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Civil rights groups warn tourists about traveling to Florida

The Associated Press

In this aerial photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, attendees watch and toast the sunset at a Florida Keys bicentennial celebration, Friday, May 19, 2023, on the restored Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Fla. Andy Newman/AP hide caption

In this aerial photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, attendees watch and toast the sunset at a Florida Keys bicentennial celebration, Friday, May 19, 2023, on the restored Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are "openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals."

The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state's largest job sectors.

The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP's board of directors tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida "devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

Critics say Florida aims to rewrite history by rejecting African American studies

An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis' office seeking comment. The Republican governor is expected to announce a run for the GOP presidential nomination this week.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.

Several of Florida's Democratic mayors were quick to say Sunday that their cities welcomed diversity and inclusion.

"EVERYONE is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect," tweeted Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg in a message echoed by the mayor across the bay in Tampa.

"That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee," tweeted Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa.

Disney sues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, claiming 'government retaliation'

The NAACP's decision comes after the DeSantis' administration in January rejected the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course . DeSantis and Republican lawmakers also have pressed forward with measures that ban state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory , and also passed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.

In its warning for Hispanic travelers considering a visit to Florida, LULAC cited a new law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants, among other things. The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics have said is intended to dissuade immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from seeking medical care.

"The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state," said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice president for the Southeast region.

Recent efforts to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, the removal of books with gay characters from school libraries, a recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors, new restrictions on abortion access and a law allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit contributed to Equality Florida's warning.

"Taken in their totality, Florida's slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state," Equality Florida's advisory said.

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Multiple Travel Warnings Have Just Been Issued Against This State

The warnings come from Equality Florida, the Florida Immigration Coalition, and the NAACP's Florida State Conference.

LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Florida has issued a travel warning informing individuals of the risks of visiting and relocating to Florida. “While losing conferences, and top students who have written off Florida threatens lasting damage to our state,” the group wrote, “it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes and moving because school censorship, book bans, and health care restrictions have made their home state less safe for their children.”

The statement highlights the growing concerns of parents who are considering relocating, students unwilling to enroll in state universities, and events and conferences that have been canceled due to hostile policies.

The Florida Immigration Coalition also has also issued a similar warning for immigrants. “Travel to all areas of Florida should be done with extreme caution as it can be unsafe for people of color, individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers. Due to unconstitutional legislation supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and introduced by Legislative Leadership, every county in Florida poses a heightened risk of harassment, possible detainment, and potential family separation based on racial profiling.” 

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The Florida State Conference of the NAACP also voted to issue a travel advisory against Florida. “Any location in America where our history has been erased does not offer us, or our children a bright future,” Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell said.

Unfriendly Bills

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill . Critics have condemned the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, which has banned teachers from educating students about gender identity or sexual orientation in many classrooms. The bill states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Parents have to be notified if there’s a change in the child’s mental or emotional well-being, meaning a child can be outed without their consent or knowledge. If the policy is violated, the bill gives parents the right to sue the school district. 

Now the governor—who may be running for president in 2024—is talking about expanding the law to all grades . 

In 2021, DeSantis curtailed transgender rights when he barred transgender women from playing sports in schools as part of teams intended for people assigned female at birth. Florida has also banned transgender children from receiving gender-affirming care.

Last year, the state passed legislation censoring Black history taught in schools, as well as banning books on race and LGBTQ+ issues .

The governor is making news for many other reasons, too. This month, he quietly signed a bill that allows residents to carry a weapon without a license, training, or background check. Just this week, Florida banned abortions after six weeks.

DeSantis is also involved in a public feud with Disney, ever since the state’s largest corporate employer criticized the Don’t Say Gay bill.

I'll be on a cruise this summer out of Miami-- flying in and out directly without an overnight stay. I regret booking it through that port and I won't in the future. It will be my last visit to Florida, especially as a gay man. I don't expect the situation to improve there, at least not in my lifetime.

As a gay man who live in Florida your statement makes no sense. We are ok for you not coming back. There are a million other people waiting in line behind you to come here. They don't give 2 sh*ts about these blowhards over reactions. 

You people attacking the site need to check yourselves it is a travel service who is providing information to potential customers.  Listen to how you sound.  Just what you have said completely injects politics into this.  If the info doesn't matter to you move on and stop hating on everyone.  People want to just feel informed about where they travel and guess what I have yet to hear any of you deny any of the facts that were provided regarding FL laws because they are the laws and you can't.  All it proves is the hate and fear that lives in your minds and as someone I suspect most of you would quote said.  What would Jesus do?  Look inside yourselves and if you need talk to your pastor, preacher, priest, friends and get some insight to how you sound and appear acting this way.  By the way I live in FL and it is beyond sad to have to explain to your child why the school library pulled every book of the shelf that has been there for decades.  

Exactly! Isn't that disgusting. I used to put Foders on a pedistel when it came to recommendations. 

Florida travel advisory issued by state LGBTQ civil rights group

The group pointed to issues of gun violence, LGBTQ restrictions and more.

Florida’s largest LGBTQ civil rights group has issued a travel advisory for the state.

Equality Florida says the advisory, issued Wednesday, was prompted by “the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office told ABC News in a statement: "We aren’t going to waste our time worrying about political stunts. We will continue doing what is right for Floridians."

Several bills in the state legislature aim to restrict education , programming or curriculum relating to sexual orientation or gender identity in state schools and limit access to transgender health care for people under 18.

Some state policies already restrict these issues, but new bills aim to expand restrictions. Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has also permeated the state legislature, with one lawmaker calling transgender people "demons" and comparing them to "mutants" before apologizing for the statements.

The organization is urging families to consider relocation, asking students to reconsider attending colleges and universities in the state and recommending that conference and event hosts relocate out of state.

“While losing conferences, and top students who have written off Florida threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes and moving because school censorship, book bans and health care restrictions have made their home state less safe for their children,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director, in a statement.

Smith continued, “Whether you stay away, leave or remain we ask that you join us in countering these relentless attacks. Help reimagine and build a Florida that is truly safe for and open to all, and where freedom is a reality, not a hollow campaign slogan.”

DeSantis has made his fight against many diversity and inclusion efforts a centerpiece of his administration.

MORE: Battles over politics, race, LGBTQ issues have made teaching harder, according to new survey

In his election night speech in November, DeSantis asserted: "We reject woke ideology ... We will never, ever surrender to the woke agenda. People have come here because of our policies."

Woke is defined by the DeSantis administration as "the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them," according to DeSantis' general counsel, as reported by The Washington Post.

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Other organizations representing marginalized groups in the state, including the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Florida chapters of the NAACP, have also issued similar travel advisories for the state.

The NAACP advisory came after the state rejected an Advanced Placement African American studies course in high schools.

“Any attempt to intentionally erase or misrepresent Black History is a direct attack on the foundation of comprehensive education,” said NAACP Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell.

He continued, “Any location in America where our history has been erased does not offer us, or our children a bright future."

In a March press conference, DeSantis responded to a reporter asking about the NAACP travel advisory.

“It’s a pure stunt and fine, if you want to waste your time on a stunt, that’s fine,” DeSantis said. “But I’m not wasting my time on your stunt.”

MORE: Map: Where gender-affirming care is being targeted in the US

The news comes as major LGBTQ-oriented events such as Miami Beach’s Pride and Orlando’s Pride Prom are set to take place later this month.

Other events – such as the Out & Equal Workplace Summit and Gay Days, which affects many businesses in Orlando such as SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and more – may also be affected.

ABC News has reached out for comment from the affected companies. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC News.

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Florida travel warnings intensify as state lawmakers strike back

• Mia Taylor TravelPulse (TNS)

A growing chorus of leading civil rights groups are issuing travel warnings about visiting Florida amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ increasingly hostile laws toward women, minorities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community.

On Tuesday, The Human Rights Campaign, which is the country’s largest LGBTQ organization, issued an updated travel advisory designed to highlight laws passed by the state’s Republican-led legislature in what the organization called the “most anti-LGBTQ legislative session in history.”

In total, six anti-LGBTQ bills have recently been passed in Florida and nearly all signed by DeSantis. The organization, however, stopped short of calling for an all-out ban on travel to the state or a boycott. Instead, the move is designed to shine a light on the state’s growing extremist policies.

“The travel advisory outlines the devastating impacts of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety policies, foment racial prejudice, and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum in order that prospective travelers or residents can make the best decisions for themselves and their families,” the organization said in a statement.

This latest announcement comes on the heels of similar statements from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Florida Immigration Coalition and Equality Florida. Each of these organizations have either issued travel or relocation warnings for the state amid its shift to increasingly harsh policies.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said her organization stands in solidarity with the other civil rights groups.

“Because of Ron DeSantis and his frenzied appeal to extremists, LGBTQ+ people in Florida are finding themselves in a state of emergency every single day. Since the day he took office, Governor DeSantis has weaponized his position to weave bigotry, hate, and discrimination into public law for his own political gain. We see it as our duty to join Equality Florida—and LULAC and the NAACP—to provide guidance to our community,” said Robinson.

On Saturday, the NAACP issued a travel advisory and said that the state of Florida has become too hostile to black travelers under DeSantis. In particular, the group noted the state’s efforts to “erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.”

“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon,” NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson said. “He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.”

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Johnson later expanded upon his comments during an interview with CBS News.

“(DeSantis is) using his platform as governor to try to promote ‘otherism,’ or racial hate and division,” Johnson continued. “That should not be the case. And America needs to understand as he prepares to run for the presidency, we cannot stand as a nation another individual occupying the White House with this type of belief system.”

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said Tuesday, meanwhile, that the DeSantis administration has passed some of the strongest anti-immigration laws ever in the state of Florida.

“There’s no question that SB 1718 is the framework for a man who’s bent on getting to the Oval Office over anybody’s back and well-being. It’s sad to see that a man with his potential is stooping to something so low to get to the White House,” David Cruz, spokesman for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said according to News 4 JAX.

LULAC said its travel warning comes in direct response to SB 1718, adding hat Florida’s anti-immigration laws are creating fear in the state of Florida.

The organization previously issued a similar warning for the state of Arizona, which it says caused that state to lose more than $141 million during the initial four months the warning was in place.

The spate of warnings follows an onslaught of policies in Florida that target specific groups of individuals. The policies have included DeSantis’ move to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades and an expansion of the law that has been dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” The state has also rolled back reproductive rights decades under DeSantis, passing a bill to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, when many women do not even yet know they are pregnant.

And at a time when deadly shootings are taking place in this country on a daily and weekly basis, Florida has passed a measure that allows state residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

In a move not unexpected given the state’s hostile laws, various lawmakers in Florida are mocking or ridiculing the warnings by civil rights organizations or striking back in ways that only further undermine the role of elected officials — who are elected to lead rather than engage in antics — further polarizing and alienating Americans.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, for instance, issued his own travel advisory Tuesday addressed to what he called “socialists” visiting the state of Florida.

“Travelers should be aware that attempts to spread Socialism in north Florida will fail and be met with laughter and mockery,” Scott tweeted.

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N.A.A.C.P. Issues Florida Travel Advisory, Joining Latino and L.G.B.T.Q. Groups

The N.A.A.C.P. urged people to consider Florida’s policies on diversity and race under Gov. Ron DeSantis when thinking of traveling there.

By Jesus Jiménez

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on Saturday issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that under Gov. Ron DeSantis the state has become “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and L.G.B.T.Q.+ individuals.”

The N.A.A.C.P. joins the League of United Latin American Citizens , a civil rights organization that issued a Florida travel warning on Wednesday, and Equality Florida , a gay rights advocacy group that issued one last month.

The N.A.A.C.P.’s travel advisory does not explicitly recommend against travel to Florida. But it urges travelers to be aware of the state’s politics, and the organization said that “the governor and the state of Florida have shown that African Americans are not welcome in the state of Florida.”

The N.A.A.C.P. said in a statement on Saturday that the travel advisory was in “direct response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida schools.”

The advisory comes after Mr. DeSantis last week signed legislation defunding diversity programs at the state’s public universities and colleges. The advisory also cited concerns with a number of other laws recently passed in Florida regarding voting rights and concealed carry of guns.

Mr. DeSantis’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

After signing the legislation last week on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Mr. DeSantis said that the law would ensure “Florida’s institutions encourage diversity of thought, civil discourse and the pursuit of truth for generations to come.” Mr. DeSantis has often spoken out about what he describes as “woke indoctrination” and leftist agendas in schools.

It is not clear how much influence the statements will have on travel to Florida. But they demonstrated, along with his escalating disputes with Disney, how Mr. DeSantis’s reliance on conservative culture war issues as he gears up for what is expected to be a presidential run was colliding with the state’s signature industry.

Disney on Thursday announced it was backing off a plan to build an office complex in Orlando that would have cost about $1 billion and brought thousands of jobs to the state.

Derrick Johnson, the president and chief executive of the N.A.A.C.P., said in a statement on Saturday that under Mr. DeSantis’s leadership, Florida had “become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon.”

“Let me be clear,” Mr. Johnson said, “failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all.”

Dana Young, president and chief executive of Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing corporation, called the travel advisories a “political stunt” most likely to hurt people in Florida who depend on tourism to support themselves and their families.

“It is disappointing when partisan organizations attempt to weaponize travel in pursuit of political ends,” she said.

While the N.A.A.C.P.’s travel advisory follows the new legislation restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Florida schools, the travel advisory from the League of United Latin American Citizens, or L.U.L.A.C., cited concerns about legislation signed by Mr. DeSantis earlier this month that focused on undocumented immigrants.

The legislation will require private employers in Florida with 25 or more workers to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. It will also invalidate ID cards issued to undocumented immigrants in other states, such as New York , and it will require Florida hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients whether they are U.S. citizens or whether they are “lawfully present” in the country.

David Cruz, a L.U.L.A.C. spokesman, said on Sunday that depending on an individual’s immigration status, the organization’s travel advisory was either a warning not to travel to Florida or an advisory to be cautious while traveling there.

Domingo Garcia, the national president of L.U.L.A.C., said at a news conference on Wednesday that Florida was using “immigrants as political piñatas for the purposes of basically just getting votes.”

In addition to issuing a travel advisory, Mr. Garcia said that L.U.L.A.C. was considering filing a lawsuit in federal court against the state of Florida when the legislation goes into effect in July. Mr. Cruz said the organization was also planning protests “in key Florida cities with significant Latino essential worker populations.”

Equality Florida issued its travel advisory last month, citing concern with a number of laws in Florida, including last year’s passage of legislation that prohibits classroom instruction and discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in some elementary school grades, a law that is often referred to by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Nadine Smith , the executive director of Equality Florida, said in a statement last month that her organization had to respond with a travel advisory “as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms.”

L.U.L.A.C. officials pointed to the economic impact suffered by Arizona after the state passed legislation in 2010 that was viewed as the nation’s toughest effort to crack down on illegal immigration and criticized as encouraging racial profiling. A study at the time found that Arizona lost about $141 million alone in conference business after the state passed its legislation.

Lydia Guzmán, the chair of L.U.L.A.C.’s national immigration committee and state director for the organization in Arizona, said the state took a serious economic hit as a result of adverse reaction to the legislation.

“I see that happening also in Florida,” Ms. Guzmán said.

Jesus Jiménez is a general assignment reporter. More about Jesus Jiménez

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NAACP says Florida travel warning is just the start of organizing effort

Advisory about state’s ‘active hostility’ is beginning of campaign to engage voters ahead of DeSantis presidential run, leaders say

Leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) say its travel advisory highlighting Florida’s “active hostility” to minorities is only the beginning of a campaign to engage voters in the state and nationally, as the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, prepares to launch his presidential run on Wednesday.

Leon Russell, chair of the NAACP, also told the Guardian that the group rejected calling for an economic boycott of the state similar to one that ended with South Carolina lowering the confederate flag in 2015.

