Equality Florida
@equalityfl
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Securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
Joined May 2008
BREAKING: Today, we 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.
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Tallahassee-area students walked out and headed to the Capitol with a message: "We say gay." ❤️ #DSGWalkout
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Today, lawmakers moved forward a bill to ban discussion of LGBTQ people in schools. Our own Jon Harris Maurer had a powerful reply:. "We're parents, students, & teachers. We are your brothers & sisters. Conversations about us aren't something dangerous that should be banned." ❤️
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Today, students at over 300 schools across Florida are walking out to protest @GovRonDeSantis ‘ war an academic freedom. Young people know they deserve better. And they’re making their voices heard. #Walkout2Learn .
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BREAKING: @GovRonDeSantis just signed 4 more Slate of Hate bills, threatening drag artists and Pride festivals, taking rights from parents of trans kids, making our classrooms less safe, and attacking trans people’s rights. We will never stop fighting this cruel agenda.
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🚨 ALERT 🚨 @GovRonDeSantis is fast-tracking the #DontSayGay bill, banning discussion of LGBTQ people or issues in classrooms. Help us stop the DeSantis Censorship and Surveillance State agenda. TAKE ACTION:
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WE DID IT! The bill attacking trans youth is DEAD! . TY to all the trans Floridians, parents (especially the mama bears!), healthcare experts, partner orgs whose brave, honest, loving words drowned out the homophobic rhetoric of the anti-LGBTQ extremists in the room. #Flapol
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In Orange County, school staff report that they’ve been told to take down rainbow “safe space” stickers and LGBTQ elementary teachers have been told to remove pictures of their families from their desks. Don’t Say LGBTQ goes into effect Friday. (1/4).
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While losing conferences & top students who have written off FL threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes & moving because school censorship, book bans & health care restrictions have made. .
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As an organization that has spent decades working to improve FL’s reputation as a welcoming, inclusive place to live work & visit, it's with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it's safe to travel to or remain in FL as laws strip away basic rights & freedoms.
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Ahead of today's Senate floor debate on the Don't Say Gay bill, students and faith leaders from across Florida are rallying on the Capitol steps with LGBTQ lawmakers. Today is the day for cooler legislative heads to prevail. Today is the day to put a stop to Don't Say Gay.
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Students opposing the Don't Say Gay bill have lined the entrance to the House floor before lawmakers return. They are still loud and clear: "We say gay.". #DSGWalkout
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Lead organizer of today’s #DSGWalkout @Jack_Petocz has been suspended indefinitely for distributing Pride flags. Don’t Say Gay censorship has arrived. Will you stand with Jack, @WiltonSimpson @Kathleen4SWFL @JoeGruters @JeffreyBrandes @EdEhooper1 ?.
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"If you vote for this, you're voting for people like me to no longer be able to help my kid.". Jeff Walker, a Florida dad, shares powerful testimony about his journey to support his daughter.
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BREAKING: The failure of a Florida Senate bill aimed at banning the rainbow flag—a powerful symbol of LGBTQ resilience against government-sanctioned discrimination—is a significant victory. 1/10
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Here on her birthday, Rep. @FentriceForFL is ensuring these student voices are heard. #DSGWalkout
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. 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.
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. @GovRonDeSantis’ spokesperson has said the quiet part out loud: that this bill is grounded in a belief that LGBTQ people, simply by existing, are a threat to children and must be erased. He chose @ChristinaPushaw to speak his mind. He owns this unbridled hate.
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"The Governor's office, in a series of rage tweets, accused every teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, & LGBTQ parent working to create safe schools. of complicity in a conspiracy to groom and assault children. @GovRonDeSantis , you own these despicable comments."
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TY for the outpouring of love & support. For information on vigils, couseling, blood donations visit: #OneOrlando.
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After nearly 2 years of fighting DeSantis’ "Don’t Say Gay or Trans" law in the courts, we’ve reached a historic settlement with the state that puts an end to some of the most dangerous impacts of this law for students, parents, & teachers. Read more:
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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.
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BREAKING: The Florida Board of Education has just passed a rule that expands the rule around the Don’t Say LGBTQ law to K-12 and is enforceable against individual teachers through possible removal of their educators license. The lust for government censorship is insatiable.
RIGHT NOW: The Florida State Board of Education is preparing to vote on a proposed rule that would expand Don't Say LGBTQ -- and its government censorship chaos -- through 12th grade. You can watch live:
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Our full travel advisory, along with information on identify pro-equality businesses in Florida and reporting discrimination, is here:
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NEW: The Florida GOP has introduced HB 1233, a sweeping new assault on the rights and dignity of transgender Floridians that seeks to deny their legal existence, create new barriers to medically necessary care, put anti-LGBTQ mandates on private insurance companies… 1/
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Congratulations to the first married same-sex couple in Florida - Cathy & Karla! #FLmarriage
http://t.co/ZJFwe8MiN5.
