Today, the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus unveiled our priorities for the 2018 Legislative Session, and announced we would provide letter grades to lawmakers. It’s the first time the Caucus is tracking legislative activity and rating lawmakers on their support of bills in the legislative process.

Too many elected officials in the Legislature spend time advancing bills, issues and causes that are out of step with the majority of Floridians. We want to encourage movement on issues that matter to our members, as well as to Floridians all across the state. This report card tracks common sense measures that will improve life in Florida.

As you know, Caucus members are in Tallahassee January 29 and 30 meeting with legislators for our annual Lobby Days, and we’ll be discussing our priority bills for this session. Please contact your legislators to urge their sponsorship of these bills, or thank them for already signing on.

SUPPORT “Prohibited Discrimination”
HB 347 / SB 66
Provides that sexual orientation & gender identity are impermissible grounds for discrimination in public lodging establishments & public food service establishments; revises provisions of Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 and Fair Housing Act to include sexual orientation & gender identity; provides exception for constitutionally protected free exercise of religion.

House Sponsor(s): Diamond; Plasencia
House Co-Sponsor(s): Abruzzo; Alexander; Antone; Asencio; Ausley; Berman; Brown; Clemons; Cortes, J.; Cruz; Davis; DuBose; Duran; Edwards-Walpole; Fitzenhagen; Geller; Goodson; Gruters; Hager; Hardemon; Henry; Jacobs; Jacquet; Jenne; Jones; Killebrew; Latvala; Mariano; Massullo; Mercado; Miller, M.; Moskowitz; Newton; Peters; Raschein; Richardson; Russell; Santiago; Shaw; Silvers; Slosberg; Smith; Stark; Toledo; Watson, C.; Willhite; Williams

Senate Sponsor(s): Rousen
Senate Co-Sponsor(s): Thurston; Stewart; Bracy; Book; Rodriguez; Young; Taddeo; Farmer; Braynon; Torres; Garcia; Powell; Montford; Rader; Gibson; Flores

SUPPORT “Marriage Equality”
HB 6027 / SB 130
Repeals provisions of Florida law declared unconstitutional by state and federal courts.

House Sponsor(s): Richardson
House Co-Sponsor(s): Jenne; Smith

Senate Sponsor(s): Farmer
Senate Co-Sponsor(s):Rodriguez

SUPPORT “Conversion Therapy”
HB 717 / SB 696
Defines “conversion therapy”; prohibits person who is licensed to provide professional counseling or practitioner who is licensed under provisions regulating practice of medicine, osteopathic medicine, psychology, clinical social work, marriage & family therapy, or mental health counseling from practicing or performing conversion therapy with an individual who is younger than specified age; provides that such person or practitioner is subject to specified disciplinary proceedings.

House Sponsor(s): Jenne; Silvers
House Co-Sponsor(s):Berman; Smith; Watson, C.

Senate Sponsor(s): Rodriguez
Senate Co-Sponsor(s): Farmer; Book

SUPPORT “Crimes Evidencing Prejudice”
HB 211 / SB 588
Expanding grounds for the reclassification of crimes to include prejudice based on the gender or gender identity of the victim; expanding grounds for reclassification of crimes to include prejudice based on a disability of the victim, etc.

House Sponsor(s): Geller; Jacquet
House Co-Sponsor(s): Berman; Jenne; Smith

Senate Sponsor(s): Rader
Senate Co-Sponsor(s):n/a

SUPPORT “Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Magazines; Gun Safety”
HB 219 / SB 196
Prohibits sale of automatic weapons and large capacity magazines.

House Sponsor(s): Smith
House Co-Sponsor(s):Cortes, J.; Geller; Mercado; Richardson

Senate Sponsor(s): Stewart
Senate Co-Sponsor(s):Taddeo

SUPPORT “Bump-Fire Stocks”
HB 321 / SB 456
Prohibits the importation, transfer, distribution, import, sale, giving, or possession of a bump-fire stock in Florida; authorizes a person to relinquish a bump-fire stock to a law enforcement agency or the Department of Law Enforcement, etc.