“Very simply put, we questioned the effectiveness of a boycott,” Russell said. “In Florida , this is about the politics of the situation and so people need to buckle in and organize, and get themselves arranged to deal with elections and the consequences of the elections.

“It’s to make the general public across the nation fully aware of what’s happening here in Florida. The legislative actions that concern us cover a broad gamut, not just Black history, not just public education, but what we consider to be attacks on different groups of people who make up the state of Florida.

“We’re not saying, ‘Don’t come to Florida, don’t spend your money here,’ we’re saying if you are coming, come to an entertainment center that supports diversity, equity and inclusion, go to companies that support all groups of people, corporations that have spoken out in favor of human rights rather than trying to restrict them.”

DeSantis, who has signed into law a raft of legislation targeting African Americans , including an assault on Black voting rights , is planning to launch his long-anticipated presidential run on Wednesday night in conversation with the owner of Twitter, Elon Musk. Russell, however, said the timing of the NAACP advisory was coincidental.

“Whether it be immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, women and reproductive rights, or voting rights, there are any number of issues that the Florida legislature and the governor have taken up, and we believe that all of those things generally the public needs to be aware of,” he said.

“People have to talk about [DeSantis’s] record but they have to talk about the record of every candidate and compare everyone running for office, whether it’s at the primary level or way up.

“In 2024 is not just the presidential election, there are other elections, and we have really one party dominating all the politics in the state of Florida.”

Conservatives reacted swiftly to the NAACP’s advisory on Monday, with DeSantis’s spokesperson calling it “a stunt” and Christian Ziegler, chair of the Florida Republican party, offering to help pay for Russell to move out of the state from his home in Tampa.

Russell called Ziegler’s offer “BS”. “Frankly, we didn’t tell anyone to leave,” he said. “We look at this as a way to build participation in the electoral process, and that we do it from the bottom up, not just presidential politics, but local politics as well.

“We said that we would take this into a civic engagement program, that we will collaborate with other groups on all of the issues that we’ve talked about, whether it’s redistricting, whether it’s women’s reproductive rights or whatever.”

The NAACP advisory follows a similar statement issued last month by the advocacy group Equality Florida, which warned of “the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state” following various anti-LGBTQ+ legislation signed by DeSantis.

But overall, Russell said he is optimistic that voters around the country will take developments in Florida with them to the ballot box next year.

“Ron DeSantis’s campaign against wokeness has awakened the people, and is awakening the people,” he said.

“And that’s the whole point here, to make sure that people are aware, that they’re not asleep, that they’re not apathetic, that they understand the importance of the political process and clearly understand their role in that process.

“That’s our work, not to go out and campaign against Ron DeSantis or Donald Trump or anyone else, but to go out and clearly state what the issues are and what our position is.”

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• US politics

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The Florida Immigrant Coalition issues travel warning for Florida 

A national advisory warning immigrants on travel to Florida has been issued by The Florida Immigrant Coalition for what the group said was unsafe conditions for immigrants and their loved ones.

"Due to unconstitutional laws being passed in the state aiming to criminalize immigration and invite harassment of people without a regulated immigration status, every county in Florida now poses a high risk of unlawful detainment and potential family separation based on racial profiling," a media release issued by the group said. "Not only is this an attack on immigrants, but U.S. citizens and people who hold other migratory statuses could be charged with a felony if traveling or housing themselves with someone without a regulated immigration status."

The group said Governor Ron DeSantis is exercising an overreach of his power by criminalizing residents of other states who have legally issued licenses given to them by their states’ governments after meeting the requirements.

“We cannot in good conscience advise people to travel to a state where pretty soon they may be harassed by law enforcement and told their legally issued driver's licenses are invalid which could trigger a sequence of events where there is a potential for that person to never return home to their state but instead be swept up by immigration detention,” Adriana Rivera, Communications Director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said. “With political leaders in the state creating an increasingly hostile atmosphere for non-white citizens, many local officials are now feeling pressured to comply with unconstitutional directives that call into question their commitment to the safety of all those who reside in their communities.”

The Florida Immigrant Coalition is a statewide collective of more than 65 member organizations and over 100 allies, founded in 1998 and formally incorporated in 2004. 

Details of the advisory are attached and can be found at floridatraveladvisory.com .

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our communities and it is clear that our rights and civil liberties are under attack in Florida,” Rivera said. “For immigrants and people of color, it is vital that you understand that traveling to the state of Florida right now could put you and your family in immediate danger of unlawful detention and harassment within the state.”

A similar advisory was urged earlier in April by the Florida State Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to its national board.

In addition to the threat of detainment, recent changes in Florida call into question the availability of emergency medical or public safety services for all those without a regulated immigration status and with legally issued driver’s licenses from other states as a form of identification.

If travel to the state cannot be avoided, immigrants and people of color should be aware of resources that are available to them should they find themselves facing legal jeopardy.

“We are urging everyone who must travel to Florida to make a Safety Plan for themselves and their families before they arrive in the state,” advised David Metellus, Director of Policy and Politics for the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “All those visiting Florida should memorize the phone number of a licensed civil liberties or immigration attorney, discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care or custody of children, pets, and belongings, and be aware of the resources available to them through organizations on the ground dedicated to protecting their safety.”

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NAACP Issues Travel Advisory in Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 20, 2023

Contact: Chyna Fields [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Today, the NAACP Board of Directors issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida. The travel advisory comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools. 

The formal travel notice states, "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color." 

"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."

The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP's Florida State Conference. NAACP's collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body. 

"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell. "We will not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."

Following Gov. DeSantis' so-called leadership in driving the state to reject students' access to AP African American studies course in March, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers's Reading Opens the World program. The majority of the books donated were titles banned under the state's increasingly restrictive laws. The NAACP continues to encourage local branches and youth councils to start community libraries to ensure access to representative literature.

The NAACP encourages Florida residents to join this effort to defeat the regressive policies of this Governor and this state legislature. Interested residents and supporters can visit www.naacp.org for additional information and updates. 

About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

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Equality Florida Issues Advisory Warning For Travel

ST. PETERSBURG, FL --  Today, Equality Florida took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state. The move comes in response to a wave of safety inquiries Equality Florida has received following the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice, and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum. 

“As an organization that has spent decades working to improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live work and visit, it is with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it is safe to travel to Florida or remain in the state as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director . “While losing conferences, and top students who have written off Florida threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes and moving because school censorship, book bans and health care restrictions have made their home state less safe for their children. We understand everyone must weigh the risks and decide what is best for their safety, but whether you stay away, leave or remain we ask that you join us in countering these relentless attacks.  Help reimagine and build a Florida that is truly safe for and open to all, and where freedom is a reality, not a hollow campaign slogan.”

Governor Ron DeSantis, who has made the extremist policies the centerpiece of his presidential campaign strategy, has weaponized state agencies to silence critics and impose sanctions on large and small  companies that dissent with his culture war agenda or disagree with his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Already, the adopted and proposed policies detailed in the travel advisory have led Florida parents to consider relocating , prospective students to cross Florida colleges and universities off their lists , events and conferences to cancel future gatherings , and the United States military to offer redeployment for service members whose families are now unsafe in the state. Businesses have spoken out against the governor’s abuse of state power to punish dissent, with Disney CEO Bob Iger calling DeSantis “ anti-business and anti-Florida .” The worsening attacks, especially those targeting transgender youth, have also led to the proposal of policies around the country to provide refuge for those fleeing states like Florida. 

The Florida Immigrant Coalition, a statewide immigrant rights coalition of 65 member organizations and over 100 allies, also issued a travel advisory today , urging reconsideration of travel to Florida and providing critical information about where immigrant travelers can learn more about their constitutional rights. And just weeks ago, Florida chapters of the NAACP voted unanimously to request similar warnings to the Black community about the risk of traveling or relocating to the state.

Equality Florida's full travel advisory follows.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

To: Interested Parties

From: Equality Florida

Subj.: TRAVEL ADVISORY: FLORIDA MAY NOT BE A SAFE PLACE TO MOVE OR VISIT

Date: April 12, 2023

Today, Equality Florida took the unprecedented step of issuing a travel advisory to individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and students warning that Florida may not be a safe place to visit or take up residence. The advisory comes after passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws and allow untrained, unpermitted carry, and foment racial prejudice. The Governor has also weaponized state agencies to impose sanctions against businesses large and small that disagree with his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Florida has recently adopted a slate of hateful laws, and is fast-tracking additional measures that directly target the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and basic freedoms broadly. Already, those policies have led Florida parents to consider relocating , prospective students to cross Florida colleges and universities off their lists , events and conferences to cancel future gatherings , and the United States military to offer redeployment for service members whose families are now unsafe in the state. These laws and policies are detailed below.

Assaults on Medical Freedom

Florida’s Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy have adopted policies banning access to lifesaving medical care for transgender youth and the Agency For Health Care Administration has eliminated Medicaid coverage for transgender adults accessing that care

Florida is poised to pass laws creating criminal penalties for medical providers who provide medically necessary care for transgender youth, weaponizing the courts to shred existing child custody agreements and reassign transgender youth to an unsupportive parent, and severely restricting access to prescribed medical care for transgender adults

Florida has passed or is poised to pass bills that restrict access to reproductive health care, including a near-total abortion ban, which threatens to force people to travel out of state or seek unsafe, illegal abortions.

These policies disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including the direct impacts on the transgender community and communities of color, and could lead to serious health consequences. Transgender people in Florida are facing the immediate threat of loss of lifesaving, medically necessary care and families risk interference in child custody arrangements at the hands of an unsupportive parent and a weaponized state court system. These attacks pose an imminent threat to the health and safety of all in Florida and potential travelers should be aware of the risks.

Assaults on Academic Freedom

The Florida legislature has sought to strip Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from colleges and universities, that help LGBTQ and minority students thrive

The Governor has initiated a hostile, right-wing takeover of higher education, and installed partisan allies to implement a conservative overhaul of public universities

His administration has taken aim at AP African American studies, threatening to sever ties with the College Board over the inclusion of queer history and intersectionality in the course, and college majors, including gender studies

These actions by the Governor pose a serious threat to academic freedom, free speech, and the pursuit of knowledge. DEI departments play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, and their removal undermines the ability of students and faculty to engage in critical discussions about issues of race, gender, and identity.

Furthermore, the replacement of university presidents with political appointees threatens the independence of higher education institutions, and undermines the ability of these institutions to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students, faculty, and staff. These attacks on public education are deeply concerning, and further reinforce the message that Florida is not a welcoming state for people from all backgrounds. We urge individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and students to consider the implications of traveling to or residing in Florida, and to support efforts to defend public education and academic freedom in the state.

Censorship and Erasure of the LGBTQ Community

Florida has passed a prohibition on classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools

This law has already precipitated a raft of damaging impacts in school districts across the state, including

Hundreds of book challenges and bans targeting titles written by LGBTQ authors and/or including LGBTQ characters

The refusal of districts like Miami-Dade to recognize LGBTQ History Month

The removal of rainbow Safe Space stickers

The censorship of graduation speech content to remove references to LGBTQ identities

Warnings to educators and administrators to hide family photos

Lawmakers are currently considering a bill to extend that prohibition through 8th grade, while the Department of Education is set to decide on a policy proposal that would expand it to all grades and revoke teacher licenses over violations 

Florida is poised to pass a bill that would ban transgender people from updating their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity 

The infamous Don’t Say LGBTQ law has made Florida synonymous with the anti-LGBTQ movement to empower government censorship and book banning across the nation. That law, along with additional proposals being considered, has turned the state’s classrooms into political battlefields and is telegraphing to LGBTQ families and students that they are not welcome in Florida.

Assaults on Arts, Entertainment, and Sports Participation

Florida has passed a ban on transgender women and girls from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity

Lawmakers are poised to pass restrictions on certain live drag performances, stage shows, and local pride celebrations, limiting parents’ ability to determine what content may be suitable for their families

The far-right’s obsession with drag queens has put LGBTQ people in physical danger across the country, but especially in Florida. In 2022 alone, the LGBTQ media organization GLAAD found 141 incidents of anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting drag events. Right-wing media like Fox News and Libs Of TikTok have misrepresented what occurs at drag events and taken examples out of context to create fear and misunderstanding. This has had real world consequences, with protests and threats of violence against venues hosting drag shows. 

In Florida, Orlando organizers were forced to cancel Drag Queen story hour due to threats from Neo-Nazis . This last December in Lakeland , masked individuals in Nazi gear, waving Nazi flags ambushed a charity event hosted by drag queens while projecting hateful messages onto local buildings.

Assaults on Business

DeSantis has recently signed a bill that restricts businesses from providing diversity and inclusion training to their employees, a blatant attempt to dictate to businesses what they can and cannot do, and to prevent them from training their employees to be better prepared for a diverse workforce and customer base

The Florida legislature is expected to pass SB 1438, which weaponizes state agencies with more power to politically target LGBTQ-friendly businesses who open their doors to live drag performances, with threats of fines, license revocation, and jail time. Individuals that admit minors with an accompanying parent would be charged with first degree misdemeanor crimes.

The governor has weaponized the state legislature against businesses that stand with their LGBTQ employees and clients and against his agenda, most notably wielding two special sessions of the legislature to punish Disney, the state’s largest single-site employer

The Miami Herald recently reported that DeSantis-controlled agencies sought to punish and revoke the liquor license of an Orlando establishment that hosted a live drag performance even after the state’s own investigators reported that they saw nothing “lewd”. The discriminatory targeting of LGBTQ-friendly businesses by the state will have a broader chilling effect over drag performances, an intended consequence of this type of censorship.

Disney has also recently denounced the governor’s actions against them, with CEO Bob Iger calling the state’s policies “ anti-business and anti-Florida .”

These laws and actions are harmful to businesses and their employees, as they undermine efforts to create inclusive workplaces and hinder the ability to effectively engage with diverse customers and clients. It also sends a message that Florida is not a welcoming state for people from all backgrounds and that discrimination is acceptable.

Efforts to Foment Racial Prejudice

Florida has passed a bill that would limit the honest teaching of history and systemic racism in schools

The state passed another that restricts voting access for people of color and is currently considering additional voting restrictions

DeSantis’ new elections police have abused their power to aggressively target and prosecute returning citizens, mostly Black Floridians, for voting after official government entities told them they were eligible to vote    

These laws create an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people of color, and other marginalized communities. They send a message that discrimination and prejudice are acceptable in Florida, and we cannot in good conscience encourage people to visit or move to a state that is openly hostile to their basic human rights.

As a result of these dangerous and discriminatory laws, we urge individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and students to reconsider travel plans to Florida and to consider the impact that their travel and economic choices can have on promoting equality and justice for all.

Repealing of Gun Safety Laws

The passage of deadly permitless carry makes Floridians less safe and signals the reversal of the progress made after Pulse and Parkland. Coupled with the state’s infamous Stand Your Ground law, Permitless Carry threatens to exacerbate Florida’s violent crime rate at a time when the state’s homicide rate ranks 20th in the nation, exceeding both California and New York. 

LGBTQ Floridians know all too well that the gun lobby's obsession with easy access to deadly weapons can make hatred and bigotry lethal . Gun violence is not abstract or hypothetical -- it is stealing our loved ones. Those considering travel to Florida should weigh the potentially deadly consequences of the DeSantis Administration’s decision to eliminate basic training and permitting requirements in order to concealed carry a firearm.

Attacks on Immigrant Communities

Florida has passed and is poised to pass legislation targeting immigrant communities, with consequences that could include arrest for operating a vehicle, no matter the state you are from, reduced access to health care services, and compromised safety. A bill currently being considered by the Florida legislature could impose criminal penalties on any who shelter, support, or provide transportation to undocumented immigrants. And these moves come just months after Governor DeSantis trafficked migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in a cruel scheme to use their suffering as campaign marketing material.

The threats posed to immigrants in Florida led the Florida Immigrant Coalition to issue its own advisory urging reconsideration of any travel to the state. That advisory can be found here .

Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state. We regret that these attacks have already led many to flee the state and are driving others to consider relocation. And, in a state whose economy is fueled by visitors from around the world, it is with great sadness that Equality Florida has had to take the extraordinary step of responding to inquiries by issuing an official advisory warning about the risks of travel to the state.

Equality Florida will continue providing information and resources to those impacted by these laws and policies. Visit our Open Doors Florida directory to find businesses with nondiscrimination policies and procedures. And if you experience discrimination, report it to our team here or call our Main Office at 813-870-3735.

It is our hope that those Floridians who can, will stay and engage more deeply in the fight against the state’s all-out assaults on democracy and freedom. This moment calls for a grassroots movement in defense of justice and equality for all -- so that we can turn back the tide of right wing authoritarianism, recommit to building a state that is safe and open to all, and once again celebrate Florida as a free state.

Your Final Resistance Report for 2024: We’re Turning The Tide

Historic settlement achieved in challenge to florida’s “don’t say gay or trans” law, equality florida responds to the arrest of walt lay's killer, resistance report week 8: the final 7 days of session, florida house passes bills expanding censorship and government control agenda, february 2024, resistance report week 7: anti-trans bill on the move, equality florida's response to the tragic death of nex benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary high school student in oklahoma, statement: anti-transgender bill passes final florida house committee, the power of unity: embracing our lgbtq community, resistance report week 6: keeping the pressure on, release: equality florida to honor fred p. hochberg at 2024 miami celebration, resistance report week 5: victory on the frontlines, equality florida's response to pride flag ban bill stalling in florida senate, resistance report week 4: an unprecedented attack, january 2024, equality florida condemns new desantis administration policy denying legal 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week 9: anti-lgbtq bills fast-tracked through the legislature, florida legislature passes gender affirming care ban, florida legislature passes anti-transgender bathroom bill, florida legislature expands “don’t say lgbtq” law, restricts parental rights, resistance report week 8: drag queens and allies descend on the capitol, equality florida denounces governor desantis for abusing power to silence dissent, resistance report week 7: 3 anti-lgbtq bills passed the house, parents and teachers across florida slam board of education and desantis for “don’t say lgbtq+” expansion, joining human rights campaign and equality florida in urging floridians to oppose discrimination against lgbtq+ students and families, resistance report week 6: the fight back & protests continue, resistance report week 5: they’re rubber stamping desantis’ slate of hate – but we’re still fighting back, resistance report week 4: bad bills head to the floor, hundreds of students rally at the capitol as house passes don’t say lgbtq expansion, psychologist blasts reps. fine & massullo for lying about research, resistance report week 3: the attacks are escalating, list of statewide rallies for our rights, resistance report week 2: here's what you need to know, hundreds attend pride at the capitol to condemn desantis’ anti-lgbtq agenda, resistance report week 1: what can you do to get involved, tampa bay lightning and orlando magic celebrate lgbtq community by honoring equality florida leaders, 2023 equality florida legislative slate, bill to criminalize gender affirming care filed in florida senate, representative randy fine files bill to ban transgender floridians, february 2023, bill filed to expand florida’s harmful “don’t say lgbtq” law, florida house hosts sham panel on gender affirming care, spring 2023 fellows, florida boards of medicine and osteopathy align, advance rule to ban gender affirming care for trans youth, january 2023, equality florida condemns filing of permitless firearm carry bill, florida state board of education adopts new rules designed to confuse & intimidate educators, december 2022, meet our safe and healthy schools team, equality florida press secretary testifies before congress on anti-lgbtq extremism & violence, #honorthemwithaction on colorado gives day, equality florida denounces desantis inspired anti-lgbtq extremists’ rally in fort lauderdale, november 2022, equality florida responds to horrific attack at colorado springs' club q, what happened in florida is a warning, florida boards of medicine and osteopathy finalize rules to restrict lifesaving care for transgender youth, october 2022, florida boards of medicine and osteopathy advance rule to ban lifesaving care for transgender kids, florida board of education passes new sweeping anti-lgbtq rules, meet the fellows: fall 2022, judge blames desantis/gop toxic rhetoric and school district overreach for hostile anti-lgbtq actions; lawsuit against don't say lgbtq dismissed on technicalities, september 2022, equality florida's brandon wolf to introduce vice president kamala harris, release: in fight against ron desantis, coalition of major lgbtq groups back charlie crist for governor, equality fl responds to miami dade public schools vote to reject lgbtq history month, release: equality florida action pac backs crist for governor, august 2022, openly-lgbtq candidates score wins on primary election night, agency for health care administration strips care from 9,000+ transgender floridians, equality florida responds to weaponizing of florida department of education against nondiscrimination protections, ‘don’t say lgbtq’ law, already harming students, goes into effect, equality florida responds to scotus decision to overturn roe v. wade, equality florida decries proposed rule to eliminate medicaid coverage for gender affirming care, new out leadership report shows anti-lgbtq laws making florida less welcoming for businesses, equality florida responds to ahca report on treatment of gender dysphoria, meet the fellows: summer 2022, equality florida executive director nadine smith named to time100, fears vindicated as “don’t say gay” legislation harms florida students, spring 2022 fellowship farewell, equality florida responds to fl department of health guidance opposing affirming care for transgender children, equality florida joins lawsuit to challenge 'don’t say gay' law, governor ron desantis signs discriminatory ‘don’t say gay’ bill into law, 2022 post-florida legislative session review, equality florida condemns passage of the "don't say gay" bill by the florida legislature, florida senate rejects reasonable amendments to "don’t say gay" bill, full vote looms, statement: equality florida condemns anti-lgbtq remarks by desantis spokesperson, equality florida celebrates powerful statewide student walkouts opposing "don't say gay" bill, february 2022, 24 local chambers of commerce join h&m, j. crew, lush fresh homemade cosmetics, ben & jerry’s and 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city of orlando raises transgender pride flag in honor of the international transgender day of visibility, fl legislature risks losing ncaa events by fast tracking trans sports bans, press release: professor cited in defense of trans sports ban bill urges defeat of hb 1475, equality florida and allies call for an end to attacks on trans kids, equality florida's full 2021 legislative slate, february 2021, all eyes on rubio & scott as house passes the equality act, equality florida calls for swift passage of the equality act, equality florida celebrates passage of hate crimes law expansion through senate criminal justice committee, equality florida hires diverse cohort of 2021 spring interns, florida competes commends fchr for recognizing federal bostock ruling as florida standard, victory: florida will protect lgbtq civil rights, equali-tea newsletter: february 2021, january 2021, president biden reverses ban on transgender service members, stakes lgbtq issues as top priority, biden-harris administration sign lgbtq executive order on day one, equality florida's statement on the inauguration of biden-harris administration, historic first for trans equality: biden appoints dr. rachel levine as assistant secretary of health, the year for lgbtq equality is here, december 2020, equality florida's 2021 equality agenda, november 2020, historic: joe biden & kamala harris win 2020 presidential election, 2020 general election results, october 2020, equality florida condemns voter intimidation attempts in alachua county, equality florida action responds to desperate and cynical “trump pride" sham, equality florida to honor representative anna v. eskamani, highlight historic elections program at virtual gala, equality florida to remember mayor justin flippen, and honor chasten buttigieg with “voice for equality” award at annual celebration: saturday, november 7, statement from joe saunders re: jason brodeur’s new ad doubling down on lies about his homophobic adoption policy, equality florida action pac makes its first clerk of court endorsement ever, jimmy midyette, equality florida hires largest statewide lgbtq election team in us, jason brodeur’s anti-lgbtq record prompts florida’s largest lgbtq pac to set the record straight with $125,000 ad campaign, florida advisory committee to the u. s. commission on civil rights releases advisory memorandum: voting rights and voter disenfranchisement in florida, equality florida, step up for students partner to expand culture of inclusion for lgbtq students, september 2020, equality florida action, inc. endorses joe biden for president, august 2020, position statement on hiv and covid-19 sign-on by florida organizations, blog: transgender americans are being murdered. does anyone care, historic night for black lgbtq candidates in florida, equality florida action pac launches virtual days of action for 2020 election, equality florida condemns blatant transphobia from ​​​​​​​house candidate cris dosev, equality florida's response to the investigation of davie police chief dale engle for homophobic remarks, press release: equality florida joins civil rights groups and thousands of county residents call for civilian oversight of miami-dade police, florida marriage equality plaintiff named co-chair of ​​​​​​​equality florida’s board of directors, breaking: equality florida action pac endorses michele rayner for state house district 70, celebrate juneteenth by supporting black trans-led organizations, lgbtq organizations unite in calling for transformational change in policing, u.s. supreme court makes major decision on lgbtq civil rights, equality florida honors victims of pulse nightclub tragedy, racial violence; launches largest-ever election program, equality florida hosts lgbtq #blacklivesmatter town hall on june 3 at 6 pm, lgbtq organizations unite to combat racial violence, virtual town hall series, transchat, continues important dialogue, equality live reaches audience of 20,000 and raises a remarkable $56,817 during the live broadcast, grammy-winning artists, u.s. senator elizabeth warren to appear on equality florida’s “equality live”, we’re in this together, covid-19 and the transgender community, election day: protect your health and democracy, events cancelled / postponed: equality florida’s response to covid-19, february 2020, mid-session update on 2020 legislative priorities, 39 florida school districts gather for at-capacity, lgbtq-inclusive training, families of transgender youth fight back against attacks from florida legislature, lgbtq families speak out against "transgender youth medical care ban", january 2020, florida legislature increases attacks on lgbtq community, anti-lgbtq bill moves forward despite opposition from floridians, equality florida highlights attacks on lgbtq floridians, calls on lawmakers to pass statewide protections, equality florida's 2019 year in review, press release: slate of anti-lgbtq bills dominate florida legislative session, equality florida's 2020 priority legislative slate, december 2019, equality florida, impact fund, nclr lead civil rights groups brief in florida appeals court fight to protect local human rights ordinances, november 2019, meet the interns: fall 2019, 2019 transgender day of remembrance & visibility events, equality florida, senator josé javier rodríguez, & ​​​​​​​representative michael grieco, urge lawmakers to protect lgbtq children from conversion therapy, october 2019, the epidemic of transgender violence in florida and the missteps that follow, equality florida applauds introduction of hiv modernization bills, equality florida to honor agriculture commissioner nikki fried with “voice for equality” award at annual gala: saturday, nov. 9, equality florida to honor transgender community leader at annual greater orlando gala, equality florida to present zach dishinger with “youth voice for equality award” at annual gala: saturday, nov. 9, outlier ruling endangers minors, enables abusive conversion therapy in tampa, equality florida applauds passage of miami-dade lgbtq advisory board, out & equal founder selisse berry joins equality florida board of directors, september 2019, south florida update: fort lauderdale and miami dade make progress, rep. shevrin jones honored, and south fl staff grows, equality florida responds to adjustments in pasco county school policy for lgbtq students, statement: senator rick scott’s failure to fund hiv prevention fueled florida’s epidemic, robin schwartz, longtime lgbtq leader, joins equality florida staff, august 2019, bipartisan trio of powerful women will lead fl's fight for lgbtq nondiscrimination in 2020 session, equality florida action pac endorses buddy dyer for mayor of orlando, educators across florida welcome lgbtq students back to school, act now: protect transgender and gender non-conforming healthcare, press release: equality florida action pac endorses shevrin jones for senate district 35, meet the interns: summer 2019, #honorthemwithaction campaign reaches over 143 million people, equality florida's stratton pollitzer reflects on 3-years since pulse, remember and honor the 49 with action, big win for lgbtq-owned businesses in ​​​​​​​st. petersburg, advocates support equal access for all in homeless shelters, the school year has ended — but our work has not., equality florida condemns fl representative mike hill’s homophobic remarks, alachua county passes ban on conversion therapy, advocates stand in support of hud’s equal access rule, equality florida applauds passage of the equality act by the u.s. house of representatives, florida advisory committee to the u.s. commission on civil rights announces study on voting rights and calls for public comment, great strides made during 2019 legislative session, equality florida action pac spotlight candidate jane castor elected first lgbtq mayor of tampa, u.s. supreme court to make major decision on lgbtq civil rights, advocating for a ban on conversion therapy at 2019 lobby days, advocating for equality at lobby days 2019, fourth time supreme court declines to hear a challenge to conversion therapy ban, lobby days 2019: a fulfilling and eye opening experience, press release: record-breaking support for florida competitive workforce act, equality florida lobby days 2019: through the eyes of hiv advocacy, transgender voices making a difference in tallahassee, equality florida action pac and hrc announce support for jane castor in runoff for mayor of tampa, florida, my first lobby days with equality florida, 1,300 businesses across florida declare they are “open to all”, breaking legislative update: state affairs hearing on hb 3 and threats to local protections, equality florida and human rights campaign warn florida could become next north carolina, equality florida action pac spotlight candidate jane castor heads to tampa mayoral runoff with defining momentum, equality florida's 2019 priority legislative agenda, february 2019, florida hiv modernization bill clears first committee hurdle, dangerous preemption measure advances in florida house, lgbtq equality: nothing more, nothing less, florida's business community reaffirms support for competitive workforce act, meet the interns: spring 2019, president trump promises to end hiv by 2030 despite anti-hiv actions, press release: judge preliminarily green-lights lawsuit against conversion therapy ban, january 2019, equality florida action pac and lgbtq victory fund endorse jane castor for mayor of tampa, equality florida: support fully-inclusive nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations, bills filed to establish comprehensive lgbtq non-discrimination protections in florida, equality florida responds to supreme court's actions on transgender military ban, equality florida applauds nikki fried for historic lgbtq protections, statement: governor desantis excludes lgbtq protections from non-discrimination executive order, november 2018, media release: equality florida’s transaction network and partners honor lives lost on transgender day of remembrance, equality florida’s response to amazon bypassing florida for new headquarters, waves, waves & more waves, ‘rainbow wave’ hits in florida and nationwide, october 2018, tick, tock: time is running out for governor scott to protect lgbtq state employees, equality florida responds to trump’s latest attack on transgender people, meet the interns: buket turkmen (field intern), press release: equality florida challenges rick scott's broken promise on lgbt protections, september 2018, equality florida defends bans on conversion therapy, equality florida to present “florida media for equality” award to south florida gay news (sfgn) at annual gala: sunday, nov. 11, victory for trans youth: florida school district settles lawsuit, will allow transgender student to use restrooms and locker rooms in accordance with gender identity, news release: florida draws national scrutiny as 5th black transgender women is found murdered, equality florida mourns the death of londonn moore, august 2018, press release: equality florida action pac endorses andrew gillum for governor, equality florida demands governor scott address the rash of transgender murders in orlando and jacksonville, equality florida stands opposed to the nomination of judge kavanaugh for u.s. supreme court, #honorthemwithaction campaign reaches 112 million, receives national attention on 2 year remembrance of pulse tragedy, meet the interns: kaysen davis, statement: equality florida on trump policy of separating immigrant families, equality florida and #qthevote launch massive voter mobilization drive at st. pete pride, equality florida's stratton pollitzer on the two-year remembrance of pulse, remember pulse: #honorthemwithaction, equality florida mourns the loss of connie kurtz - a dear friend and fierce lgbtq activist, with florida victory, 51% of lgbtq americans can now get an accurate birth certificate without burden, meet the interns: jack mills, press release: equality florida to honor florida state rep. carlos guillermo smith, other community leaders at palm beach gala, 2018 legislative session highlights, florida to amend birth certificate gender marker change requirements, join equality florida at #marchforourlives, meet the interns: isabel teller, meet the interns: bryce santos-fegers, tallahassee's largest lgbtq annual event to