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"America was indisputably built on slavery. that is a fact. And it is a fact that should inspire shame and guilt. If it doesn't, you should be questioning your humanity. But we shouldn't be whitewashing our history to make people like me feel better."
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Yesterday, DeSantis lashed out, playing the victim at a press conference and claiming that the book bans sweeping Florida under his watch are a "hoax.". Here are the facts.
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Over 130 people are in the room to oppose this bill. Powerful testimony from Floridians who don't want to see the lives of LGBTQ people used as political pawns.
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Rep. @micheleforfl , FL's first elected Black queer woman, is here firing up the students!
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“You ban books, you ban drag— kids are still in body bags.”. Students understand exactly what the right wing’s agenda of manufacturing hysteria while doing nothing about gun violence is costing us. And they’re fed up.
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BREAKING: The FL Board of Education has adopted a sweeping set of rules that target the LGBTQ community and advance the Governor's war on academic freedom.
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The Trans Youth Sports Ban passed tonight. Shame on every lawmaker who embraced discrimination at the expense of our state's most vulnerable youth. And to those trans youth: we will never stop fighting for a Florida where you are loved and have every opportunity to thrive.
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🧵SCHOOL BOARD SWEEP🧵Last night, voters issued a stunning rebuke of the far-right's extremist agenda, defeating Moms For Liberty and DeSantis-backed candidates across Florida. Meanwhile, 75% of @eqfl_actionPAC endorsed candidates won their elections or made the runoff! 🏳️🌈🗳️.
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Today, the legislature passed the Gender Affirming Care Ban. It overrules a parent’s right to seek lifesaving care for their trans child, criminalizes providers who provide that care consistent with the guidance of all major medical orgs, & restricts access to care for adults.
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WE. WON. The FL Commission on Human Relations has said that all LGBTQ Floridians, from the Panhandle to Key West, will be protected from discrimination under civil rights law - fully implementing the Supreme Court's ruling. VICTORY for justice and equality. Love wins. 🏳️🌈🏳️��⚧️
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BREAKING: Students are mobilizing Monday to the Florida Capitol as FL Lawmakers have one last chance to stop the Dont Say Gay bill. Join them ⬇️.
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Today, hundreds of drag performers and allies are traveling from around Florida to march on the state Capitol and demand an end to DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ agenda. Resistance is contagious.
Drag artists and allies march for LGBTQ+ rights in Tallahassee, an initiative @equalityfl expects will be "the largest gathering of its kind in Florida’s history."
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Six years ago, hate walked into Pulse Nightclub in Orlando and opened fire. Forty-nine people, guilty of nothing more than enjoying Latin night, were taken. Today and every day, we grieve for the futures they deserved but were robbed of. (1/4)
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"I am the parent of a trans child. I should have the fundamental right to determine what is in the best interests of my child's health and education. Why is the state looking to make some parents second-class citizens when it comes to parental rights?".
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All along, lawmakers swore that the Don't Say LGBTQ bill wasn't about censoring us out of existence. They promised it wouldn't make classrooms less inclusive of all students & families. But our community knew & warned what this intentionally vague policy would do: erase us. (3/4).
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Thousands of students across the state are refusing to watch their classmates (or themselves!) be erased by the legislature. They're demanding an end to #DontSayGay . Are you listening, lawmakers? @GovRonDeSantis @WiltonSimpson @Kathleen4SWFL #FlaPol #DSGWalkout
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Sen. @TinaPolsky asks -- what about kids with LGBTQ parents? If they come to school and it invokes questions, then what?. Sen. @dennisbaxley suggests that acknowledging LGBTQ people is "sexual" in nature. And teachers should stay quiet. This is censorship.
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BREAKING: unhinged lawmaker @websterbarnaby calls transgender people “mutants, demons, and imps” in debate. GOP leadership allows the abuse to go on unchallenged.
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This is @GovRonDeSantis ' censorship agenda. Across the state, books with LGBTQ are being hidden in classroom closets, rainbows are being torn down, and LGBTQ families are being erased. (2/4).
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In a furious rush, Chair @JoeGruters halts public testimony, rams through a vote, and adjourns the committee. The bill passes along party lines. The march of Don't Say Gay continues despite widespread condemnation and outrage from Floridians (and the nation).
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BREAKING: LGBTQ pioneer and pro-equality champion @CarlosGSmith officially won his race for State Senate District 17, becoming the second openly LGBTQ member elected to the chamber in Florida history. 🏳️🌈🎉.
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“I am Rep. @CarlosGSmith , I serve in the Florida House, and I am GAY GAY GAY.” 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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BREAKING: Rep. Sabatini has filed a bill to ban medical care for trans kids in. Make no mistake, this legislation has nothing to do with the health & safety of kids. In fact, it gets in the way of doctors providing care & stops parents from doing what’s best for their kids.
