaign to erase the LGBTQ+ community from public life continues. House passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is the latest in a series of heinous attacks on vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. Republicans don’t seem to care about the harm they are inflicting by using LGBTQ+ youth as political pawns. Our community will hold them accountable for this abuse at the ballot box in November.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2022

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its endorsement for the Jacksonville City Council, At-Large, Group 3 special election being held on February 22. After a careful review of the candidates, only one is the trusted voice that Jacksonville needs. The Caucus is proud to endorse Dr. Tracye Polson.

Dr. Polson released a comprehensive LGBTQ+ equality platform and is holding an LGBTQ+ community town hall tonight that is moderated by Caucus member and fellow Jacksonville City Council candidate Joshua Hicks.

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

“Dr. Tracye Polson is an established ally who understands the issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals from her career as a licensed clinical social worker to her work as a local community leader. She will fight tirelessly to make Jacksonville an even more welcoming community, and she is the trusted voice to carry on the late Tommy Hazouri’s longstanding legacy of supporting equality for all. Dr. Polson deserves the LGBTQ+ community’s full support and vote.”

Caucus Member and Jacksonville City Council, At-Large, Group 2 candidate Joshua Hicks echoed his support:

“Dr. Tracye Polson is an honest leader we can trust. We need her leadership and her fierce determination to do what’s right and move Jacksonville forward towards a stronger, more inclusive future for all of us. I look forward to working with her to address our affordable housing crisis, make Jacksonville more responsive to its vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and bring accountability and transparency to the City Council.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2022

2022 Winter Conference Being Held Feb. 11-13 in St. Petersburg, Lobby Days Feb. 7-11

DELRAY BEACH, FL – It’s an election year and that means Florida Republicans are once again attacking the LGBTQ+ community for political gain.

Today, the Florida Legislature is considering two dangerous pieces of legislation in committee. This morning, the Senate Education Committee shut down testimony and rammed through a party line vote on the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (HB 1557/SB 1834), which blocks teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people and undermines existing protections for LGBTQ+ kids in schools. The “Stop WOKE” Act (HB 7/SB 148) will censor workplaces and schools from teaching honest LGBTQ+ history, Black history, the root causes of injustice and discrimination and more.

As part of its 2022 Lobby Days (Feb. 7-11), the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is advocating for pro-equality measures and against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation with Florida legislators throughout the week.

This weekend, the Caucus will hold its 2022 Winter Conference at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park in St. Petersburg. The conference will feature U.S. Representative Val Demings, U.S. Representative Charlie Crist, Commissioner Nikki Fried, State Senator Annette Taddeo, Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, State Senator Shevrin Jones, State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Rep. Michele Rayner, and many more exciting speakers and informative panels. Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith will receive the Caucus’ Lifetime Leadership Award and former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will receive the Caucus’ Municipal Leadership Award.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement regarding both events:

“So much is at stake this year. We’re watching the Florida legislature debate the LGBTQ+ community’s very existence every day, with Republicans hoping to erase us from public life. We are holding our 2022 Lobby Days and Winter Conference to fight back against partisan attacks on us, underscore just what’s at stake, and get people energized to turn out to vote.”

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Join the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus for “2022 Virtual Lobby Days”

February 7-11, 2022
Virtual via Zoom

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus represents Florida’s LGBTQ+ community to the Florida Democratic Party. As a statewide organization with 21 chapters, our strength lies not only in the size of our organization, but also in our members’ stories. Each and every day we fight for equality and advocate for policies that strengthen our LGBTQ+ community. Lobby Days is an annual event when we have an opportunity to engage directly with our elected officials and make an impact by sharing our stories. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all meetings this year will be virtual via Zoom. Training and resources will be provided to all new and returning Citizen Advocates.

By volunteering for 2022 Lobby Days, you are agreeing to support the legislative agenda and positions of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. All participants must pre-register to attend:

REP. VAL DEMINGS, REP. CHARLIE CRIST, EQUALITY FLORIDA’S NADINE SMITH SPEAKING AT SATURDAY COCKTAIL RECEPTION OF OUR WINTER CONFERENCE

Nadine Smith to Receive Caucus’ Lifetime Leadership Award

Commissioner Nikki Fried, Sen. Annette Taddeo, Commissioner Ken Russell, Mayor Ken Welch, Rep. Michele Rayner Speaking at Conference

Rick Kriseman to Receive Caucus’ Municipal Leadership Award

Welcome Reception, Continental Breakfast, Saturday Lunch Included in Registration Fee

Plus — SUNDAY DRAG BRUNCH! Turn It Up, Turn It Out!