honor local leaders, st. petersburg mayor rick kriseman declares march 31st as transgender day of visibility, president of stoneman douglas gay/straight alliance to speak at equality florida gala saturday march 10, meet the interns: julia lozada, february 2018, transaction florida ~ out front on transgender advocacy in florida, 168 organizations from the campaign against assault weapons demand a ban on #weaponsofwar in the state of florida, equality florida to rick scott: "enough broken promises, stand against the nra", mourning death of celine walker, advocates implore jacksonville law enforcement to update transgender policies, advocates mark one-year anniversary of jacksonville human rights ordinance, growing diversity at equality florida lobby days, my first equality florida lobby days experience, statement: fl senate committee approves update to state hate crimes legislation, victory: publix reverses stance. will make prep available to employees, visibility and education can make all the difference, meet the interns: morgan woodle, press release: equality florida applauds vote rejecting attack on constitutional right to privacy, equality florida's statement on amazon relocation, press release: equality florida to honor sponsors of jacksonville’s human rights ordinance, january 2018, dr. morgan mayfaire joins equality florida's transaction florida advisory council, press release: equality florida to honor regions bank, tampa city councilman at annual gala, press release: equality florida files motion to defend the ban on dangerous conversion therapy alongside the city of tampa, equality florida 2018 legislative agenda, press release: glaad and equality florida release guide for reporting on lgbtq issues in florida, december 2017, florida’s patchwork of lgbtq nondiscrimination protections mirrors nationwide report by u.s. commission on civil rights, november 2017, florida small business owners support equality for lgbtq people, equality florida proudly supports transgender day of remembrance and visibility events across florida, october 2017, press release: equality florida applauds bipartisan filing of the florida competitive workforce act, press release: largest survey of transgender life in u.s. publishes florida-specific data, press release: major businesses urge supreme court to consider anti-gay workplace discrimination case, hurricane maria experienced by a puerto rican in florida, former "ex-gay" leader warns about the dangers of so-called "conversion therapy", equality florida responds to 'license to discriminate’ guidance by the trump administration, transaction florida denounces doj transgender discrimination, equality florida responds to miami-dade commission voting down ban on conversion therapy, september 2017, show up: miami-dade county commission hearing to ban so-called "conversion therapy", the hidden truth behind the plus sign +, statement: community comes together for women's center of brevard event, statement: equality florida responds to trump’s plan to end daca, equality florida launches new hiv advocacy project, august 2017, press release: lgbtq champion rick kriseman edges baker in primary with runoff next, equality florida’s transaction rejects trump’s attacks on transgender service members, equality florida meets with senator bill nelson; calls for action to fight rise of white supremacist neo nazis, former state representative joe saunders named equality florida senior political director, mayor dyer proclaims august 7, 2017 'equality florida day' in orlando, senator nelson urges trump administration not to implement official discrimination through trans military ban, “dude looks like a lady” event is bad for brevard, bad for the transgender community, true love, making history, trump attacks transgender service members, also youth appoints transaction florida advisory council member as new executive director, senator nelson cosponsors lgbt equality day resolution, equality florida responds to governor scott's statement on lgbtq protections for state employees, celebrating that #loveisthelaw with eqfl members nick & kurt, one year later: governor scott refuses to protect lgbtq floridians from discrimination, equality florida intern reflects on 'orlando love' event & #honorthemwithaction, meet the interns: gabrielle bautista, #honorthemwithaction reaches 147 million; campaign continues with 49 days of action, equality florida commemorates one year mark of pulse massacre and continues to #honorthemwithaction, music video pays tribute to courage and joy of la pride 2016, one year after pulse massacre, equality florida calls on supporters to #honorthemwithaction in gofundme campaign, gays against guns and nyc lgbtq nightlife community present memorial rally to honor 49 pulse nightclub victims, pulse shooting day of remembrance brings together lgbtq, muslim, and latinx communities, take action: tell governor rick scott to protect lgbtq people now, as gay as they were black – celebrating black pride, nadine smith named honorary co-chair of national equality march for unity and pride, equality florida unveils new logo in celebration of 20th anniversary, transpride march at st. pete pride - making history in florida, meet the interns: kenzie helmick, equality florida launches #honorthemwithaction campaign to commemorate one-year mark of pulse massacre, insider updates: 2017 fl legislative session recap, breaking: trump signs religious executive order -- stay tuned for legal analysis, flying while trans things to know before you go., statement: equality florida applauds resignation of frank artiles, equality florida calls for the removal of senator frank artiles from office, take action: urge ft. lauderdale mayor seiler to reconsider hosting anti-lgbtq pastor at prayer breakfast, new poll shows 71% of floridians support conversion therapy ban for minors, international transgender day of visibility, 2017, 2017 legislative insider updates & lobby days recap, press release: equality florida partners with contigo fund to expand safe & healthy schools project, media advisory: community to hold “love lives here” event tomorrow at florida holocaust museum, statement: gov scott fails to mention pulse attack targeted lgbtq & latinx communities in state of the state address, 2017 legislative session briefing, february 2017, equality florida responds to trump’s attack on transgender youth, online dating tip sheet from tampa police department after series of 3 murders, equality florida legislative update 1 - hb 17, equality florida applauds passage of historic lgbtq protections in jacksonville, equality florida to honor lisa la monica at annual gala, equality florida applauds bipartisan filing of the florida competitive workforce act, january 2017, equality florida responds to trump's decision to keep federal lgbtq workplace protections, equality florida to honor tech data executive at annual tampa gala, kimberly mazauskas and compass inc. to be honored at equality florida palm beach gala, women's march on florida, lawmakers unveil gun safety legislation that targets assault-style weapons, december 2016, equality florida's response to nc governor mccrory's defeat, transform florida: transgender “safe haven” towns, cities and counties, november 2016, mass violence and trauma-specific information, transform florida, post-election town hall summary & resources, meet the interns: kyler sares, what now (a post-election note from equality florida's nadine smith), october 2016, equality florida greater orlando gala to pay tribute to the orlando community, news release: florida finalizes rules protecting lgbtq foster youth, september 2016, eqfl's statement on acc's decision to move championship game to orlando, press release: equality florida endorses gun violence prevention policies, martina navratilova to receive equality florida's "voice for equality" award at annual broward gala, eqfl's gina duncan to be recognized at upcoming 14th annual tsa conference, equality florida launches groundbreaking safe & healthy schools project, meet the interns: robbie dickerson, the transgender experience: jennifer lynn teliga, devin cole: navigating a non-binary life in a binary world, sept 12th deadline for pulse victims fund application; disbursements to begin, august 2016, primary election results - see how eqfl action pac endorsed candidates did, media advisory: lgbtq advocates to rally to end hate as mike pence campaigns in sarasota, our summer of action in jacksonville was monumental, i am florida: mathew myers, son of transaction fl advisory council member speaks out for trans rights, lgbtq leadership comes together to support the orlando community, rubio changed his tune after orlando community held rally to end hate #forthe49, action fund news release: rubio quotes national lgbtq task force staffer in attempt to cover “appalling” anti-lgbtq record, equality florida condemns rubio's remarks at anti-lgbt conference on anniversary of pulse shooting, i am florida: mother and ally paula naab, the transgender experience: tricia russell, i am florida: mexican-american student activist sergio carlos, the transgender experience: darlene furness, meet the interns: hannah powell, lgbt bigotry and the steep fall of mike pence, meet the interns: chris traylor, i am florida: mother, nurse, and ally dorothy neufeld, the transgender experience: suezie hawkes, the transgender experience: tristan byrnes, the transgender experience: aryah lester, orlando, pulse, #sitinforthe49: an intern reflects, meet the interns: logan coleman, national tv ad depicting transgender discrimination to premiere during republican national convention, i am florida: marion county student nich rardin, pentagon ends ban on transgender service members, news release: equality florida’s pulse victims fund surpasses $7m, press release: florida reinstates lgbtq protections for foster youth, i am florida: trans activist delia melody dexaeris, i am florida: genderqueer activist lb hannahs, #voicesofmarion: melody lewis, equality florida statement, gofundme, & updates on mass shooting at pulse nightclub, #voicesofmarion: damien rose leonhardt, #voicesofmarion: krys eli vyne, #voicesofmarion: salem organa, #voicesofmarion: elizabeth husband, meet the interns: marian vargas, meet the interns: marisa halper, the weight of authenticity: fighting for transgender equality, nclr and equality florida issue legal memorandum to clay county school board, update: fl now issuing birth certificates that list married same-sex spouses, meet the interns: abigail melton, u.s. department of education affirms it is illegal to discriminate against transgender students under title ix, news release: marion county schools face title ix complaint for anti-transgender bathroom policy, "say it to my face", 2016 greater gainesville gala to be held on may 14th, lgbtq advocacy organizations issue open letter to ​marion county school board, growing transaction florida - mobilizing to defend transgender rights, news release: marion county school board approves “gender inspection” resolution, in the south, we only lose when we do not fight, news release: state house representative alan b. williams to be honored at annual tallahassee gala, news release: florida blocks protections for lgbtq youth, 2016 equality florida legislative insider report, federal judge issues final order confirming fl's marriage ban is unconstitutional, 2016 international transgender day of visibility, news release: 16th annual equality florida key west gala march 19th, nadine smith one of three floridians chosen as national women’s history month 2016 honorees, fl house & senate avert disaster of expanded pastor protection bill, february 2016, statement: so-called "pastor protection" passes final fl senate committee, #jaxhro to be withdrawn; community rally taking place thursday, transgender public policy brief: february 2016, statement: five senators stall lgbt equality in florida, update on the florida competitive workforce act hearing, january 2016, news release: mayor curry signs executive order prohibiting discrimination; councilman jim love co-sponsors hro, meet the interns: melissa st. clair, meet the interns: robbin robinson, meet the interns: taylor tringali, meet the interns: alexandra fernandez, news release: pastor protection act up again in fl legislature, news release: historic first hearing on lgbt non-discrimination set for tuesday in fl, jax update: lgbt-inclusive hro has been officially introduced, meet the interns: kaitlyn christiansen, florida experts debunk the transgender “bathroom predator” myth, equality florida's 2016 legislative priorities, news release: equality florida applauds sobel & jenne for domestic partnership bills, open letter to community, december 2015, breaking: same-sex couples ask federal court to rule on florida birth certificate lawsuit without a trial, transaction fl hosts ground-breaking transgender media & messaging training, november 2015, love was in the air at the broward gala, november 15th, update: equality means business, 2015 transgender day of remembrance and visibility, town hall meetings to discuss challenges faced by older lgbt adults, news: gina duncan featured on florida's leading business magazine, lawyer who helped win marriage equality nationwide will be honored at suncoast celebration, it's election day go vote, important announcement law enforcement diversity training being held this friday, october 2015, florida blue fixes glitch that temporarily denied hiv meds to some, breaking: dangerous, right-to-discriminate bill filed in fl legislature, statement: orange county rescinds domestic partner benefits; we react, incident involving gender-neutral eighth grader in fl prompts call for better training, breaking: broward county votes to strengthen domestic partnership policy, 2015 greater jacksonville gala: a record-breaking event, update: pensacola city council votes to hold hro workshop on november 9th, breaking: dangerous, anti-lgbt bill passes through first committee in fl house, equality florida launches '​unete a nosotros', update: tsa investigation of shadi petosky incident at orlando airport continues, september 2015, equality florida deeply disturbed by trans woman's tweets of mistreatment at orlando airport, meet the interns: gabby, meet the interns: ella delva, news release: michael donald edwards of asolo rep will receive ‘voice for equality’ award, ​transaction florida releases statewide transgender resource guide, august 2015, meet the chin family: plaintiffs in the florida birth certificate lawsuit, remembering civil rights activist julian bond, spray paint, racism and homophobia collide at pensacola's graffitti bridge, news release: equality florida asks court to tell florida officials to follow the law, breaking: equality florida institute heads back to court on behalf of lgbt families, news release: florida legislators push for statewide lgbt nondiscrimination protections, equality florida sends 1,266 signatures in support of inclusive update to fl's marriage certificates, news release: greater ft. lauderdale to welcome southern comfort transgender conference, news release: mark puskarich is equality florida's new tampa development officer, equality florida stands with planned parenthood, news release: members of congress introduce the equality act, a fully inclusive anti-discrimination bill, big news: equality florida to honor jim obergefell, supreme court marriage plaintiff, media advisory: the tragic death of india clarke deserves a fuller, more accurate report, this is what winning looks like, general counsel study shows need for updating jacksonville human rights ordinance, breaking news: u.s. supreme court rules on the freedom to marry nationwide, news release: supreme court victory for obamacare is good news for lgbt americans, news release: friendship, empathy drive our new palm beach development officer, equality florida stands with charleston, equality florida's statement on #blacklivesmatter, news release: changes on our governing board of directors, news release: new tv ad shows marriage brings families together in florida, news release: equality florida hires cindy brown, a celebrated lgbt leader in miami-dade, news release: historic voter mobilization secures pro-equality majority on jacksonville city council, news release: a mother's day wish for her gay son, news release: our 2015 florida legislative scorecard, news release: supporters of freedom to marry launch ad showing strong support in florida, news release: todd and jeffrey delmay, a pioneering florida gay couple, go to washington, sumter county clerk honored to perform weddings, news release: republican support for the freedom to marry continues to grow, news release: senate leaders derail controversial adoption proposal, news release: adoption experts urge fl senate to reject discriminatory adoption bill, news release: florida senate approves repeal of gay and lesbian adoption ban, news release: florida house insists on discrimination in adoptions, news release: florida senate blocks indiana-style discrimination in adoptions, news release: lawmakers should abandon indiana-style adoption bill, news release: civic activist jim vanriper to be honored at annual tallahassee gala, news release: shameful indiana-style bill passed by florida house committee, breaking: fl house committee passes indiana-style adoption bill, news release: florida legislature to take up indiana-style adoption bill, news release: 81% of floridians are just fine with same-sex marriage, news release: the high cost of discrimination for florida businesses, news release: using taxpayer funds to discriminate, news release: opposition grows as transgender discrimination bill moves forward, take action: become a virtual lobbyist for equality in florida, news release: transgender discrimination bill to get hearing tuesday morning, take action: help defeat the transgender discrimination bill (hb 583), aaron huntsman and lee jones to get equality florida's highest award, news release: adoption bill removes ban on lesbian, gay parents from fl statutes, florida faith leaders, mayors and more sign briefs in support of marriage to u.s. supreme court, news release: bill would discriminate against transgender floridians, hearts full of acceptance: barbara & lea acosta-meshna's story, february 2015, icing on the wedding cake: claudia & christa, the joys of marriage: john & jose vivas-goetting's story, together 26 years: dan and steve warren's story, a part of history: malene & carrie's story, love is louder: dean & rob's story, tonight: candlelight vigil to honor kristina infiniti - beloved miami trans woman, murdered sunday, celebrating one month of marriage in florida - judi & marla's story, celebrating one month of marriage in florida - historic valentine's day in pinellas county, only 4 days left to get health coverage for 2105, grand opening jacksonville office, celebrating one month of marriage in florida - alicia & kelia's story, celebrating one month of marriage in florida - sheryl and evangelina's story, celebrating one month of marriage in florida - brenda & shirley's story, 11th circuit says it will wait for supreme court to rule on marriage equality, january 2015, help is here. suicide hotline in florida, meet the interns: mackenzie hagen, equality florida to honor kevin beckner at annual tampa gala, meet the interns: samira obeid, meet the interns: tiffeni russo, social security administration now recognizes marriage licenses of same-sex couples in florida, breaking: u.s. supreme court will review a marriage equality case, newly married florida same-sex couple to attend state of the union address