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Four years after the tragic shooting at Pulse, we honor the 49 victims - and victims of hate violence everywhere - with our cries for change and with our votes. We must #HonorThemWithAction. Make a plan to vote at @PeteButtigieg
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Sen. @loriberman : Am I right to read that this bill would allow a parent to sue a school if their child requests a vegetarian meal for lunch and they are not consulted?. Sen. Baxley says yes.
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BREAKING: A bill has been filed in the FL Senate to criminalize parents & health care providers providing gender affirming care to trans youth. It would allow the government to seize control of kids if their parents might seek the care that is supported by all major medical orgs.
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The fatal shooting of a gay man in Hillsborough County comes a day after he recorded a video recounting the gunman using homophobic slurs and telling him, “You’re going to die, you’re going to die.”.
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Orange County Public Schools must immediately issue written guidance clarifying the way they will implement the law and affirming their commitment to ensure every student is protected and every family is respected. (4/4).
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JUST IN: A new Florida House bill, HB 901, would ban cities, counties, schools, state colleges, and state universities from flying LGBTQ or Transgender Pride flags. If conservative lawmakers won’t stop trying to erase us, we won’t stop showing up to oppose them. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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Today, the FL House will vote on a bill to expand Don’t Say LGBTQ, ban parents from telling schools how their child should be addressed, & allow anyone anywhere to challenge a book in FL’s schools. Outside, hundreds of students from across the state are arriving to protest.
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NEW: A federal judge unequivocally exposes the DeSantis administration's shameless deception, labeling it as a deliberate ploy to obstruct crucial medical care for transgender adults and children.
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“By discriminating based on content & viewpoint, it infringes the authors’ right to freedom of expression. By restricting access to a book, which was previously freely available, for narrowly partisan & political reasons, it infringes students’ right to receive information.”
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BREAKING: The FL House just passed three anti-trans bills that target trans youth, the drag community, and trans folks seeking medical care. The anti-drag bill is headed to @GovRonDeSantis ' desk. Call him and let him know what you think: (850) 717-9337.
HAPPENING NOW: The Florida House is set to debate and vote on THREE anti-LGBTQ bills -- targeting drag shows, bathroom access, and health care for transgender Floridians. You can watch live here:
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27-12. The FL Senate passed SB 254 today — a vile, cruel bill that would criminalize health care for trans youth, ban telehealth access to that care for trans adults, & weaponize the courts against child custody agreements. Sen. @Gayle_Harrell was the only GOP no vote.
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Momma Ashley Rose, small business owner, philanthropist, & drag artist, speaks out against the bill targeting drag. "This is causing Nazis to show up at my events. It's causing me to get death threats daily. And all we are here [to do] is spread a message of love & acceptance."
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Bridget Ziegler stepped on the backs of LGBTQ people, disparaged our community, and hurt our families in her and her husband's quest for political power. Bridget Ziegler must resign, and apologize to the countless families hurt by her hypocrisy, rhetoric, and extreme agenda.
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Today, @POTUS signed a bill designating Pulse a National Memorial. Surrounded by family members and survivors, President Biden promised the nation will never forget the loss suffered that day.
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We are heartbroken by the news of loss of life and multiple injuries at Wilton Manors Pride tonight. Our hearts go out to all those impacted. Our staff and volunteers at Pride are all safe and accounted for.
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The Chair of the Florida GOP is lashing out because hundreds of Floridians showed up in Tallahassee this week to challenge their right wing agenda. Help us send more:
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Equality Florida was fired up at Tampa Pride today! With the slate of anti-LGBTQ attacks in Florida, we must come together for our community. Thanks to all our volunteers that collected petitions against DeSantis’ censorship agenda!
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Leon HS Gay Straight Alliance President Kaylee Sandell and Senate Minority Leader @LeaderBookFL . #DSGWalkout
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NEW: Today’s ruling striking down Florida’s discriminatory restrictions on gender affirming medical care is a huge victory for the transgender community and for the freedom of all Floridians and their families to make their own private medical decisions. Despite the Governor…1/4
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Let us be clear: should the vague language of this bill be interpreted in any way that causes harm to a single child, teacher, or family, we will lead legal action against the State of Florida to challenge this bigoted legislation.
By a vote of 22-17, the Florida Senate passes the hateful Don't Say Gay bill and sends it to the desk of @GovRonDeSantis for a signature. Republicans Jeff Brandes and Jenn Bradley join Dems in voting no. Statement from Equality FL coming.
