Meet the Team Behind: Equality Florida

Equality Florida fights for LGBTQ rights across the state, helping to prevent discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation or gender. For decades, they have worked at the local and state level to create lasting political and social change for LGBTQ Floridians. Learn more here! 

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community. We're changing Florida through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building — so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Florida is a massive state that can't be organized from a single city or region— our success depends on carving out progress in cities and towns in every part of our state.

What kind of policy work does Equality Florida do? 

As the only LGBTQ organization with a full-time presence in the State Capitol, we work to educate Floridians on the benefits of pro-equality bills and policies and the dangers of anti-LGBTQ legislation. We’re a leading voice in representing and supporting Florida’s transgender community through diversity training, advocacy, and resource provisions. Since we formed in 1997, we’ve been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ equality in Florida, battling bad bills and championing pro-equality legislation.

How are you making a difference in Florida schools? 

We work closely with districts in implementing comprehensive best practices and policies to support and affirm LGBTQ students in Florida’s 3-million-student school system. We also provide parents with the resources they need to support their LGBTQ children. Our commitment is simple: ensure every student is protected and every family is respected. Equality Florida has been pushing back against the anti-LGBTQ agenda from the halls of the Capitol, to school board meetings across the state, to the federal courts, and vowing to hold those accountable who are politicizing our existence for their own political ambitions.

Right now is a frightening time to be LGBTQ in Florida, how are you helping to change that? 

We’re turning the tide. The 2023 legislative session was a brutal attack on the LGBTQ community, with laws passed that banned access to life-saving healthcare, doubled-down on the “Don’t Say LGBTQ” law, restricted bathroom access, sought to criminalize drag, and more. These harms are being reversed in the courts through a historic settlement to nullify the worst impacts of the Don’t Say LGBTQ law. In last year’s legislative session, we helped defeat or neutralize 21 out of 22 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced. To improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit, we also highlight pro-equality businesses that have comprehensive nondiscrimination policies and are committed to valuing all employees.