in d.c., senator sobel to honor equality florida & six marriage equality plaintiff couples as “champions of change”, news release: equality florida applauds senator nelson for co-sponsoring the respect for marriage act, nclr/equality florida to ag bondi: instruct all agencies to recognize marriages, video: footage of first same-sex couples getting married in florida, news release: first florida same-sex couples marry, motion filed for miami-dade judge to lift stay on marriages at monday hearing, breaking: hinkle confirms marriage ruling - all counties must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, december 2014, breaking: publix expands benefits to include same-sex spouses, equality florida and nclr issue memorandum to florida clerks re issuing marriage licenses, this is why..., marriage is being challenged: call your clerk, hundreds of law enforcement, first responders, clergy and businesses sign onto amici supporting florida marriage equality, costly legal battles ahead for any clerk who continues to discriminate, breaking: supreme court denies bondi’s request to further delay the freedom to marry, oh, what a night inaugural black and white ball of lee county in support of equality florida, fl competes: new campaign launches to support fcwa, breaking: broward county judge grants divorce of same-sex couple, breaking: florida files scotus application to stay injunction in fed marriage case, equality florida launches transaction florida, aimed at supporting transgender equality, video: first responders for the freedom to marry, breaking: broward county judge rules in favor of marriage, equality florida honoring cape coral mayor, four council members, & arlene goldberg at inaugural black & white ball, state rep. holly raschein spotlights florida competitive workforce act, breaking: marriages to start end of day january 5th, breaking: miami-dade adds transgender protections to county hro, november 2014, health news you can use, meet the interns: steven rodriguez jr., breaking: bill filed to end statewide lgbt discrimination, state of florida asks 11th circuit for extension of stay in federal marriage case, update on the fight for marriage in florida, alachua county to file amicus brief in support of florida marriage equality lawsuits, equality florida honored as 2014 top-rated nonprofit, 500 state-protections denied to same-sex couples in florida, breaking: judge hinkle denies requests to alter stay on marriage ruling, we're still marching forward after disappointing elections, news release: pro-equality voters kept election close, october 2014, dying woman's plea for the right to marry, edie windsor's letter to governor rick scott, meet jazz: 2014 voice for equality honoree, breaking: ag bondi seeks to delay marriage in florida...again, equality florida calls on ag bondi to let marriage come to florida, republican az attorney general ends fight against loving same-sex couples, quick update on florida marriage cases, meet the interns: destiny jones, equality florida to honor jazz jennings, 14 year-old transgender advocate, a tidal wave of change in hillsborough county, breaking: attorney general bondi asks fl supreme court to hear marriage case, same-sex couples to governor scott: "meet with our families. please hear our stories.", statement: gov. scott & ag bondi's request to delay marriage case granted, news release: florida recognizes first same-sex couple, statement: u.s. supreme court decision not to review marriage rulings, breaking: hillsborough county commission passes hero, breaking: hillsborough county commission moves dpr to public hearing, september 2014, meet the interns: morgan smith, why marriage matters: chuck & jim, florida resident donna brown urges governor scott to end marriage ban, breaking: huge development for the freedom to marry in florida, breaking: governor rick scott allows appeal of recent marriage ruling, fl cowboys are ready for the freedom to marry, fairness prevails in atlantic beach, august 2014, crist urges scott to declare fl will not challenge marriage ruling, meet the interns: rolando blanco, orange county florida mayor announces support for marriage equality, request to take up marriage case sent to fl supreme court, first federal judge in florida rules in favor of the freedom to marry, ending fl marriage ban means jobs and $182 million boost to state economy, meet the interns: gregory hines, video: cowboys for marriage freedom in florida, meet the interns: devon olefson, tele-townhall: next steps for marriage equality in florida, john stemberger's "barbarian" comments on wfla, breaking: equality florida applauds charlie crist for commitment to lgbt equality if elected governor, historic: love wins again, meet the interns: amanda nowlin, a cautionary tale, action betsy, being betsy, video: karla arguello & cathy pareto, orlando mayor, city council file brief in support of florida marriage lawsuits, meet the interns: lauren munsey, video: martina navratilova speaks out for marriage in florida, equality florida releases comprehensive brief on lgbt workplace discrimination in florida, breaking: historic confirmation to florida court, countdown to marriage rally, meet the interns: simone chriss, breaking: equality florida action pac endorses charlie crist for governor, video: father's day special on why marriage matters, news release: attorney general bondi: discrimination inflicts harm, not our marriages, meet the interns: mehek mirchandani, breaking: judge zabel denies motion by anti-gay groups to intervene in marriage equality lawsuit, a letter to attorney general pam bondi, video: the alenier family, making the tampa bay region economically competitive, 2014 legislative session recap, miami beach achieves perfect score on hrc's pro-equality report, [news release] old capitol gala/lwv to honor nadine smith, february 2014, florida dmv clarifies name-changing policy, meet the interns: laura melendez parra, why courts matter: lgbt equality, meet the interns: joanna bomfim, equality florida announces statewide transgender training initiative, meet the interns: diamond delancy, january 2014, [news release] fl mayors urge president putin to end lgbt discrimination, gainesville's mlk jr. commemorative march, meet the interns: alexandra coscia, meet the interns: jake black, [news release] top florida employers urge legislature to pass florida competitive workforce act, december 2013, [news release] equality florida commends bipartisan legislation to create statewide dpr, [news release] equality florida announces ambitious goals for 2014 – and beyond, pensacola city council passes domestic partner registry, november 2013, atlantic beach city commission takes first step in creating a fully-inclusive hro, a lake city 7th-grader makes an argument for marriage equality, [news release] equality florida applauds senator bill nelson's leadership on enda vote; rubio stands on wrong side of history, october 2013, make your voice heard: fill out speaker weatherford's issue survey, gainesville pride: footsteps toward equality, [news release] thank you, senator nelson, rep. baxley issues statement after meeting with equality florida yesterday., [news release] twitterbomb sen. nelson: october 17 @ 3pm., [news release] equality florida on outrageous comments by representative baxley disparaging lgbt families, [news release] sarasota county moves forward on domestic partnership registry, love conquers all: brian walsh's story, september 2013, miami: join us for a transequality faith rally this sunday, august 2013, alachua county commission passes lgbt protections, equality florida to the city of st. petersburg, fl: suspend ties with sister city, today: the u.s. senate committee will discuss enda at 10am, we made it $251,000 raised during 2013 equal-a-thon, sign up for monday's tele-town hall, only two days left of our 2013 equal-a-thon get engaged & help us reach our goal, supreme court decision on marriage equality is a call to action for florida, straights for marriage equality - an ally's story, find a day of decision rally in your area, equality florida condemns sen. marco rubio's bigoted comments on immigration reform and the employment non-discrimination act, family says son sent home for wearing makeup; prompts national protest, children of same-sex parents thriving: erin & liz czerwinski's story., tampa bay times marriage equality article features equality florida's ed lally, miami beach makes history: tax equity policy unanimously approved, a story showing that hillsborough county is changing, city commission of pembroke pines vote to study dp benefits, inside the immigration bill: gay-rights groups disappointed, news release: st. petersburg hosts equality florida gala april 20th, pinellas county domestic partner registration opens monday, april 15th, doma-contingent protective claims should be filed now, florida voices: what will the supreme court's gay-marriage decision mean to florida, scott randolph, constitutional tax collector, to institute domestic partnership tax equity policy, action alert: tell senator nelson it's time to support marriage equality, breaking: leon county passes domestic partnership registry 7-0, tallahassee needs to hear from you become a virtual lobbyist, weekly public policy update - issue 4, february 2013, news release: equality florida to hold seventh annual tampa gala, weekly public policy update - issue 3, january 2013, weekly public policy update - issue 2, a note regarding the hillsborough dpr vote -jim harper, weekly public policy update - issue 1, our first big victory of 2013, [take action] tell pinellas county to pass a domestic partnership registry, december 2012, this year changed everything, november 2012, orlando tops list of pro-equality cities in florida, one fantastic equality florida pinellas mixer, october 2012, florida voter information, august 2012, [breaking news] jacksonville city council rejects lgbt protections 17-2, [breaking news] florida elects first out gay legislator, breaking news: joe saunders wins hd 49 primary, [video] joe saunders thanks equality florida supporters, breaking: lt. governor jennifer carroll apologizes for harmful remarks, join me and demand florida’s lt. governor apologize for harmful remarks, video: special public policy update, tomorrow - two votes, two victories in pinellas county, urgent - don't let their lies go unanswered, ‎(video) congrats to equality fl members ron and betsy. they've been invited to the white house for pride., five things news outlets should know about the newest same-sex parenting study, orange county creates central florida’s second countywide domestic partner registry, naacp's evolution on marriage equality began decades ago, jacksonville: this thursday - join us for a special screening of gen silent, victory: gulfport becomes 1st pinellas city to pass domestic partnership registry, volusia county: domestic partnership registry final vote may 17th, video: breaking news - president obama supports marriage equality, live - watch: the white house lgbt conference on aging, mallory wells makes advocate's forty under 40, breaking news two victories in tampa bay, why does the irs want us to lie on our taxes, big news: proposed u.s. customs policy would respect gay couples, trans*action town hall - march 22nd @ 7:00, miami gala raises over $120,000, bayard rustin’s 100th birthday . 1912-2012, update: tampa moves forward on domestic partnership registry, what would you do, equality means business welcomes csx, [alert] help bring lgbt protections in the city of venice, watch a reading of the prop 8 trial live this saturday, february 2012, [alert] help bring a domestic partnership registry to tampa, deputy director stratton pollitzer talks marriage equality with the paul & matty show, brian mcnaught presents on lgbt workplace issues on march 28th, [alert] tell famu it's time to add lgbt protections, state department makes sea change on lgbt rights, powerful, gorgeous video sends hopeful message to lgbt youth, famu board called on to add lgbt protections, [video] what does prop 8's overturn mean for marriage equality in florida, january 2012, white house invites equality florida executive director to greet president obama, december 2011, live now- orlando city commission final vote on domestic partnership registry, [video] romney bites off more than he can chew at nh restaurant, hillary, obama unite on lgbt rights and become campaign fodder in the process, breaking news: orlando city commission moves forward on domestic partnership registry, please share: it's worth $5 if you "like" equality florida, november 2011, update: white house lgbt liaison gautam raghavan to join equality florida telephone town hall, observing the transgender day of remembrance, eqfl: record shattering $260,000+ raised at broward gala, we just sent an extremist packing - and elected a champion, ohio study: anti-gay attitudes hurt property values, pres obama includes gay parents in adoption proclamation, october 2011, ground breaking research on legal challenges gay parents and their children face, frank kameny: america's first gay activist, they've gone berserk: anti-gay extremists intensify attack on pro-lgbt republican lawmaker, september 2011, [action alert] anti-gay group targets pro-equality fl congresswoman, register to win 2 free concert tickets to k.d. lang, today's the day - take time to celebrate, [video] wtsp tampa bay channel 10 interviews nadine smith about the end of dadt, [video] soldier comes out to his dad after the fall of don't ask, don't tell, "don't ask, don't tell" is done, lesbian pioneers still fighting for marriage equality, over doma tell senator nelson to support the respect for marriage act, equality florida's nadine smith meets with president obama, florida congresswomen receives log cabin spirit of lincoln award, august 2011, it's even worse than we imagined, tampa bay rays take a stand against bullying, reggae artist mista majah p takes on homophobia, guide for shelters and transgender evacuees, gays are us: why lgbt equality is not a “white” issue, all new equality florida website launches today, please join us as the harvey b. milk foundation honors stratton pollitzer, domestic partner benefits are catching on, breaking news: final 60 days of discriminatory "don't ask, don't tell" policy, dadt repeal could be certified friday, breaking: nation's 4th largest school district adds gender identity protections, lgbt champion declares for congress, hate crimes and intolerance inspire new support services for lgbt communities, happening now: doma repeal hearing, in a ‘quiet moment,’ gay judge makes history, [video] the real impact of marriage discrimination, action alert: reproductive freedom is under attack, gainesville demands fair districts, miami shores adds benefits for domestic partners, poll: majority of floridians back same-sex recognition, court bars dadt enforcement, fair districts - lawmakers need to hear from you, “welcome to the white house”, ny to fl: "keep fighting", subjects needed for research study on gay and lesbian parents, what winning new york means to florida, equality florida celebrates pride with odessa uu church, this is what winning looks like, vote for equality florida, it's time orange county, us dept. of ed. urges school districts to support gay-straight alliance clubs, ny times: census shows rise in number of gay adoptions, the 2011 suncoast summer florida council mixer was a smashing success, florida lawmakers seek public input on redistricting, help us win $3,000 with just a few clicks, join us for the red ribbon dance to support asap, this is what leadership looks like, dcf chief: no plans to relaunch adoption ban, president proclaims june lgbt pride month, transgender florida high school student crowned prom queen, election supervisors hesitant to implement new state law, winning in jacksonville: a reflection on the emerging electoral power of jax's lgbt community, volusia county passes inclusive human rights ordinance, lgbt victims of domestic violence need your help, gallup poll shows huge shift on marriage equality: 53% now support it, thrilling election in jacksonville - the pendulum is swinging, equality florida presents at miami-dade schools training, report shows marriage equality would earn ny $391 mil, house gopers just can't get over dadt repeal, join us for pride and passion at the tampa museum of art, anti-gay groups ramping up for 2012, action alert: voter suppression bill in senate today, [action] update from tallahassee, legislators playing fast and loose with the truth, firm drops doma case, sweeping elections bill passes house, pinellas gala draws record breaking crowd, [video] victory orange county passes domestic partnership benefits for employees, urgent: aids funding for thousands in florida may be cut, the orange on the seder plate, when did girls start wearing pink | arts & culture | smithsonian magazine, pinellas sponsors' reception draws 70 plus top supporters, [video] a campy history according to "jerry" abraham moore | as i am, [video] susan bottcher wins in gainesville, how many gay people are there, part 2, how many gay people are there, uafa, enda introduction on thursday, msnbc covers "refuse to lie" campaign, the "uterus" battle heats up, you can't say "uterus"., couldn't make it to tallahassee support our team today, be a virtual lobbyist, the 30 second gay talk, palm beach faith seminar:, miami gala raises over $100,000, poll: a majority of americans oppose federal doma law, does a voice of inequality belong on a panel that works for equality, federal bill takes on school bullying and anti-gay discrimination, awake the state: drastic cuts to civil rights commission, update: hillsborough human relations board member resigns in protest of anti-gay appointment, join us at the uf levin college of law, gov scott loses a reason to slow amends 5,6, february 2011, in just 24 hours, 700 call for removal of kemple from human relations board, breaking news: obama administration's justice dept will not defend doma, volusia school district considers bullying protections for transgender students, facebook broadens definition of "family", [video]: no place for discrimination, funds raised to furnish orlando lgbtq youth shelter, navy leads way implementing equality for gay, lesbian service members, florida attorney, kim byrd, becomes president of national lgbt bar, [video] highlights from tallahassee this week, great film coming to st. pete this friday, life's memorable experiences, zach wahls speaks about his two moms, equality florida action pac announces 2011 tampa city council endorsements, equality florida action pac endorses candidates in city of gainesville races, january 2011, release: equality florida launches full time presence in gainesville, sometimes life surprises me..., the domestic partnership act introduced in house, rep. randolph files florida competitive workforce act, hud releases new policies to ensure lgbt equality in housing, parenting by gays more common in south, eqfl release: new federal regulations on hospital visitation for lgbt families go into effect today, new federal regulations on hospital visitation for lgbt families go into effect today, join us for the gainesville office opening party, nadine smith to keynote mlk celebration at rollins, 6pm tonight, fl rep wasserman schultz visits rep giffords in hospital, advocate names orlando 4th "gayest" city, points to policies/politics, celebrate choices - roe v wade event, 01/20, meet the next mayor of tampa this friday - 1/14, eqfl on the air today at 3pm in clearwater, dept. of state goes gender neutral, looking for a few good interns, sen. rich