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🚨 ALERT 🚨 @GovRonDeSantis is fast-tracking the #StopWOKEAct to censor conversations about racism, discrimination, and injustice in classrooms and workplaces. Help us stop the DeSantis Censorship and Surveillance state agenda. TAKE ACTION:
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A vast majority of trans adults in FL access health care through nurse practitioners — who are now banned from providing gender-affirming care under SB 254. DeSantis is ripping care from people to feed his political ambitions. That is not freedom.
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This week, three Florida School Boards rejected extreme right wing candidates for superintendent, instead voting to hire leaders that committed to ensuring ALL students, families, and staff are respected.
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.@GovRonDeSantis failed in his presidential bid because he failed Floridians. He unleashed an all-out attack on basic freedoms - from banning books, censoring our schools, forcing government intrusion into our healthcare decisions. (1/7)
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"A lawsuit on behalf of 4 families with transgender children was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FL, challenging the state’s Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine’s ban on gender affirming healthcare for minors.".
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Imagine how many lives could be saved if these lawmakers put their energy into ending gun violence instead of fomenting manufactured moral panic over someone in a wig reading Red Fish, Blue Fish.
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BREAKING: Multiple, unconfirmed reports that @GovRonDeSantis is signing #DontSayGay bill today at a charter school, Classical Preparatory in Spring Hill. Has DeSantis chosen a location exempt from this bill while keeping the signing quiet to avoid student counter-protests? 🤔.
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GREAT NEWS: The U.S. Supreme Court orders that Florida cannot enforce Governor DeSantis’s Anti-Drag Law! Equality Florida has long argued that this law is unconstitutional censorship targeting our community. #DeSantisFailedUs
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A world where @GovRonDeSantis is president is a world where diversity is defunded, where books are banned, where healthcare is criminalized, where freedom is nothing more than a hollow campaign slogan. We cannot let this happen. We must come together to #StopDeSantis.
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BREAKING: A bill has been filed to expand Florida's Don't Say LGBTQ law, doubling down on the governor's agenda of censorship that has already led to books being banned, Safe Space stickers being peeled from classroom windows, & refusals to recognize LGBTQ History Month.
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Sarasota. ❤️ #DSGWalkout.
Students from @Riverview_HS joined in on the statewide “Don’Say Gay” walkout. Nearly 100 people came out to peacefully protest. What the students are saying tonight on @SNNTV. #DSGWalkout
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BREAKING: Republican legislators just passed the #DontSayGay bill and #StopWOKE Act off of the floor of the Florida House of Representatives. Here is our statement:
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"LGBTQ+ Floridians are proud, we are resilient, and we're determined to carry on in spite of the governor's obsession with attacking our community for political gain." - @CarlosGSmith, @equalityfl’s senior policy advisor 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
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Students in South Florida have walked out to protest Don't Say Gay as well. #DSGWalkout. @micheleverdiact ❤️
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“Everybody ain’t down with what’s going on in Florida. People think that because you live in Florida, like you just down with the [expletive]. We’re not. I’m not down with it. I’m not happy about it.”.
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BREAKING: Major child welfare organizations, including @FloridaPTA , FL School Counselor Association, & FL Association of School Psychologists, pen letter opposing the Don't Say Gay bill and calling on @GovRonDeSantis to veto. Read here:
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BREAKING: @TIME names Equality Florida Executive Director @1NadineSmith to the #Time100 , its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
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A FL House committee has passed a bill to let doctors & insurance companies deny care based on "moral objection". Rep. @AnnaForFlorida pulled no punches:. "This is campaign rhetoric masquerading as a bill." . She notes that it could be used to deny care to the unvaccinated too.
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❌Banning books.❌Emboldening racism.❌Censoring history.❌Attacking LGBTQ kids. @GovRonDeSantis has left a path of destruction, ignoring real problems while pursuing his censorship & government overreach agenda. We want a different & better future for us all. #DeSantisFailedUs
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After years of cruelty and attacks on our rights by DeSantis, the tide is turning—and the resistance is winning critical battles. Thousands of families across FL are showing up to challenge DeSantis' extremist agenda. While the work is hard, we'll continue fighting every fight.
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BREAKING: Yesterday, in a striking violation of federal law, Brevard County’s newly seated far-right school board majority voted to ban transgender students from accessing bathrooms that align with their gender identity. (1/5).
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BREAKING: New Title IX regulations will "officially expand the rights of LGBTQ students + staff, setting in stone definitions that will protect our community from harassment or discrimination in any school that receives federal funding. The regulations will take effect 8/1/24."
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GOOD NEWS: Counties in Florida are banding together to adopt LGBTQ+ Guidelines that will help our children feel safe and respected at school!.
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.@GovRonDeSantis spearheaded a slate of discriminatory laws & policies in Florida that pose significant risk to the health & safety of those considering relocation or travel to the state. Alongside @HRC, we have reissued our Travel Advisory—we must fight for our LGBTQ community.
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