FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2020

FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CALLS ON LEGISLATURE TO PASS STATEWIDE PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY

DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, advocates are pushing for statewide protections for LGBTQ Floridians in light of several blatantly discriminatory bills that were recently filed.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the anti-LGBTQ legislation and need for statewide protections:

“No matter how Republican lawmakers try to spin the impact of the discriminatory legislation they recently filed, the bills are a direct attack on every LGBTQ Floridian – and prove the need for statewide protections. Our community is their go-to election year punching bag when it’s time to win votes and curry favor with the radical Religious Right. Today we stand with the openly-LGBTQ members of the Florida legislature who are fighting back against this discriminatory legislation and pressing forward on the protections we need.”

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The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). The Caucus has 21 chapters across Florida, from Miami to Jacksonville to Pensacola.  More information is on our website, https://www.lgbtqdems.org.

Caucus Lobby Days are coming — and we want YOU!

Join the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus for our 2020 Lobby Days in Tallahassee. There is much on the agenda, and as always equality is at stake. It is imperative that we make our voices heard.

We have two packed days of meetings with elected officials and staff, as well as a guided tour of the Supreme Court. We will also host a cocktail reception for Members, staff and affiliated organizations at the new headquarters of the Florida Democratic Party. We welcome everyone to participate!

Our draft schedule is below to help you plan. The $30 registration fee cover materials and catered lunch for both days, as well as the cocktail reception. Register here.

One other note — Tallahassee is busy during session, so be sure to make your hotel reservations as soon as you can!

LOBBY DAY SCHEDULE

Monday, February 17: Travel to Tallahassee (on your own)

Tuesday, February 18: Organizing Session, Tour, Legislative Meetings. Lunch and Cocktail Reception included.

Wednesday, February 19: Legislative Meetings. Lunch included.

We hope to see you in Tallahassee!

We’re All In to Win In 2020 — it’s the Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus! Join us March 6-8 at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside Hotel for the kickoff to the Florida 2020 election season. As always, the Winter Conference will feature elected officials and candidates, Democratic Party officials, subject matter experts on specific topics, interesting panel discussions on LGBTQ issues and plenty of opportunities for participation.

We’ll also hold a Membership Meeting to discuss bylaws changes, and conduct a Presidential Straw Poll so Floridians will know where the LGBTQ community stands.

Registration & Hotel

To register for All In to Win In 2020, click here. Your registration fee covers Materials, the Welcome Reception on Friday evening, and Continental Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday. Conference registration is $40 through March 5; then $50 during the conference.

The Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside Hotel is a beautiful resort. Book directly with the hotel here.

Lunch Session

Lunch is included with your conference registration. However, advance tickets can be purchased for $10 if you’d like to just attend and hear our exciting speakers without eating lunch. If you’d like lunch included or wish to attend the full day’s events, please register for the conference.  Cynthia Nixon will headline the lunch session along with Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan! Cynthia is a former actress, previous New York gubernatorial candidate, and supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders

Leadership Dinner

The highlight of the conference, our Leadership Dinner, is separately ticketed, and dinner tickets can be purchased here. Leadership Dinner tickets are $90 through March 5; then $100 during the conference. House Impeachment Manager and U.S. Representative Val Demings will deliver the Congressional Keynote at the Leadership Dinner. Dinner speakers also include Dr. Jill Biden representing the Joe Biden campaign, and Executive Editor of Out Magazine and founder of Black Trans Circles Raquel Willis representing the Elizabeth Warren campaign.

Sponsors can click here to get more information about sponsorship packages and leadership dinner program ads.

Program Schedule

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE MARRIOTT ORLANDO LAKESIDE HOTEL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

Registration begins at 5pm

Welcome Reception
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Sponsored by the Rainbow Democrats

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

8:00am
Registration
Continental Breakfast

8:30am
Breakfast Speaker: Terrie Rizzo, Florida Democratic Party Chair

Morning Session

Welcome:

• Stephen Gaskill, President, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
• Brandon Nelson, President, Rainbow Democrats
• Wes Hodge, Orange County DEC Chair

Presentation: Forces Driving Discrimination in Florida Schools

• Carol Cleaver, science teacher; Escambia Education Association Teacher’s Union; Vice President of the Emerald Coast Equality LGBTA Democratic Caucus

Presentation: What Does That Mean? Non-Binary, Genderqueer and the New Language of the LGBTQ+ Movement

• Reign Hervey, Caucus Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Speakers:

• Adam Sabin, Caucus Treasurer, Budget Presentation
• Ben Johansen, Founder, Pulse Ribbon Project

Lunch (12 p.m. – 1 p.m.)

