FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2022

SPRING HILL, FL – Ron DeSantis rushed to sign the heinous Don’t Say Gay bill (HB 1557) today at Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill, even though the Florida legislature had not even sent over the legislation as of last night. Adding insult to injury, DeSantis chose to sign the bill at a charter school that may not even be bound by the vaguely worded legislation.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the bill signing:

“It’s clear where Ron DeSantis’ priorities are. Of all the challenges Florida is facing and bills passed during the legislative session, he jumped at the opportunity to demonize LGBTQ+ Floridians. His shameful bigotry is cynically designed for partisan gain and authoritarian rule at the expense of LGBTQ+ students, educators, and families. It’s not a political game though when lives are on the line.”

Caucus Legislative Director Nathan Bruemmer issued the following statement on the bill’s impact:

“Dedicated LGBTQ+ teachers must hide who they are or risk losing their career. Students with LGBTQ+ parents and siblings won’t be able to talk about their families. We will lose more LGBTQ+ youth to suicide and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ Floridians will increase. These tragedies will be on DeSantis’ hands. Florida’s LGBTQ+ community is sending him a loud and clear message: we will not be erased, and we will fight his hate-filled attacks on us with everything we have.”

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2022

Florida Democratic Party Announces New Arrangements for Leadership Blue Weekend

ORLANDO, FL – Tonight, the Florida Democratic Party announced that it will seek new arrangements for its annual fundraising gala and organizing event.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Leadership Blue announcement:

“Thank you to everyone who reached out to the Florida Democratic Party to support the LGBTQ+ community. We heard from elected officials, candidates, party members, Caucus presidents, and voters, who all are committed to equality. While it may seem like a family squabble that spilled into the street, this situation underscores that the many groups, organizations and individuals that make up the FDP can pull together when the cause is right. We appreciate FDP’s willingness to listen and change course, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership aimed at turning Florida blue in 2022.”

# # #

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2022

Florida Democratic Party Schedules Annual Fundraising Event at a Disney Property During Pride Month

ORLANDO, FL – Just weeks after the Don’t Say Gay bill passed, the Florida Democratic Party announced yesterday that Leadership Blue, its annual fundraising gala and party organizing event, will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on June 17-19, 2022 in Orlando.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Leadership Blue time and location:

“Scheduling Leadership Blue at Disney during Pride Month this year is nothing but tone deaf. To put it another way: FDP — read the room.

“The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus will not support Leadership Blue this year, and we will not participate. We call on Florida’s elected officials and candidates — nearly all of whom routinely pledge to stand with the LGBTQ+ community — to skip this year’s event as well.

“We appreciate that Disney is facing the problem it created by not publicly opposing the Don’t Say Gay bill. But facing the problem isn’t fixing the problem. There is still a long way to go for Disney to earn back the trust and loyalty of its LGBTQ+ employees and guests. We are prepared to work with them to do that.”

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On a 22-17 vote, the Florida Senate joined the Florida House in passing 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.

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

“The Florida Senate joined the Florida House in passing the hateful Don’t Say Gay bill aimed at erasing LGBTQ+ children, educators, and families from schools. It is abundantly clear from the debate that proponents of the bill — even the bill’s sponsor — were unclear on the specifics of the legislation. But while they were unconcerned about the impact on students, they were united in their goal of enacting this unnecessary and harmful bill. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, our partner organizations, and our allies remain firm in continuing to fight for our LGBTQ+ youth. We urge Governor DeSantis to end the virtue signaling of his reelection campaign and veto this bill.”

# # #

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.”

# # #

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.”

# # #

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.”

# # #