FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2021

DELRAY BEACH FL – The Equality Act was reintroduced in the US House of Representatives this afternoon. The landmark bipartisan legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in a number of civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, among others. Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement:

“LGBTQ Americans face discrimination everyday solely for who we are. The Equality Act is a simple but giant step that ends the patchwork system of equality measures our community faces across the country — and even across Florida. By amending key civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, the Equality Act strengthens protections for everyone. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus thanks our Florida congressional delegation for their support and advocacy on behalf of equality for all Americans.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2021

DELRAY BEACH FL – The Biden administration announced today that it has reversed Donald Trump’s transgender military ban. This action comes after Biden’s day one executive order implementing the historic Bostock v. Clayton County ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Justice Department revoking a last-minute, anti-LGBTQ Trump administration memo.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement in response to the transgender military ban reversal.

“President Biden is proving from the very beginning that his will be the most pro-LGBTQ administration in American history. His executive order today reversing the shameful ban on transgender service members imposed by the Trump administration underscores that he values individuals for who they are and how they can best use their skills and talents. Discrimination has no place in America, and especially in our military.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2021

DELRAY BEACH FL – Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement in response to the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

“Today is the day we’ve been waiting for. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take office as the next President and Vice President of the United States. With pro-equality leaders in charge of the White House, House of Representatives and Senate, we can now take big steps towards equality for all.

“Now is the time to be bold and aggressive in enacting an agenda to help all Americans. This means passing the Equality Act, ensuring DACA protections, ending systemic racism, letting science lead the way on climate and health care policy, and prioritizing the coronavirus pandemic response as it should have been all along.

“We have replaced the most corrupt and dangerous president in American history with a leader who has character, empathy, decency, and plans to turn our country around. The LGBTQ+ community stands ready to support President Biden and Vice President Harris — and work with them to build America back better than ever before.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2021

DELRAY BEACH FL – Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement calling for President Trump and his enablers to face consequences for their actions that have greatly damaged our democracy.

“President Trump deliberately incited a mob of extremists to attack the U.S. Capitol. Six people have lost their life since the tragedy, including two Capitol Police officers. Trump spent months spreading conspiracy theories that inspired insurrection and he threw the final match onto a powder keg of domestic terrorism. There must be consequences for his actions and further violence must be prevented.

“It’s clear that President Trump’s Cabinet won’t perform their constitutional duty and invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus calls on Congress to take matters into its own hands and immediately launch impeachment proceedings. Impeachment, conviction, and removal are the only appropriate remedies for Trump’s leading role in a violent attack on our democracy.

“The members of Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results must also be held accountable. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus renews its call for Congress to expel these members, and we additionally call on all businesses to end political contributions to these politicians and any organizations affiliated with them. Elected representatives who don’t abide by the rule of law must be held to account.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2021

DELRAY BEACH FL – Today the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) elected a new chair and the following party leadership:

• Manny Diaz, Chair
• Judy Mount, Vice Chair
• Casmore Shaw, Secretary
• Francine Garcia, Treasurer
• Democratic National Committee Members Nadia Ahmad, Grace Carrington, Marcus Dixon, Samantha Hope Herring, Thomas Kennedy, Sanjay Patel, Terrie Rizzo, Sean Shaw, and Steve Simeonidis, and LGBTQ+ Caucus members Alan Clendening and Vivian Rodriguez

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement congratulating the new leadership:

“We congratulate Manny Diaz on being elected Florida Democratic Party Chair. Our community looks forward to working with him on his vision to unite the party and rebuild it from the ground up, with a focus on our party clubs and caucuses, DECs, and organizers across the state.

“We also congratulate Judy Mount on being reelected Vice Chair. With the historic election of Chair Diaz, Vice Chair Mount, Secretary Shaw, and Treasurer Garcia, all FDP officers are people of color, reflecting the diversity of our party and our state. We also look forward to working with the newly elected members of the Democratic National Committee.

“LGBTQ+ Democrats are grateful for the leadership of outgoing Chair Terrie Rizzo. She is a true friend and ally of our community. Her commitment and dedication to growing our Party will not be forgotten.

“Florida’s LGBTQ+ community knows that our path to equality requires electing more equality champions to Congress, Florida’s Cabinet, and the state legislature. Our lives depend on it. With Chair Diaz’s vision and this new leadership, we are ready to do the hard work it will take to turn Florida blue and achieve equality for all.”

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