• Former actress, previous New York gubernatorial candidate, and Senator Bernie Sanders supporter Cynthia Nixon
• Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan
• Tickets are $10 if you’d like to just attend the lunch session to hear Cynthia and Patty speak, without eating lunch. If you’d like to lunch included or wish to attend the full day’s events, please register for the conference. This session is include in the conference registration fee.

Afternoon Session

Speakers: Tallahassee Legislative Update

• State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith
• State Sen. Annette Taddeo

Panel Discussion: Issues and Challenges for Florida’s Trans Community

• Nathan Bruemmer, former Executive Director, ALSO Youth
• Ricki Bauman, Assistant Secretary, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
• Gina Duncan, Director of Transgender Equality, Equality Florida

Panel Discussion: Convert to Love: Ban Conversion Therapy

• Eric Rollings, Organizer, Convert to Love: Ban Conversion Therapy
• Heather Wilkie, Zebra Coalition
• Jennifer Foster, CEO, One Orlando Alliance
• Stephanie Preston-Hughes, Orange Counseling

Speakers Session

• Ben Johansen, Founder, Pulse Ribbon Project

Membership Meeting

• Director Presentations
• Bylaws Change Discussion and Vote
• Presidential Straw Poll

5pm
Adjourn

6:30pm to 7:30pm
Cocktail Reception

7:30pm
Leadership Dinner

Program:

• Stephen Gaskill, President
• Congressional Keynote: House Impeachment Manager and U.S. Rep. Val Demings
• Former Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden
• Executive Editor of Out Magazine, founder of Black Trans Circles and Elizabeth Warren surrogate Raquel Willis

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

10am to Noon
Farewell Brunch
Hammered Lamb
1235 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando

12:30pm
Group Tour of Pulse Memorial
1912 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2019

FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CELEBRATES THE LIVES OF TRANSGENDER FLORIDIANS LOST TO SENSELESS VIOLENCE

DELRAY BEACH FL – Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor the memory of those who lost their lives from anti-transgender prejudice. According to a new Human Rights Campaign report, 22 transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2019. Three of those victims were Floridians.

Ellie Marie Washtock
Shot on 1/31/19 in World Golf Village, FL

Marquis “Kiki” Fantroy
Shot on 7/31/19 in Miami, FL

Bee Love Slater
Burned on 9/4/19 in Clewiston, FL

Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement for Transgender Day of Remembrance and to honor the lives that we’ve lost:

“On Transgender Day of Remembrance we honor courageous individuals who dared to live the lives they were meant to live, but whose time with us was cut short. We are all accountable for ensuring acceptance, raising awareness, and providing support for our community, and in that respect today is a reminder that we have failed.

“The LGBTQ community in Florida is diverse, and that diversity is our strength. We stand united with Florida’s transgender community, and particularly our transgender women of color, who have been the target of deadly violence. Our thoughts are with them today, and our actions will support them always.”

Chapters of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus are taking part in vigils across the state:

Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County

Depot Park, Gainesville, FL
7:00 p.m.

Dolphin Democrats (Broward)

The Pride Center
2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
7:00 p.m.

Emerald Coast Equality LGBTA Democratic Caucus (Escambia)

Cactus Flower Cafe, 3425 North 12th Avenue in East Hill
7:30 p.m.

Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus

Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center
2227 Central Ave, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33713
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lee County LGBTA Democratic Caucus

Old Court House Steps: 2120 Main St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
5:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Capital Equality Democratic Caucus (Leon)

Cascades Park, Downtown Tallahassee
6:00 p.m.

Rainbow Democrats (Orange)

Valencia College East Campus
701 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, 32825
2:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches

Vigil for Bee Love Slater*
Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center
1977 SW College Dr, Belle Glade, Florida 33430
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

*State Caucus President Stephen Gaskill will participate in this event

Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County

Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center
2227 Central Ave, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33713
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Democrats. The Caucus has 19 chapters across Florida, from Miami to Jacksonville to the Panhandle. More information is on our website, www.floridalgbtademocrats.org.