files competitive workforce act, orange county's newest mayor to champion dp benefits, december 2010, cpac attendance raises gay issue, behind the scenes: signing dadt repeal, gay men slain inside wilton manors home, fl redistricting won't happen very fast, watch the president sign dadt repeal live, florida gains two congressional seats, sen john mccain, bigotry endangers lives of our troops, senate passes dadt repeal, media statement: don't ask, don't tell repeal bill advances in senate, senate votes 63-33 to advance repeal don't ask, don't tell, senators have votes, if time permits, to repeal dadt, white house invitation for father at center of adoption fight, update: sen. bill nelson co-sponsors dadt repeal, house discussing dadt repeal now, orlando: join the holocaust center for a forum on bullying, house to vote on dadt today, take action: dadt repeal introduced to house, breaking: dadt repeal blocked in senate, report reveals florida’s dramatic shift in favor of gay equal rights, a vote on dadt today, planned parenthood: ‘personhood’ amendment a product of ‘radical anti-choice extremists’, deck the halls with equality in sarasota, lpga votes to change gender requirements, happening now: dadt hearing, illinois state house passes historic civil unions bill, november 2010, florida's aids medication program feeling strained, anti-gay groups make hate list, what would you do bigoted comments at thanksgiving, victory: orange county passes lgbt protections, pentagon: no gays were discharged in past month, peek inside gov. scott's administration, election 2010 - what does it mean for lgbt equality, my challenge to dana young re: her anti-gay flyers, october 2010, dana young resorts to ugly gay-bashing, october 30, 2010 - 1:55pm, get your pro-equality voter guide on your phone, most troops wouldn't oppose serving with gays, dept. of education: schools may lose funding for ignoring bullying of lgbt students, gay and thinking about adoption get answers, alex sink rally in orlando wednesday, [jacksonville]: you're invited to our city, our time, our turn, equality florida at gainesville pride, hillsborough county residents unite against bullying candlelight vigil, miami shows equality florida love at the bay grand opening, nervous about the election, breaking news: end of florida adoption ban will not be appealed, the future is bright, president obama: it gets better, candidates for governor rumble, discuss lgbt issues, candidate spotlight: rick kriseman, ready to vote voters guides are here, editorial: after 33 years, florida finally gets it right on gay adoption, candidate spotlight: jim jackson, candidate spotlight: eugene flinn, [video] no more rigged elections - vote yes on 5 & 6, joel burns tells gay teens ' it gets better', breaking news: florida's anti-gay adoption law ends today, [video] governor's race in dead heat; sink wins on ethics, eqfl at orlando pride, our stories: living out proud, beyond grief: you can help one gay teenager in florida, right now, [video] let's push dan over the finish line, fewer than half of americans oppose gay marriage, poll finds, jax equality team pushes to update human rights ordinance, [video] a message from equality champion linda saul-sena, eqfl's safe schools work more important than ever, orange county hro moves forward, [video] florida the focus of lgbt tv show - in the life, can you help us win in 2010, september 2010, fl appeals court: anti-gay adoption law violates equal protection, breaking: court affirms adoption ban unconstitutional, urgent: call us senate - "don't ask, don't tell" vote next week, eqfl collaborates with local partners to train lgbt youth, gov. crist crist may drop gay adoption lawsuit, says he’s evolved, lgbt equality issues take center stage in most watched us senate race, florida governor charlie crist releases position paper on lgbt issues, orlando: join us for company on september 16, 2010 and give back to equality florida, diversity is good for business, [event] saturday, sept. 11th | legal issues of the lgbt community in florida with elizabeth schwartz, scott picks state legislator carroll as no.2, august 2010, breaking news: fl supreme court throws out amendments 3,7,9, equality florida helps welcome pride back to tampa, fl governor says he opposes fed anti-marriage amendment, floridians celebrate the 90th anniversary of women voting, how the 'rent boy' scandal brought down a far-right favorite, [video] breaking news: equality candidates win in key races, video: campaign update from justin flippen headquarters, video: updates from the field - house district 92, justin flippen campaign, election day is today vote smart - get your voter guide, fl anti-gay adoption law court case approaches one year mark, our volunteer army, gelber leads aronberg by 11 points, editorial: a desperate politician, video: mccollum backpedals on anti-gay stance, breaking news: prop 8 stay lifted, it's a pray-off, 2010 primary equality florida voter guides are here, poll: americans now split evenly on gay marriage, developing story: anti-gay gop mccollum confronted about gay dad campaign advisor, video: child of lesbian moms talks about fair adoption, celebrating our families day, now mccollum wants to ban gay foster parents, everyone's early voting have you, breaking news: california's prop 8 deemed "unconstitutional", prop 8 announcement today, looking for a fall internship we want to recruit you, bill mccollum can't escape "rentboy" rekers scandal: claims 'he was the only available witness that had credentials' (video), tampa bay: join us for "celebrate our families" aug 8th tampa 12pm-3pm, judge strikes health care amendment from ballot, join our election team, mccollum still opposes gay and lesbian adoption, last day to register for primaries, scott galvin for congress yard signs defaced with homophobic slur, miami herald: dan gelber snags another huge endorsement for attorney general., [video] equality champion april griffin under attack, update: $100,000 to pro-equality candidates in florida, gay candidate picks up influentional miami herald endorsement, sink widens lead in poll, kottkamp: more of the same, two teachers unions back dan gelber, breaking: leon county passes benefits for employees, mccollum's money woes, if a constitutional ban on oil drilling is redundant, what about gay marriage, political parties wage war for handful of seats, judge blocks florida legislature's redistricting amendment from november ballot, court ruling-major victory for marriage equality, 20 volunteers in 24 hours, tampa bay event: get your tickets for "as bees in honey drown", lesbian ex-sergeant hopes for repeal of military's policy | theledger.com, judge rules for transgender woman fired by georgia, equality florida orlando needs you, officer down it was 9 years ago today..., equality florida celebrates st. pete pride, 6,000 floridians to mccollum: we want our money back, the perils of pink, what were you doing when ellen came out, fair districts got it right, tell bill mccollum: we want our money back, president obama presents initiative to help homeless lgbt youth, [video] a letter from nadine smith: dear mr. president, alex sink recognizes lgbt pride month, i'm meeting president obama tomorrow - what should i ask him, breaking news: hillsborough county passes inclusive safe school policy, crist open to ending adoption ban, marriage equality for all couples, breaking news: governor vetoes hb 1143, join eqfl & the aclu for a town hall & spokesperson training on adoption, why eqfl is a pro-choice organization, blood agency reviews gay donor policy, it's now or never tell governor crist - veto hb 1143, please join us this thursday and friday night in st. pete, study: children of lesbians may do better than their peers, gay adoption comes into play in ag race, bill mccollum demanded hiring of discredited rekers, how florida's forgotten democrat could win the senate race - time, bud chiles to run for governor- as independent, victory the senate armed services committee passes repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", crist flip-flops on dadt, listen: joe saunders on asiam.fm radio, keep the pressure on: nelson commits to repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", jacksonville high school students gather to defeat homophobia, nat'l call-in day wednesday- aids drug assistance programs crisis, congress to vote this week on ending dadt, dockery drops out of the governor's race, mccollum dodges the truth, craig lowe sworn in as gainesville mayor, tell bill mccollum: we want our money back, alex sink rips bill mccollum on rentboy scandal, rekers scandal stirs legal questions in anti-gay cases - nytimes.com, jacksonville area gsa leadership summit quickly approaching, loser of the week, bill mccollum, transgender candidate files against wasserman-schultz, nytimes slams mccollum-rekers scandal, big con job makes bill mccollum's anti-gay bias even worse, [video] victory in leon county lgbt inclusive hro passes by vote of a 5-2, rekers resigns from narth board, pool side party benefiting equality florida - may 22, 7pm, listen in today at 3:30 est - on sirius/xm outq, taxpayers paid reker's $120,000, twice what was initially reported, demand an apology from bill mccollum- no more bigots for hire, a beautiful birthday wish, breaking news: attorney general bill mccollum's "expert" witness caught with male prostitute, leon county hurman rights ordinance debate tonight, news release: eqfl tampa gala to spotlight tampa bay’s most powerful women, action alert urge your legislator to oppose hb 1143, senate passes controversial ultrasound amendment, my remarks before the commission tonight, breaking: leon county supports lgbt inclusive human rights ordinance, illegal people, senator al franken to introduce bill addressing anti-lgbt bullying, miami beach commission: pass united american families act and keep gay families togethe, watch equality florida on as i am tv, will he or won't he the capitol is abuzz, students across florida stand against bullying, president obama orders hospital visitation, urgent: save fair districts - take action, equality champion wins congressional seat, craig lowe elected mayor of gainesville by 35 votes, support equality florida with an evening out april 22, 8pm - at the teco theatre, jackson memorial hospital revises policies to respect lgbt families, take action: cnn misses the mark in interview with so-called, join equality florida's team at the orlando aids walk, equality needs you now- join me saturday, senate panel votes to drop ban on state funds for religious institutions, take action: end 'don't ask, don't tell' | sign on to the letter to sen. bill nelson, plaintiff in florida adoption lawsuit heading to white house, extremism is the new norm in tallahassee, the 2010 census is here: make your voice count, video: you're going to want to see this, video: lobby week interview with rep mary brandenburg, breaking news: florida competitive workforce act scheduled for a senate workshop, leon county commission votes 4-3 to move forward on hro, leon county commission votes on lgbt human rights law today, what an amazing night in miami, notes on amateur lobbying, first person, tallahassee drama, video: more amazing footage breaking 33 years of silence, after 33 years florida's shameful adoption ban discussed, breaking news: florida house and senate set to debate adoption ban, florida film bill's anti-gay bias is a big-screen blunder, rep. kriseman wants dadt repealed, an invitation from debbie wasserman schultz, victory in kissimmee, homophobic smears continue in gainesville, one more reason for marriage equality: happy marriage cuts health risk, 1900 casualties of florida's adoption ban, broward school board takes historic step to stand with lgbtqa students, lake worth to tallahassee: "repeal anti-gay adoption ban now", breaking: legislators ask florida to condemn policies that incite violence against lgbts, eqfl joins rep. kriseman in his call to end "don't ask, don't tell", february 2010, equality florida meets with business leaders in tallahassee, thrasher steps down as elections chair, maryland steps closer to marriage equality, join equality florida and walk for craig lowe, is the ethics chairman being ethical, gays win at conservative conference, action alert: ask the kissimmee city commission to approve domestic partnerships, guess which florida towns made the advocate's "gayest cities in america" list - miami news - riptide 2.0, florida challenges gay adoption in hollywood case, hilda hildago's life to be celebrated, alert: gay candidate under attack in gainesville mayor's race, join us for a discussion on employment discrimination, let's stand 1000 strong, the diaz-balart shake up, wmnf 88.5 fm community radio, tampa, adopted son of gay key west man gets state subsidy, safe schools advocates hold their ground, tomorrow hear executive director, nadine smith, on as i am radio, grayson out raises, well, everyone, what i did for....equality, us senate hears arguments for ending don't ask don't tell, 2010 ballot to have six proposed amendments, january 2010, obama backs equal benefits for gay partners, obama calls for end of dadt in state of the union, despite florida gay ban, miami judge oks adoption of foster child by lesbian, white house asks for a hold on dadt hearing, bill mccollum's gay-rights clock stuck in 1977, democratic candidates for ag differ in experience, jerry sanders: proud to testify for marriage equality, breaking: fair districts officially on the ballot, florida waits on adoption decision, join us for lobby week, march 15-17, department of justice defends gay student, haiti earthquake relief: how you can help, democrat ausley enters cfo race, excellent analysis of day 1 of the prop 8 trial, cash: who's got it, who doesn't, ap: u.s. supreme court blocks youtube broadcast of "prop. 8" trial, storms gets a primary opponent, newsweek: op-ed: the conservative case for gay marriage, long-established leader, henry woods, passes at 58, crist flip-flopping on abortion, equality florida mourns the loss of denise king, new jersey to vote on marriage equality today, sink raises $5 mil for gubernatorial campaign, greer out at rpof chairman, president obama appoints trans woman, us lifts hiv/aids immigration ban, december 2009, talk radio tonight features lgbt activists/ update, watermark: new millennium a boon for lgbt rights, december 28, 2009 - 12:22pm, 2010 election critical for florida's future, diaz-balarts yank endorsement of gov. crist for senate, ag candidate: make sure justice is done, action alert: send a letter to the hillsborough county commission, us senate advances same-sex benefits, hillsborough county commission votes down protections for lgbt employees, sink steadily rising in polls, urgent action needed in tampa bay, d.c. council has convened, the gender issue in the governor's race, dc to vote on same-sex marriage today, us senate to markup dp bill, rick warren and the ugandan connection, powerful video confronts growing anti-gay hate violence in florida, crist changing his positions an election must be near., haridopolos planning for a conservative 'new senate', florida mcdonalds manager tells transgender teen: we don't hire "f@ggots"., equality florida political brief: take action, georgia elects first openly lesbian african american woman to state legislature, new york state senate rejects marriage equality, new york state senate debating marriage equality now, orlando gsa council hosts greater orlando picnic, breaking: dc council votes in favor of marriage equality, presidential proclamation on world aids day, november 2009, federal lawsuit filed against atlanta police over raid at gay club, openly gay man picked as gop running mate, dcf: putting kids back into the system, gay nurses at jackson memorial hospital personally apologize to lesbian whose partner died there, florida competitive workforce bill filed to add anti-discrimination protections statewide, breaking news: victory tampa city council protects transgender citizens, orlando mayor dyer joins in denouncing attacks on orlando glbcc, vandalism at orlando lgbt community center, miami herald: alex sink headlines eqfl broward gala, uf study: religious left emerging to oppose right research shows growing influence of liberal christians in politics., sp times editorial: alex sink addresses eqfl gala attendees, equality florida activist , gay-rights pioneer hilda hidalgo loses cancer fight, marriage equality in ny, why healthcare matters for lgbt people, dan gelber: standing up for equality, equality florida's gsa network members protest dadt, can a boy wear a skirt to school, steve kornell's victory get nytimes mention, volusia newspaper endorses registry, senate panel hears enda testimony, breaking: tampa moves closer to adding gender identity protections, high school students demand teacher be reinstated, equality florida action pac election results, justice for ryan and something more, buju banton promoter claims $100,000 loss on miami concert, verdict expected today for 2nd defendant in ryan skipper's murder, october 2009, republican primary for governor, president obama ends ban on hiv travel, famed golden girl leaves $300k to homeless lgbt youth, update: buju banton gets new tampa & orlando venues, controversial video of crist as hitler surfaces, double victory in tallahassee, inspiring remarks form obama upon signing hate crimes bill, help us stop murder music in florida, october 28, 2009 - 4:51pm, ryan skipper foundation on hate crimes bill, president has signed the hate crimes bill, damien skipper shares his experience at the white house to celebrate signing of historic hate crimes law, sen. arlen specter pushes for lgbt equality, obama to sign hate crimes bill on wednesday, hate crimes passes the us senate, hate crimes in us senate today, new hud policy includes lgbt families, tom coburn says whaaa, equality florida action pac endorses gelber for hotly contested ag race, hospital must respect gay families-miami herald, lesbian student fights for tuxedo yearbook photo, sink has bi appeal, ex-gays want protection at disney, update: 'no end to the war between me and the f*ggots,' buju tells muta - jamaicaobserver.com, buju banton goes back on promise to stop inciting murder of gay people, senator ted deutch announces candidacy for congress, nytimes: what it costs to be gay, wexler to resign from congress, buju banton adds saint pete concert at janus landing, possible anti-gay murder in florida, lgbt finances: will your loved ones be left out, video: tampa bay celebrates nat'l coming out day, eqfl's tobias packer speech fires up national equality marchers, from the south florida blade: sofla joins national equality march, in the greater tampa bay area on sunday join us for "stories of our lives", check out the latest maine marriage equality ad - no on 1 tv ad: book, “music lessons” to air special feature on reggae bash 2009 vs. gay activists, coming out in middle school, hate crimes act takes next step toward passage- death penalty gone, crotty is out, is webster in, songs of hate - buju banton / beenie man - miamiherald.com, ny times: the higher cost of being a gay couple, meet congressman grayson - friday, october 9th, september 2009, buju banton's managers lie to media, congressman grayson joins our orlando team, cbs interviews eqfl on "murder the gays" reggae artist buju banton, ros-lehtinen criticizes anti-gay remarks by libyan president of the un general assembly, update: buju "murder gays" banton concerts, gelber leads in a.g. poll, on oct 11th: take action in dc or take action locally., women and wine - ft. lauderdale, breaking: florida venues canceling singer who calls for murder of gays, upcoming training for organizations, photos from sarasota gala 2009, sarasota gala rockets past goal, colage speak out camp, florida stands with maine: national day of action september 27th, st. pete mayor hopefuls court gay votes, mccollum supports outlawing birth control, when are we going to get over it, how far will they go, gay adoptive dad gets help to receive subsidy in his battle with florida child welfare administrators, from tampabay.com - usf will offer domestic partner benefits, wfla update advertisers are pulling their dollars from media general, urge orlando health to become more culturally competent, fl attorney general should know better, august 2009, st. pete's next mayor - an lgbt champion or homophobe vote tuesday, sept 1, redistricting campaign heats up, challenge to florida's gay-adoption ban, crist picks lemieux for senate seat, thanks for the birthday wishes, lgbt advocate senator ted kennedy passes, support openly-gay candidate, steve kornell, us senate choice imminent, fla. gay adoption ban goes to appeals court, senate race gets racial, and this is who the times endorsed wth: "foster links darwin, hitler", letter to the miami herald: we serve this country honorably, too, house committee assignments out, the next mayor lgbt champion or anti-gay crusader, st. petersburg times recommends steve kornell, florida rep ileana ros-lehtinen urges repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", fl senator mel martinez resigning-will charlie crist appoint himself, sotomayor confirmed, israeli prime minister visits lgbt youth center, stuart milk to accept presidential medal of freedom on behalf of his uncle harvey milk, pride walk raises awareness of homeless lgbt youth, hoorah enda introduced in senate, constitutional amendment to ban health care, brilliant commentary on florida's adoption ban, harvey milk & billie jean king to get presidential medal of freedom, sen. rich responds to crist's "explore adoption day", us senate to hold hearings on dadt, icon of america's roadways recognizes marriage equality, standing together as a community, governor crist gives conflicting answers on gay adoption, charlie touts adoption day, but not for the gays, hate crimes still has fighting chance | advocate.com, christian group's billboards denounce separation of church, state - st. petersburg times, senate adds controversial amendment to hate crimes bill, former us senator writes op-ed in favor of enda, the wall street journal: op/ed gay marriage and the constitution, senate votes to expand federal hate crimes, guest post from david simanoff- former wfla employee and equality florida supporter, video: 10 connects coverage of red flag rally, from creative loafing- more than 100 protest news channel ‘h8′ in gay-rights rally in tampa (video), from myfox tampa bay - wfla target of protests, from abc action news tampa bay- protesters gather outside wfla wednesday evening, from tampabay.com - demonstrators protest anti-gay-rights program aired by wfla-ch. 8, from tbo.com - gay-rights groups protest outside news channel 8, protest of nbc tampa affiliate for anti-gay broadcast, video: wtsp ch 10 coverage of red flag rally, wfla red flag rally, leon county commissioners approve human relations advisory committee, highlight from last weekend's equality campaign training, follow the money, red flag rally at tampa's wfla ch 8 this wednesday, 5pm, kudos to darryl rouson: latest co-sponsor of bill to repeal fl anti-gay adoption ban, usa today editorial: 'don't ask, don't tell' deserves to die, join our statewide online town hall, thursday, july 9th at 6:30pm, eqfl supporter at st. pete pride, what do you think about nbc screening homophobia, is challenging anti-lgbt messages censorship, sp times editorial condemns anti-lgbt program, st. petersburg's gay community seeks to become key voting bloc in mayor and council elections, shame on you nbc channel 8- time to admit your mistakes, far right-wing campaign targets openly gay obama appointee, update: shame on you wfla nbc channel 8, tampa bay channel 8 to air homophobic infomercial tonight, obama protecting federal trans employees, action alert: fully inclusive enda introduced ask your representative to become a cosponsor, we must change tallahassee, immigration laws affect the glbtq community too, video of dr. jill biden at glsen respect awards, florida legislators urge president to repeal dadt, will florida recognize gay adoptions from other states, thanks- but is it enough, eqfl member victim of homophobic/anti-semitic vandals, breaking news: obama to extend benefits to gay federal workers, editorial - a bad call on gay rights - nytimes.com, senate hate crimes vote expected this week, delegates oppose gay-inclusive charter change | the ledger | lakeland, fl, god, guns and gays: far right slams mccollum as too moderate on gay issues, washington blade: doj says "stupid things" but isrequired to defend doma, obama admin moves to dismiss defense of marriage act challenge, where is your "voice", equality florida's island summer reception- miami, highest ranking lgbt obama admin official delivers stirring pride speech | advocate.com, a sneaky way to rig an election, nasa celebrates pride month; encourages respect for lgbt employees, broward sherriff's new diversity council to address lgbt issues, breaking news | city of miami approves domestic partnership ordinance, commentary: obama absent on gay rights - cnn.com, conservatives shift in favor of openly gay service members, lesbian mom & activist, announces candidacy for miami-dade county commission, equality florida seeks unpaid research fellow, june 10, 2009 - 11:53am, action alert: help pass domestic partner benefits in miami, richard steinberg announces his 2010 plans on facebook, fla. christian coalition head baxley quits to endorse rubio, sink leads in latest poll, dan gelber jumps into ag race, supreme court rejects challenge to 'don't ask, don't tell', radio shock jocks apologizes for urging anti-transgender violence, dunedin prohibits transgender discrimination - st. petersburg times, five ways that gay couples lose big on taxes, equality fl news, west virginia court sides with gay foster parents, cnn: 4 teens charged as adults in tampa locker room sexual assault case, update: snapple, sonic & chipotle pull advertising from krxq : glaadblog.org, time to be one or back one, nadine smith to speak at carlton fields - monday, june 8th, june 4, 2009 - 11:48am, victory new hampshire becomes 6th marriage equality state, ncte action alert: whole body imaging vote in congress, from daily kos: florida democratic party finally speaks up for glbt rights, gay us diplomats to receive equal benefits, voter's punish gay baiting candidate, shepard smith calls cheney's gay marriage stance a "cop out", gay group gathers at 'straight' bars | cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com, radio personality calls for violence against transgender youth, dr. jill biden makes commitment to creating safe schools for lgbtq students, cheney endorses marriage equality, anti-gay attack in today's north miami mayor's race, are you ready to make a real difference camp equality florida july 11-12th, president obama issue lgbt pride month proclamation, evangelical leader says christians should apologize for treatment of gay americans, frank schaeffer: how i (and other "pro-life" leaders) contributed to dr. tiller's murder, naples demonstrations held to support same-sex marriage : lee county : naples daily news, teachers told students ‘gay’ means happy, video of prop 8 lgbt protest in pinellas: “am i not a citizen” | the political whore, "no excuses. no delays." do we really mean it, david hyde pierce on his marriage, prop 8 anger (video), rob thomas: the big gay chip on my shoulder, florida: openly gay candidate in florida gets a standing ovation after answering the "gay" question, excerpt from justice j. moreno's dissent today in the ca. supreme court decision (6 to 1), want to do something about today's california supreme court ruling on prop 8, but not quite sure what, statement by d’arcy kemnitz, executive director of the national lgbt bar association, on the supreme court nomination of sonia sotomayor, military leader gives squishy answer to "don't ask, don't tell" repeal question, columnist frank rich - la cage aux democrats - nytimes.com, [video] marie osmond: "so what if my daughter's gay", miami herald: all-white slate may be liability - political currents, two little boys - by the numbers blog - nytimes.com, [video] outrage film on the view-blogactive, california marriage decision arrives tuesday 5/26, 1pm (edt), school censors students harvey milk report, everyone matters - transgender equality-| please share this video widely, lesbian sues when partner dies alone in florida hospital - abc news, (video) interview with lt. colonel who is being discharged for being gay, aubrey sarvis: air force boots their 25 million dollar aviator (he's gay) video, senate president atwater to jump into cfo race, tgif feelgood story: it's never too early to fight for equality, decision time: california marriage ruling imminent, the daily show slams pres. obama for failing to prevent firing of gay soldier, tampa gala raises over $70,000, slowly but surely the archaic anti-gay adoption ban crumbles, alex sink is running for governor, does aaa discriminate against gay couples, crist is in, let the games begin, tampa mayor pam iorio recieves award at equality florida gala, deputies: four teens raped another in walker middle school locker room, ken pruitt resigns from senate, federal anti bullying legislation introduced in the house, democracy wins again, maine's governor signs marriage equality bill into law, tampa gala is a sell out - sponsorship tickets still available, breaking: maine passes marriage equality bill 89-58, rubio is in and the race is on, msnbc's david shuster takes on gay marriage hater - 05/01/09, jeb bush among republican leaders looking to shine party image - cnn.com, miami herald: new film ‘outrage’ doesn't 'out' gov. crist, oprah spotlights lesbian marriage in iowa, pam's house blend:: civil rights redux; change we can believe in, rep. kathy castor speaks out against hate violence, south florida congresswoman stands strong against hate, 'top gun' star kelly mcgillis confirms lesbian rumors, president obama issues support statement for hate crimes bill, take action today: congress votes on hate crimes, gay marriage spreads without backlash - abc news, voting-law rewrite on the wrong track - editorials - miamiherald.com, gop leader breaks with pack: unequivocally for gay marriage  | news | advocate.com, hip hop mogul salutes new york governor for pro-marriage stand, must see: the colbert coalition's anti-gay marriage ad (video), florida today: schools must keep prevention a top priority, youtube - gov. paterson announces gay marriage bill, ny governor to unveil bill to legalize gay marriage, charlie justice announces run for congress, youtube - merciless {gay slurs} bullying leads to child's suicide, gay lovers in exile - the daily beast, april 15, 2009 - 4:59pm, kevin burns: can a little-known gay south florida mayor be our next u.s. senator | the political wh, youtube - cast of noms anti-gay commercial get eaten by cat, guilty plea in ryan skiper murder withdrawn, rachel maddow & behind the scenes of anti-gay marriage video, youtube - response to the lies told in "nom - gathering storm" ad, anti-marriage equality ad launched nationally - gathering storm, by just one vote or by a landslide, the result is the same | right wing watch, editorial - vermont equality - nytimes.com, susan stanton voted lake worth city manager | local eqfl organizer allan hendricks was there, vermont legalizes gay marriage | burlingtonfreepress.com | the burlington free press, more great news: washington dc votes to accept other states' gay marriages, gay couples forced to choose between spouse or country -- orlandosentinel.com, breaking news: gainesville voters reject charter amendment 1, uphold lgbt protections, gainesville voters take a stand against discrimination, springboard with guest speaker nadine smith of equality florida, february 2009, breaking news: ryan skipper's killer found guilty, florida lgbt college students support needed, equality florida in the news: crist in fix over supreme appointment, divorced from reality, new gop chairman: "no, no, no" to civil unions, dustin black's powerful and poignant oscar acceptance speech, sean penn wins oscar for "milk" acceptance speech, oscar winner gives shout out to lgbt youth, opportunity: colage 2009-2010 fellowship program, ny times blog: film examines a newark hate crime, batwoman: 30 years postmortem and better than ever, talking with ted: simmie williams, simmie williams, jr. murder still unsolved, orlando sentinel coverage of the ryan skipper trial, join us tuesday, february 17th, remembering lawrence & simmie, february 13, 2009 - 4:23pm, from gay and transgender issues in the workplace, from "are you guys brothers", missing link, women say mall cops arrested them for kissing, january 2009, redistricting changes clear a florida court hurdle, voting for the freedom to marry does not hurt politicians, new study confirms, the best interests of the child: new york times editorial, smith to discuss ‘what’s next for equal rights after amendment 2’, hillsborough library "gay pride" policy under review, [undo 2] bob barr: no defending the defense of marriage act, december 2008, it is important to say these things out loud., john ridley: the u.s. goes global with its anti-gayness, ny times: "in a first, gay rights pressed at un", fyi: florida beats illinois for convict public officials, newsweek "takes a bullet" on gay marriage, the associated press: top evangelical resigns after backing gay unions, opponents of gay couples marrying often cite scripture. but what the bible teaches about love argues for the other side., orlando lgbt community and allies form new unity coalition, will you join me wed dec 10th 6pm, newsweek: the religious case for gay marriage, a tremendous step forward in gainesville, november 2008, once again, florida's anti-gay adoption ban ruled "unconstitutional", today is the 10th annual transgender day of remembrance, now it's official, obama-biden lgbt plan, salvation army rescinds benefits to gay partners, liveblog with anti-amendment leaders kate kendell, nadine smith and barbara mccullough-jones, gays and native americans should be barred from adoption, equality florida launches undo 2 campaign, support options growing for gay teens, keith olbermann: gay marriage is a question of love, two men cry over the election, media statement from vote no on 2 on the passage of florida's amendment 2, 1,000 volunteers educate voters to vote no amendment 2, the independent florida alligator: opinion - religion should not serve political agenda, october 2008, uf student senate votes to oppose amendment 2, how my lesbian boss makes me a better father, president of the univ of fl and his wife oppose amendment 2, amendment 2 hurts real families, amendment 2: legal nightmare for domestic violence laws, south florida carribean news says vote no on amendment 2, miami court decision may affect a law barring gays from adopting, marriage amendment "divisive" and "underhanded", turnout could affect same-sex marriage bans - usatoday.com, vote no on 2 rally in tallahassee, viewpoints: amendment 2 threatens equality under the law : newsherald.com, apple opposes discriminatory constitutional amendment, fl amendment 2 fate lies with black voter turnout - st. petersburg times, check out poll: 56% favor ban on gay marriage -- orlandosentinel.com, tallahassee democrat - amendment 2 turnout factor - tallahassee, fl., latest poll 10/23: amendment 2 still too close to call, wftl no on 2 interview, new newspaper endorsement-vote no on 2, september 2008, finally, a fair-minded billboard thanks to the mcc, august 2008, get cool votenoon2 t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more..., creepy video from amendment 2 backers, spongebob fails to torpedo candidate, evolving or flip flop rouson update, panelists challenge rouson, disturbing video: the law is "supposed to discriminate" against gays, gainesville human rights protections under attack, press release: broward school board passes comprehensive anti-bullying policy, thank you to the st pete pride volunteers, for immediate release: miami-dade 4th county, 22nd city, to offer dp benefits, they can't deny it any more, daytona pride festival - a blog from david perreault, equality florida hosts hate crimes awareness day in capitol, eight-year effort leads to passage of safe schools law in florida, fl house passes statewide safe schools bill, senior advocates urge floridians to vote no on amendment 2, a blog from another eqfl lobbyist, here is a blog by one of our wonderful lobbyists this week in tallahassee, press release: fair adoption lobby days 2008, florida legislature shuns gay bills, fla politicians refuse support to amendment stance, loved ones say young man's killing reflects difficult life gays face in polk, a letter to sally kern from a senior in high school in oklahoma., powerful anti-hate violence/ bullying video, silent protest at mayor's prayer breakfast -ftl, equality florida 2nd annual jacksonville reception an amazing success, we are not helpless, february 2008, ellen eloquent on hate murder of lawrence king, community outraged at murder of gay 17 year-old simmie williams, jr., february 19, 2008 - 1:08pm, equality florida safe schools lobby day meeting at jasmyn, jacksonville, broward passes transgender protections unanimously, broward transgender inclusion passes unanimously, fairness volunteers launch massive grassroots action, january 2008, al gore supports same-sex marriage, homemade activism, december 2007, award in bullying case slashed, cool reports from night of 1000s dinners, classic west wing: takes on dr. laura, radio-marriage amendment- strictly confidential, media coverage: jodie foster comes out (sort of), the fight is on, why florida must repeal the adoption ban, november 2007, vintage homophobia included in 1965 propaganda film, november 28, 2007 - 10:26am, rabbi opposes marriage amendment, ryan skipper psa, october 2007, tallahassee democrat - "marriage amendment discriminates", florida today - "say no to bigotry", daytona beach news-journal opposes marriage ban, tallahassee democrat - when the gay issue hits home, tampa tribune on same-gender relationships, usa today on anti-gay marriage amendments, largo, city of regress, november 2006, florida coalition for fair adoption summit, nj marriage decision, august 2006, same-sex marriage is surely a civil right, equality florida blog, 1,000 marriage equality petitions gathered at first coast pride, the alliance for glbtq youth receives $210,000, thank senator nelson for opposing discrimination, response to focus on the family ads, facing an election, rep cretul continues attack on domestic partners, equality florida testimony- fl senate anti-bullying bill, ugly words get in the way of education goals, schools may ban hurtful t-shirt slogans, new poll: a tossup governor's race, update from tallahassee- progress on anti-bullying bill- april 25th, christian right tells gop "deliver our agenda", right wing activism lags at conference, power struggle in tallahassee gop, lobby day in tallahassee, stop anti-gay bullying: safe schools lobby day in tallahassee, february 2006, gotta love that willie nelson, coming out may not be enough today, quote of the day, website is a winner.

