Orlando – The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus joins with LGBTA Floridians from Pensacola to Key West this morning as we remember the victims of the Pulse tragedy one year later.  We thank all those who have come together these past few days leading up to June 12 to remember the Pulse 49, to comfort one another and help each other heal.  We are all Orlando today – we are One Pulse today.

We stand by the friends & families of the Pulse 49 still mourning their friends and loved ones today and always.

Terry Fleming, President of the Caucus, said, “We thank the first responders and leaders of Orlando who sprang into quick action that fateful night to stop the shooter, treat the survivors and help the community start to heal.  We especially thank Caucus members Dr Elizabeth McCarthy who was called in to assist with some of the emergency surgeries that night and continues to provide medical services and Marissa Salas, a bilingual counselor in Orlando who has been providing her services to those who are traumatized by the shootings.  We also thank those in Orlando and all of Florida who stood in long lines in the sun to donate critically needed blood.

When Florida voters go to the polls next year, we urge them to vote for Democrats who believe in commonsense gun safety to keep weapons out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.

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

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

From those who fought for basic human decency at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 to those who won the battle for nationwide marriage equality at the Supreme Court, and those who continue to fight for the safety, rights and inclusion of the transgender community, we thank everyone who has helped advance equality for all!

With this month comes the 1st anniversary of the shooting at Pulse in Orlando where 49 people were murdered in the early morning hours of June 12.  We remember and mourn them always.

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

Happy Pride!

Last night, the Republican Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives announced his appointments to Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission. His appointments included radical extremist John Stemberger, president of the anti-family group: the Florida Family Policy Council (FFPC).

Despite claiming a long history of service to Florida’s families, Stemberger has done just the opposite. He led the losing effort to add illegal and unconstitutional discriminatory language to Florida’s Constitution banning marriage equality—costing taxpayers millions. After losing the fight of his career, Stemberger continued a hate-filled tirade against LGBTQ families by saying they “want to force their aberrant views on human sexuality upon the rest of society by the mandate and penalty of law.”

“The appointment of John Stemberger to a commission charged with improving our state’s primary governing document is not only unconscionable but is also a direct threat to Florida’s families,” said Andy Janecek, President of Capital Equality Democratic Caucus. “Stemberger’s radical positions against equality for all and freedom are dangerous. We’re calling on Speaker Corcoran to immediately withdraw this appointment.”

Stemberger’s record of failure has proven he misunderstands both the U.S. Constitution and the bedrock of freedom this country was founded on. The Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court have ruled against Stemberger’s radical, special interest agenda that harms Florida families. Placing him on Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission is unwise and risky. It jeopardizes Florida’s brand as a family-friendly state and could cost taxpayers millions if Stemberger pushes his unconstitutional, radical agenda into the Florida Constitution.

Today, following Donald Trump’s rollback of the Obama administration’s protections of transgender students, Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus President Terry Fleming issued the following statement:

“Democrats believe that everyone should be treated fairly with the respect and dignity they deserve — especially our students. Every child deserves to be able go to school without fear of being bullied and harrassed. The Florida Democratic Party will always stand up for transgender students and Donald Trump’s attempts to turn the clock back on civil rights will be defeated.”

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus condemns the disgraceful decision by the current Administration to exclude transgender students from protective guidance under Title IX put in place by the Obama Administration.  This completely contradicts the Jan 30 statement from the White House that it would “be respectful and supportive of LGBT rights.”

Along with the National Center for Transgender Equality and other pro-LGBT equality groups, the Caucus is committed to fighting for the rights of transgender students in Florida and throughout the United States to go to school without fear of harassment and bullying.

“The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus will always stand with transgender students and fight with and for them,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, Legislative Director.