House Sponsor(s): Richardson
House Co-Sponsor(s):Cortes, J.; Diamond; Duran; Geller; Smith

Senate Sponsor(s): Stewart
Senate Co-Sponsor(s):n/a

SUPPORT “Discrimination in Labor and Employment”
HB 393 / SB 594
Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act. Revises provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex to include discrimination on the basis of gender identity; prohibits an employer from providing less favorable employment opportunities to employees based on their sex or gender identity; creates the Halen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act; etc.

House Sponsor(s): Berman; Cruz
House Co-Sponsor(s) Abruzzo; Davis; Geller; Jacquet; Jenne; Mercado; Richardson; Smith

Senate Sponsor(s): Stewart
Senate Co-Sponsor(s) n/a

SUPPORT “Access to Clinics”
HB 189 / SB 320
Prohibits person from committing certain acts against reproductive health services clients, providers, or assistants; prohibits person from damaging certain properties; provides penalties & requirements for departures from sentences & fines; provides civil remedies for those aggrieved by specific violations against reproductive health services clients, providers or assistants or against certain properties; authorizes civil actions for such violations; requires court to take actions necessary to safeguard health, safety or privacy of certain people & entities.”

House Sponsor(s): Mercado
House Co-Sponsor(s):Diamond; Geller; Richardson; Smith

Senate Sponsor(s): Stewart
Senate Co-Sponsor(s): n/a

In addition, we oppose the following piece of legislation:

OPPOSE “License to Discriminate”
HB 871 / SB 1290
Designates act “Free Enterprise Protection Act”; prohibits certain discriminatory actions by governmental entities against business entities.

House Sponsor(s): Fant
House Co-sponsor(s): Plakon

Senate Sponsor(s): Baxley
Senate Co-Sponsor(s): n/a

Democratic Members will be assigned a letter grade of A through F for their sponsorship or cosponsorship of these bills. Grades are assigned to sponsorships because there’s no guarantee a bill will come to a vote. Additionally, we may adjust grades based on other activities lawmakers make in support of these bills and LGBTQ Floridians.

6 Sponsorships = A
5 Sponsorships = B
4 Sponsorships = C
3 Sponsorships = D
2 or fewer Sponsorships = F

Our Legislative Director Elizabeth McCarthy has a great take on this project: “Every member of the Legislature represents the LGBT community, and we anticipate that this effort will strengthen our ties to elected officials and help them to understand our issues. Like all Floridians, we support equality for all, and we expect to live and work in safety and without discrimination. These are issues that should not be controversial in 2018.”

Final grades will be issued at the end of the Legislative Session in March.

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus issued the following statement from President Terry Fleming:

“There can be no more pretense: President Trump is racist. In both words and actions, he’s made clear where he stands on the issues of diversity and equality. He’s against them.

“His latest incendiary, divisive outburst is just one more example, and underscores America’s shrinking leadership on the world stage and the rising white nationalist sentiments here at home – a core part of his political base.

“Florida is among the most diverse states in the country; our residents speak hundreds of languages. We have taken in refugees from Haiti, as well as our fellow citizens from Puerto Rico. Florida, like the United States as a whole, is stronger because of our diversity.

“The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus takes the president’s words at face value – we know where he stands, so we know where we stand. He has in the past attacked LGBT Americans, and we know we’ll be in his spotlight again. Still, we will not be distracted from our mission and our efforts to ensure equality for all Floridians.”

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus will be hosting the 3rd Annual Lobby Days event in Tallahassee on January 29-30, 2018! Join LGBT and supportive leaders and activists from across the state as we work to defeat a number of discriminatory bills while encouraging support for a statewide non-discrimination policy.

Monday, January 29th

Lobby Days Training/Lobbying 101
With Susan Smith, President, Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am, Check-In: 9:30am
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Lunch
Sponsored by State Representative David Richardson
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Capitol Tour
Time: 1:00pm

Lobby Days Training
Time: 2:30 – 4:00pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Tuesday, January 30th

Supreme Court Tour
Time: 9:00 – 11:00am
Please meet in front of Supreme Court building, directly behind Florida Capitol, promptly at 9:00am.

Lunch
Sponsored by State Representative Sean Shaw
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Appointments
Time: 12:30 – 4:30pm
Location: Florida House and Senate

Debrief
Time: 4:30pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Registration

Registration for Lobby Days is required and a payment of $10 per attendee covers the cost of lunch for both days and all training materials. Agendas and additional information will be provided to registered attendees a few days before Lobby Days. Click this link to register for Lobby Days!

