EMERALD COAST EQUALITY
The outrageously overreaching bill attacks the parents of transgender youth and providers of healthcare, threatening criminal sentences for helping transgender youth access lifesaving care. It dramatically restructures Florida law on parental custody disputes and effectively treats parents seeking affirming care for transgender youth as child abusers. It empowers the government to remove children from an affirming parent and favors custody for a parent or guardian who is unsupportive of gender affirming care. Email committee members right away and tell them to vote NO on this harmful legislation. Send email via https://act.eqfl.org/a/oppose-criminalizing-gender-affirming-care-bill
Make plans now to attend the March 20th School Board Meeting. Put it on your calendar, bring a friend, and plan to speak.
The Board has ignored the recommendations of the District Committee four times. The Committee members have read the book, reviewed the laws involved, reviewed the School Board policy, and have reached a decision after thoughtful discussion. The Committee is definitely more well-versed in the information about the book than the School Board. Why is the board not following the recommendations of the committee?
The book challenges present specific agendas that are strongly anti-LBGTQ, racist, and discriminatory in origin.
Be the voice for teachers and media specialists. Many are not tenured.
They cannot speak for fear of losing their jobs.
Let's move forward! Persist and Resist! We are excited to share some upcoming events and key dates.
Sunday, February 5
Last day to join/renew to participate in the chapter election on Wednesday, March 22. Membership is open to any Democrat registered to vote in the State of Florida. Join/Renew Here.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
Individual membership: $25
Household membership: $40 (2 members)
Young Democrat membership (age 18-30): $15 (NEW CATEGORY!)
Student membership: $5 (REDUCED RATE!)
Scholarships: We do not want financial barriers to impede participation. If due to hardship you would like to seek a scholarship, please email emeraldcoastequality@gmail.com and we will be happy to have that conversation on a case-by-case basis. (Scholarships may be limited to available funds.)
Friday, February 10, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
PROTECT TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE AT THE FL BOARD OF MEDICINE
Location: Department of Transportation Auditorium, Burns Building, 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
See details and image below.
Wednesday, February 22
General Membership Meeting & Spring Speaker’s Series Kickoff
5:30 p.m. – Downtown Pensacola Library
Presentation: "A 2023 FL Legislative Session Overview." The 2023 FL Legislative Session is scheduled to officially begin on March 7 and end May 5. Join us as we learn about the important bills that we expect to move through committees this year, especially those that will affect the LGBTQ+ community, and how we can rise up, advocate and push back.
Presenter: Jean Siebenaler, Legislative Chair of the Democratic Women's Club of Florida. Jean is also president of the Santa Rosa County Democratic Women’s Club and an active member of the Santa Rosa County DEC, the Santa Rosa County Democratic Black Caucus and Emerald Coast Equality.
Disclaimer: "This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the West Florida Public Libraries or Escambia County
Friday, February 24, thru Sunday, February 26
RISE UP: FL LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus: Winter Conference 2023
The Renaissance Airport Hotel, Orlando
The in-person event with a virtual Livestream option brings together activists, allies, advocates, candidates, elected officials, and policymakers for a weekend of planning and networking. Early bird pricing and the deadline to book a discounted room is Friday, February 3.
Details and registration here. Emerald Coast Equality will provide a $50 stipend to all chapter members who attend.
Wednesday, March 22
General Membership Meeting & Leadership Elections
5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Downtown Library
Members will convene to elect new officers and two at-large board positions. Current members who have joined or renewed by Sunday, February 5 are eligible to vote. Following the election, there will be a Town Hall-style member input session. All members who have paid dues 45 days in advance of the election are eligible to vote as well as run for office. If you would like to nominate someone, or yourself, please email emeraldcoastequality@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: "This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the West Florida Public Libraries or Escambia County
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your support and engagement. Unfortunately, we have much work to do. Let's do it together!
STATEMENT OF EMERALD COAST EQUALITY ON THE SIGNING OF THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
The Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law today by President Biden, should provide peace of mind to the millions of same-sex and interracial couples in America, and their families, at a time when so many of the rights Americans have counted on are no longer safe.
Emerald Coast Equality President Jeff Nall released the following statement on the milestone legislation:
“We are very pleased, not only with the bipartisan support, but also the support from more than 40 diverse faith communities. However, I do agree with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that it is a strange feeling to see the durability of your marriage up for debate in Congress, especially at a time when 71% of Americans support marriage equality.
The key word here is respect. Respect for who each other loves and the commitment they have made to each other. That is what marriage is about, taking care of each other and family, whatever that may look like. The Respect for Marriage Act recognizes the importance of marriage and affirms that all couples, including same-sex and interracial couples, deserve respect, dignity, stability, and the ongoing protection of marriage.
My husband and I have been married for six years, together for 17. Our marriage is just as important to us as any other couple’s marriage and commitment is to them. Knowing that you will be treated equally and with respect is something that all married couples and all Americans deserve.
Though we celebrate this milestone today, we are reminded there is still work ahead to ensure full equality for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups that are so frequently under attack. LGBTQ people also still face discrimination at work, in healthcare, when renting or buying a home, when visiting loved ones in the hospital or simply when gathering with friends. We’ve seen the latter most recently with the horrific mass shooting of LGBTQ patrons and allies at Club Q in Colorado Springs and six years ago at Pulse in Orlando.
Full equality is a right that should be bestowed on all Americans and I hope this legislation is a step in that direction.”
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus was represented at today’s historic signing by President Stephen Gaskill.
Emerald Coast Equality is the Escambia County Chapter of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, which represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community to the Florida Democratic Party. Our local chapter is one of 21 chapters across the state.
The Caucus is a voice that seeks to instill awareness of the freedoms of a democratic society, educate future leaders, support the community at large, and maintain an ongoing rapport and increasing viability with political entities
We work to achieve our mission in four ways: Educate. Advocate. Support. Elect.
• Provide information, resources and support to our diverse LGBTQ+ community and its allies
• Cultivate and campaign for candidates from the LGBTQ+ community and those who support our community.
• Lobby for legislation and policies that recognize and strengthen our community.
• Promote the ideals of the Democratic Party.
Please use the form below to join our mailing list.