The 2022 Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park is almost here! Our main event, our Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception, will feature US Senate candidate Rep. Val Demings, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist, and Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith, who will receive the Lifetime Leadership Award from the Caucus on Saturday, February 12.

“Turn It Up, Turn It Out!” runs Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13. The in-person event with a virtual livestream option brings together activists, allies, advocates, candidates, elected officials and policymakers for a weekend of planning to turn Florida blue in 2022.

Why does this matter? Because without you we lose!

The Winter Conference at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park (950 Lake Carillon Dr, St. Petersburg, FL 33716) is a spacious venue to allow for ample social distancing with covid protocols in place during all portions of the programming. We will require proof of vaccination or a negative covid test from the last 72 hours to enter, and encourage wearing a mask. The conference is open to all registered Democrats.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND BUY TICKETS

Friday, February 11

Conference Check In, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County
— Gubernatorial candidate Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried
— Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Annette Taddeo
— St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch
–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman receiving the Municipal Leadership Award
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres!

Saturday, February 12

Conference Check In, 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

830am to Noon
MORNING SESSION

830am – 9am
Welcome

• Stephen Gaskill
• Paul Ray, Stonewall Pinellas President
• Lucinda Johnston, Pinellas DEC Chair
• Jim Nixon, St Pete LGBTQ Liaison
• Earl Fowlkes, LGBTQ+ Caucus Chair, Democratic National Committee

9am – 950am
“Is Florida Leading the Way in Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation?” — a panel discussion on efforts in Florida and state legislatures around the country to send us back into the closet

• Joe Saunders, Equality Florida
• Eunic Ortiz
• State Rep. Michele Rayner
• Ryan Wilson, HRC

950am – 1000am
BREAK

1000am – 1050am
“Erasing LGBTQ+ Voices in Schools and Libraries” — a panel discussion on Republican censorship efforts in Florida

• Pinellas School Board member Caprice Edmond
• Florida Education Association Director Brian Kerekes
• Carey Major FL Library Assn
• Nathan Bruemmer, Caucus Legislative Director

1055 – 1150am
“LGBTQ — But the T is Silent” — a panel discussion on the unique challenges facing Florida’s trans community

• Nikole Parker, Director of Transgender Equality, Equality Florida
• Carvelle Estriplet, activist
• Lucas Wehle, activist
• Abbie Aldridge, activist

1150am – Noon
BREAK

Noon – 1pm
LUNCH

“What the Hell is Happening in Tallahassee?”

• Sen. Shevrin Jones
• State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith
• State Rep. Ben Diamond
• Moderator — Al Ferguson

1pm to 3:45pm
AFTERNOON SESSION

1pm – 140pm
Travis Worl — “Communicating to Win” Training session from the Sexton Group

145pm – 220pm
Diversity Committee presentation Unconscious Bias

220pm -230pm
BREAK

235pm – 250pm
Trevor Mallory
President, Democratic Black Caucus of Florida

255pm – 310pm
Sam Alleman
LGBTQ+ Coalitions Director, Democratic National Committee

310pm – 355pm
“Expanding the Rainbow: Attracting Diverse LGBTQ+ Democratic Activists” — a panel discussion examining ways to increase diversity among our chapters and the state caucus with reps from Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco Counties

• Robin Witt
• Enrique Pascual
• Peter Imhoff
• Tyler Barrett
• Moderator: Cory Maston

4pm
ADJOURN
Register for Membership Meeting

415pm to 515pm
MEMBERSHIP MEETING

515pm
ADJOURN

7pm to 9pm
COCKTAIL RECEPTION (separately ticketed)

— US Senate candidate Rep. Val Demings
— Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist
— Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith receiving the Lifetime Leadership Award
— Video Appearance by DNC Chair Jaime Harrison
Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres!

Sunday, February 13
Farewell Drag Brunch, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (separately ticketed)
Sponsored by the Ken Russell Campaign
— US Senate candidate Commissioner Ken Russell
— DJ L MO
— Daphne Ferraro
— Ashlee Bankx
— Juno Vibranz
— Host: Kori Stevens
Cocktails and brunch!