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Naacp issues travel advisory for florida, saying the state 'devalues and marginalizes' african americans.

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The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state’s largest job sectors.

The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP’s board of directors tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida “devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”

An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis’ office seeking comment. DeSantis is expected to announce a run for the GOP presidential nomination this week.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries.

More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency.

Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.

The NAACP’s decision comes after the DeSantis’ administration in January rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course .

DeSantis and Republican lawmakers also have pressed forward with measures that ban state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory, and also passed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.

In its warning for Hispanic travelers considering a visit to Florida, LULAC cited a new law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver’s licenses held by undocumented immigrants, among other things.

The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics have said is intended to dissuade immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from seeking medical care.

“The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state,” said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice president for the Southeast region.

Recent efforts to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, the removal of books with gay characters from school libraries, a recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors, new restrictions on abortion access and a law allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit contributed to Equality Florida’s warning.

“Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state,” Equality Florida’s advisory said.

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Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix returns to South Florida. Here's what you need to know

By Hunter Geisel

Updated on: April 18, 2024 / 1:26 PM EDT / CBS Miami

MIAMI GARDENS — In about two weeks, Formula 1 revs up again in South Florida.

South Florida Motorsports (SFM), the organizers of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2024, have announced that the international racing event will return to Miami Gardens, taking place the first weekend of May at the Miami International Autodrome next to Hard Rock Stadium.

Entering its third year , Miami has been chosen as one of the only six venues to host an F1 Sprint in 2024, meaning there will be an extra race held that Saturday and guaranteeing high-octane action throughout the weekend.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's race.

Now available for purchase, the General Admission Campus Pass offers three days of on-track action throughout the weekend and across the Autodrome.

For $150 per day, the General Admission Campus Pass offers a variety of views, food, art and entertainment for an immersive F1 weekend to reflect "the culture of Miami throughout," SFM stated.

The pass includes access to the 300 level of Hard Rock Stadium to see the F1 Team Village on the football field, the support paddocks, an expanded F1 Fan Zone, a view of the winners' podium and access to the track at the end of the race. According to the event organizers, the support paddocks access, which hosts the F1 Academy and Porsche series, is new this year for Campus Pass holders.

"We have been eagerly anticipating the launch of this year's Campus Pass and are excited to announce it is now available for fans," stated Tyler Epp, president of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. "As we enter the third year of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, we are proud and excited to welcome fans to our beautiful Campus, which is entirely unique in auto racing and has been thoughtfully imagined and perfected to provide the best fan experience on the Formula 1 calendar."

"This General Admission ticket offers great value for an immersive Formula 1 weekend," Epp continued. "And with the addition of a Sprint race guaranteeing three days of competitive action, all Campus Pass holders will experience everything our race is famous for, from the exciting on-track racing to the very best music, food and culture Miami has to offer."

To purchase tickets, visit f1miamigp.com/tickets .

On the Track

The Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix begins Friday, May 3, and concludes on Sunday, May 5. Below is the preliminary schedule of racing events. The exact times have not yet been announced, but the schedule will be updated when more information is released.

Friday, May 3

• F1 Academy First Practice Session — TBD
• Formula 1 First Practice Session — TBD
• Porsche Carrera Cup North America First Practice Session — TBD
• F1 Academy Second Practice Session — TBD
• F1 Sprint Qualifying Session — TBD
• Porsche Carrera Cup North America Second Practice Session — TBD

Saturday, May 4

• F1 Academy Qualifying Session — TBD
• F1 Sprint Race — TBD
• Porsche Carrera Cup North America Qualifying Session — TBD
• F1 Academy First Race — TBD
• Formula 1 Qualifying Session — TBD
• Porsche Carrera Cup North America First Race — TBD

Sunday, May 5

• Porsche Carrera Cup North America Second Race — TBD
• Ferrari Parade Laps — TBD
• F1 Academy Second Race — TBD
• Formula 1 Drivers' Parade — TBD
• Formula 1 Grand Prix — TBD

For the first time, Miami will be one of six locations to host a Sprint race in 2024. Held on Saturday, the Sprint is roughly a third the distance of a Grand Prix and "will guarantee three days of competitive action" in Miami Gardens this year, SFM stated. The other locations to host Sprints include Austin, Texas; China, Austria, Brazil and Qatar.

On track, there will be no changes to the driver lineups for the first time in the sport's history. This means Florida's Logan Sargeant will enjoy another season at Williams Racing as the American driver, who is looking to build on his rookie campaign from last year. According to SFM, Sargeant turned 23 on New Year's Eve and will be keen to increase his points haul going into this season.

One notable change to the 10 teams is the departure of Alfa Romeo, meaning that the Swiss-based Sauber squad will be known as the Stake F1 Team moving forward before Audi takes ownership of the organization full-time in 2026, SFM stated.

However, a new addition to this season will be the F1 Academy — the innovative junior series that has been created to prepare female drivers for higher levels of motorsport competition, to find a future female Formula 1 star. The championship will visit seven different venues this year and every round will form a part of the support package of a Grand Prix weekend. Each team will also feature a car that will be affiliated to one of the 10 F1 teams. Miami is set to host a round during its weekend, which will further add to the action to the third staging of a Formula 1 race at Hard Rock Stadium.

Off-road Activities

Other than watching the fast cars and races, there are plenty of things to do at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

For starters, there will be a live auction on Saturday night. In partnership with international car auction house Bonhams | Cars, fans will be able to enjoy the display of contemporary, modern supercars and Formula 1 race cars around the Miami campus during the weekend.

Aside from the auction, fans will be delighted to hear that the Hard Rock Beach Club returns for 2024. As one of the most iconic hospitality spaces at the Autodrome, the venue is located on the outside of Turns 11-13 on the track and is the place where "South Beach meets Formula 1," SFM stated.

Exclusively available to Hard Rock Beach Club ticket holders, the space features cabana-style seating, signature pools, bars and all-day cuisine, along with world-class entertainment from top performers such as singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and DJ John Summit. SFM stated that more A-list acts will be announced in the coming weeks. If you're unable to catch these performances live, you can always watch them anywhere at the venue since they will be streamed for all fans throughout the campus.

Speaking of top performers, fans are expected to watch Grammy winner Marc Anthony to perform the national anthem ahead of Sunday's race before drivers start their engines. To cap off the weekend, Grammy-winning DJ and producer Kaytranada will close out the weekend with an on-stage performance following Sunday's trophy presentation.

For tickets, visit f1miamigp.com/tickets/club/beach-club/

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Hunter Geisel is a digital producer at CBS News Miami. Hunter has previously produced digital content for local and national outlets, covering several topics from breaking news and current events to politics and pop culture.

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What is a Purple Alert? New law adds local emphasis on Florida missing person alerts

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that made Florida's Purple Alert program more local.

Purple Alerts are issued to notify the public when law enforcement is trying to find missing adults with mental or cognitive disabilities that don't stem from Alzheimer's disease or dementia-related disorders, brain injuries, or intellectual or developmental disabilities or related to substance abuse. The missing people need to be found quickly and a fast, widespread request for help speeds up the recovery effort.

When a Purple Alert is broadcast, email and text alerts go out to the public, notices are sent to news media, and messages are added to dynamic message signs on state highways and broadcast on lottery terminals in gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets across Florida.

But that will no longer be the default response. Here's what changed.

HB 937 puts emphasis on local Purple Alerts

Previously Purple Alerts went out everywhere in the state, with priority given to the area where the person went missing or was expected to be. There will now be two levels of activation, local and state.

Under HB 937 , sponsored by Reps. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach, and Tom Keen, D-Orlando, in the state House with the companion bill, SB 640, filed by Sen. Lori Berman in the Senate, local law enforcement must develop their own policies for Purple Alerts for missing people who are on foot or in an unidentified vehicle.

Local law enforcement would then distribute information about the missing person to local media outlets, all on-duty law enforcement personnel and any other law enforcement agency in the county.

If there is an identified license plate or other vehicle information available, the local agency may then request a statewide Purple Alert, which would then trigger the highway sign messages, alerts on lottery terminals across the state, and emails and texts sent out to the members of the public who subscribe to them.

The bill also allows local or state law enforcement to open a case with the FDLE's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.

HB 937 goes into effect July 1, 2024.

What is a Purple Alert in Florida?

Added to the FDLE's emergency alert system in 2022 , Florida's Purple Alert Plan provides coordination among law enforcement agencies and enlists the help of the public to quickly find missing adults suffering from certain mental or cognitive disabilities.

To qualify for a Purple Alert:

• The missing person must be 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a Silver Alert.
• The missing person must have a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; a brain injury; other physical, mental or emotional disabilities that are not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these
• The missing person's disappearance indicates a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to themselves
• The alert is the only viable means by which the missing person is likely to be returned to safety
• A detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution is available

Only law enforcement agencies can request the activation of a Purple Alert. If you would like to report a missing person, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office first, then contact MEPIC at 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774).

How many active Purple Alerts are there in Florida?

As of April 18, there are nine active Purple Alerts in Florida . The most recent alert was for Hilary Ramos Acosta, 26, who was last seen Monday in the area of the 700th block of East Lisa Lane in Apopka.

How long does someone remain on the Purple Alert list?

The local law enforcement agency determines the status of the alert, but generally, an alert stays active until the missing person is recovered, according to  FDLE .

If a Purple Alert is activated and the person is missing in an identified vehicle, Department of Transportation road signs will be activated and remain active for up to six hours.

What are the different color alerts in Florida?

• Amber alert:  For abducted children, to broadcast critical information as quickly as possible to the media and general public.
• Missing Child Alerts:  For missing children who are believed to be in life-threatening danger, but not abducted.
• Purple Alerts:  For missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability.
• Silver Alerts:  For missing persons 60 years and older, persons 18-59 who lack the capacity to consent, or persons suffering from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
• Blue Alerts:  Issued when a law enforcement officer is killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is missing while in the line of duty and the suspect, who is considered to pose an imminent threat to the public, is still at large.

How do you receive a Purple Alert?

You can  sign up  to receive Purple Alerts (or AMBER, Missing Child or Silver Alerts) by subscribing for email or text alerts at the  Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse .

What should you do to help during a Purple Alert?

When you see an alert, FDLE says to make a note of the description of the person and any additional information such as the person’s whereabouts, and if applicable, the vehicle tag, direction of travel and location such as highway, street, city and county, and immediately call 911 or *FHP (347) to respond.

Cheryl McCloud, USA NETWORK - Florida, contributed to this article.

House Speaker Mike Johnson to deliver remarks with Trump on 'election integrity'

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson will travel to former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday for remarks about “election integrity” with Trump, two sources directly familiar with the plans confirmed.

Asked by NBC News what his news conference with Trump will focus on, Johnson, R-Fla., said: “You’ll have to see. ... I look forward to going down there."

Asked to elaborate on “election integrity," Johnson said: “free and fair elections."

CNN first reported plans for the remarks. The House is set to be in session Friday, but votes are expected to be held in the morning.

Johnson faces threats to his job from his right flank and scrutiny over his handling of thorny issues in a narrow Republican majority, including a military aid package for Ukraine and other U.S. allies that has been held up for months, despite his vows to pass new Ukraine aid.

Johnson is under tremendous pressure from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., another Trump ally, who has threatened to force a vote on a motion to oust him over funding for Ukraine. Greene, who argues that congressional attention and funding should be turned to the southern border rather than Ukraine, last month filed a "motion to vacate" to depose Johnson but stopped short of forcing a vote to remove him.

A Republican former senior congressional aide said that the meeting at Mar-a-Lago may send a message to Greene that Johnson is close to Trump and that Trump supports his continued leadership of the House GOP. “This seems to be more about motion-to-vacate mitigation than anything else,” the former aide said.

Before he was elected speaker, Johnson had boosted Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and pursued legal efforts to invalidate President Joe Biden's electoral victory. In December 2020, Johnson led an amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans in support of a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn Biden's wins in four battleground states.

Johnson endorsed Trump in November, not long after he took the speaker’s gavel.

Although Trump did not announce an outright endorsement in the speaker's race last year, he seemed to boost Johnson's bid, writing on his Truth Social platform , “My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!”

Days after he announced his endorsement of Trump, Johnson met with him at a fundraiser for Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., at Mar-a-Lago in November.

Ali Vitali is a Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.

Jonathan Allen is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News, based in Washington.

Summer Concepcion is a politics reporter for NBC News.

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Blinken will be the latest top us official to visit china in a bid to keep ties on an even keel.

Matthew Lee

Associated Press

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, accompanied by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, walk to meet the media after a bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington, Oct. 26, 2023. Blinken will travel to China, the State Department announced Saturday, April 20, 2024, as the rivals attempt to keep ties on an even keel despite severe differences over issues ranging from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over global stability. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on issues from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over global stability.

The rivals are at odds on numerous fronts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the South China Sea , North Korea, Hong Kong, human rights and the detention of American citizens. The United States and China also are battling over trade and commerce issues, with President Joe Biden announcing new tariffs on imports of Chinese steel this past week.

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The State Department said Saturday that Blinken, on his second visit to China in less than a year , will travel to Shanghai and Beijing starting Wednesday for three days of meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected, although neither side will confirm such a meeting is happening until shortly before it takes place.

The department said in a statement that Blinken would “discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

He will also talk about progress made in “resuming counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence, and strengthening people-to-people ties" and will reaffirm how important it is for the U.S. and China to be "responsibly managing competition, even in areas where our two countries disagree,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The trip follows a phone call this month between Biden and Xi in which they pledged to keep high-level contacts open, something they had agreed to last year at a face-to-face summit in California. Since that call, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has visited China and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart . Meetings at lower levels also have taken place.

Despite those encounters, relations are rocky. The U.S. has recently become more vocal in its calls for China to stop supporting Russia’s military-industrial sector, which Washington says has allowed Moscow to boost weapons production to support the war against Ukraine .

“We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade,” Blinken said Friday. “Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can’t on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.”

Blinken also has pushed for China to take a more active stance in pressing Iran not to escalate tensions in the Middle East . He has spoken to his Chinese counterpart several times since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago as he has sought China's help in getting Iran to restrain proxy groups it has supported, armed and funded in the region.

That topic has taken on new urgency since direct back-and-forth attacks by Iran and Israel on each other’s soil in the past week.

Also high on the agenda for Blinken will be Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The U.S. has strongly condemned Chinese military exercises threatening Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province and vowed to reunify with the mainland by force if necessary. Successive U.S. administrations have steadily ramped up military support and sales for Taipei, much to the anger of Chinese officials.

In the South China Sea, the U.S. and others have become increasingly concerned by provocative Chinese actions in and around disputed areas. In particular, the U.S. has voiced objections to what it says are Chinese attempts to thwart legitimate activities by others in the waterway, notably the Philippines and Vietnam.

That was a major topic of concern earlier this month when Biden held a three-way summit with the prime minister of Japan and the president of the Philippines.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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