Parking

There is metered street parking all around the Capitol complex. There are also several parking garages, including Kleman Plaza parking garage, one block from the Capitol.

Attire

Business-appropriate attire should be worn while in the Capitol. This includes suits, slacks, button-up shirts, knee-length skirts, dresses and close-toed shoes. No jeans, sleeveless shirts, or open-toed shoes. Please wear comfortable (but business appropriate) shoes as there is a lot of walking involved in Lobby Days.

Hotels

We are still looking for a host hotel for Caucus Lobby Days. We will send that information when it is available. Meanwhile, feel free to book your favorite lodging as there will not be any official events or gatherings at the host hotel.

There are several hotels nearby and within walking distance to the Capitol. Please see the list below to begin making arrangements.

Red Roof Inn Tallahassee
2930 Hospitality Street
850-385-7884

DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee
101 S. Adams Street
850-224-5000

Aloft Tallahassee Downtown
200 N. Monroe Street
850-513-0313

Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown
316 W. Tennessee Street
850-422-0071

Residence Inn Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol
600 W. Gaines Street
850-329-9080

Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol
1355 Apalachee Parkway
850-877-3171

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus will be hosting the 3rd Annual Lobby Days event in Tallahassee on January 29-30, 2018! Join LGBT and supportive leaders and activists from across the state as we work to defeat a number of discriminatory bills while encouraging support for a statewide non-discrimination policy.

Monday, January 29th

Lobby Days Training/Lobbying 101
With Susan Smith, President, Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am, Check-In: 9:30am
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Lunch
Sponsored by State Representative David Richardson
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Capitol Tour
Time: 1:00pm

Lobby Days Training
Time: 2:30 – 4:00pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Tuesday, January 30th

Supreme Court Tour
Time: 9:00 – 11:00am
Please meet in front of Supreme Court building, directly behind Florida Capitol, promptly at 9:00am.

Lunch
Sponsored by State Representative Sean Shaw
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Appointments
Time: 12:30 – 4:30pm
Location: Florida House and Senate

Debrief
Time: 4:30pm
Location: Minority Office Conference Room, Florida Capitol

Registration

Registration for Lobby Days is required and a payment of $10 per attendee covers the cost of lunch for both days and all training materials. Agendas and additional information will be provided to registered attendees a few days before Lobby Days. Click this link to register for Lobby Days!

Parking

There is metered street parking all around the Capitol complex. There are also several parking garages, including Kleman Plaza parking garage, one block from the Capitol.

Attire

Business-appropriate attire should be worn while in the Capitol. This includes suits, slacks, button-up shirts, knee-length skirts, dresses and close-toed shoes. No jeans, sleeveless shirts, or open-toed shoes. Please wear comfortable (but business appropriate) shoes as there is a lot of walking involved in Lobby Days.

Hotels

We are still looking for a host hotel for Caucus Lobby Days. We will send that information when it is available. Meanwhile, feel free to book your favorite lodging as there will not be any official events or gatherings at the host hotel.

There are several hotels nearby and within walking distance to the Capitol. Please see the list below to begin making arrangements.

Red Roof Inn Tallahassee
2930 Hospitality Street
850-385-7884

DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee
101 S. Adams Street
850-224-5000

Aloft Tallahassee Downtown
200 N. Monroe Street
850-513-0313

Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown
316 W. Tennessee Street
850-422-0071

Residence Inn Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol
600 W. Gaines Street
850-329-9080

Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol
1355 Apalachee Parkway
850-877-3171

Today we commemorate those who have lost their lives to AIDS, a disease that knows no geographic or demographic boundaries. AIDS impacts every community around the globe in some way or another, and we remain optimistic that life-saving drugs are getting to those who need them, even in the most remote corners of the world.

The LGBT community has been in the forefront fighting for visibility, treatment, and equity in research dollars since AIDS was first reported in the 1980s. We fostered a global effort that continues today.

We have every expectation that one day we will eradicate this disease. We mustn’t stop talking about AIDS. We mustn’t turn away our focus, nor slow down our efforts to end AIDS and comfort those living with it. Our success will be tied to the strength of our vigilance. That’s our challenge.