*Welcome Reception, Saturday Continental Breakfast and Saturday Lunch included in registration fee. No fee for the Membership Meeting, but separate registration is necessary. Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception and Sunday Drag Brunch are separately ticketed.

Registration and Tickets

Conference: Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is $45.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception: Tickets for our premiere event for in-person and virtual attendance are $150.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Farewell Drag Brunch: Tickets are $60.
Click here to register for in-person attendance.

Membership Meeting: There is no charge to register for the Membership Meeting.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Our membership meeting is open to all registered Democrats, although only active caucus members may vote. Click here to renew your caucus membership for 2022.

*All registration fees and tickets are non-refundable.

Hotel Reservations
Our hotel room block has closed. Please contact the hotel directly. Click here to book your room.

The Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is open to all registered Democrats.

WITHOUT YOU WE LOSE!

Sponsorships

Click here to review our conference sponsor opportunities.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Rand Snell

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Happening Out Television Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2021

DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its endorsements for the upcoming Broward County special elections on January 11.

After a careful review of the candidates, our local chapter, the Dolphin Democrats, has endorsed Dr. Rosalind Osgood for the Florida State Senate, District 33. The state caucus is echoing this endorsement.

The Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus has also endorsed Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 20.

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

“Both of these candidates are established allies who understand the issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals. They will fight tirelessly in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to move Florida and America closer to full equality, and that’s why they deserve the LGBTQ community’s full support and vote on January 11.”

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Are you ready, Florida — Turn It Up, Turn It Out! It’s the 2022 Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, February 11-13!

We’re gearing up to fight like hell for Florida, and our Winter Conference will get you charged up like nothing else. You know what to expect — fascinating presentations, thought-provoking discussions on major and emerging issues, nationally-known speakers, state and local candidates — and YOU — activists and allies who know what’s at stake in this election.

Florida plays a major role in the direction of the country. Democrats have a story to tell and a positive message of successful actions that are pumping up the economy, ensuring diversity and equality, turning back the pandemic, and preserving our democracy.

While we hope to see you in person, we will also stream the conference virtually. The Winter Conference at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park is a spacious venue to allow for ample social distancing with covid protocols in place during all portions of the programming. We will require proof of vaccination or a recent negative covid test to enter, and encourage wearing a mask.

We’ll announce a program shortly, but here’s what you can expect:

Friday, February 11
Welcome Reception*
Hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County

Saturday, February 12
Continental Breakfast*
Morning Session*
Lunch and Keynote Speaker*
Afternoon Session*
Membership Meeting (no cost, but separate registration)
Evening Cocktail Reception (separately ticketed)

Sunday, February 13
Farewell Drag Brunch (separately ticketed)

*included in registration fee

Registration and Tickets

Conference: Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is $35 through January 21. After then and on-site registration is $45.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception: Tickets for our premiere event for in-person and virtual attendance are $125 through January 21. After then and on-site tickets are $150.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Farewell Drag Brunch: Tickets are $50 through January 21. After then and on-site tickets are $60.
Click here to register for in-person attendance.

Membership Meeting: There is no charge to register for the Membership Meeting.
Click here to register for in-person or virtual attendance.

*All registration fees and tickets are non-refundable.

Hotel Reservations
Our hotel room block is open for reservations. The special room rate is $174 per night (that’s in high season!). There is no charge for parking, and there are no resort fees. These rates are available until the room block is gone, or through January 21. Click here to book your room.

The Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is open to all registered Democrats.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Happening Out Television Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2021

DELRAY BEACH, FL – According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2021 is the deadliest year on record for transgender and gender non-conforming people. Four transgender women have been killed in Florida so far this year:

• Alexus Braxton was killed on February 4 in Miami
• Keri Washington was killed on May 1 in Clearwater
• Royal Poetical Starz was killed on October 2 in Miami Gardens
• Jenny De Leon was killed on November 2 in Tampa

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

“Transgender Day of Remembrance is a time to remember those who lost their lives for being their authentic selves. We must use this day to raise awareness, provide support, and ensure acceptance of our transgender community. LGBTQ+ Floridians and our straight allies must recommit ourselves to continue fighting the rhetoric and the actions that have taken the lives of so many in the transgender and non-binary community, particularly transgender women of color.

“The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is proud of our transgender members, Board members, officers, and those throughout the community. We know there is much more work to be done to protect the lives and dignity of our transgender community. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds us of the violence that took their lives, but provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the fullness of the lives they lived. It is our hope that their memory and legacy spurs us all into action.”

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