Out Florida lawmaker defends bill banning kids from social media
LGBTQ+ advocates day the ban would harm queer youth's access to information, but state Rep. Michele Rayner says the harms outweigh the benefits of social media.
January 25, 2024
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florida rep michele rayner
Have LGBTQ+ rights in Florida reached a turning point? Advocates have hope
Activists showed up in numbers and stopped two bills being heard last week in Tallahassee. But Equality Florida says the fight is far from over.
March 23, 2025
Meet Michele Rayner, who could become Florida's first queer woman senator
The Democrat, who currently serves in Florida's House, will run for a safe blue state senate seat in 2026.
December 4, 2024
Florida House Passes Trans-Exclusionary Sports Bill, Sends to Senate
Florida is advancing the bill amid threats of repercussions from the NCAA.
April 14, 2021
DeSantis Press Secretary Spews 'Unbridled Hatred' of LGBTQ+ Community
Christina Pushaw conflated LGBTQ+ education with "grooming."
March 6, 2022
Florida's First Gay Latino Lawmaker, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Announces State Senate Run
Smith previously served in the state's house of representatives before losing his election in 2022.
April 7, 2023
'Thunderdome of Hate': Florida House Debates Slew of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills
Lawmakers debated bills restricting drag, bathroom access, and gender-affirming care.
April 18, 2023
LGBTQ+ Voices Fight Florida’s Oppression of Trans Youth
Hundreds of parents, children, and advocates gathered at the Florida Capitol on Monday to protest a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been proposed in the state.
March 14, 2023
Florida House Passes 3 Bills to Restrict LGBTQ+ Rights
The bills targeted gender-affirming care, drag shows, and bathroom access for trans people.
April 19, 2023
Fla. Gov. DeSantis Signs Historic 'Don't Say Gay Bill,' Enabling Hate
The much derided bill has now become law.
March 28, 2022
Michele Rayner-Goolsby Aims to Be Florida's 1st Out Person in Congress
She is currently the only lesbian in the Florida legislature.
June 14, 2021
Florida Politician Triumphs Over Homophobia to Win Primary
Shevrin Jones, targeted by antigay robotexts during the campaign, is poised to become Florida's first out state senator.
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August 19, 2020
Florida just got its first LGBTQ+ Latino state senator
“It’s also important to acknowledge and celebrate the significance of our election for Florida’s LGBTQ community, who have been relentlessly attacked and demonized by the majority party in this Legislature over the past few years,” Smith said on Friday.
June 14, 2024
Out Florida Rep Seeks to Repeal State's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
The ban may be unenforceable now, but things could change, so Rep. Michele Rayner wants to get it off the state's books.
January 4, 2021
Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Just Passed in House After Emotional Debate
The state's House voted 69-47 in favor of the bill.
February 24, 2022
LGBTQ+ candidates lose races for Florida legislature
Two gay men expected to win Florida House seats lost to Republican incumbents. Voters failed to elect three trans candidates seeking to make history.
November 6, 2024
Mondaire Jones Loses Primary; Other LGBTQ+ Candidates Notch Wins
Mondaire Jones, one of the first Black gay men in Congress, lost the Democratic primary in a new district.
August 24, 2022
Lesbian Florida Candidate Michele Rayner Ends Congressional Bid
In the Florida legislature, Rayner has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a critic of the state's "don't say gay" law. She'll now run for reelection for her state House seat.
May 16, 2022
Florida Lawmaker Fabian Basabe Opens Up About Being Cleared of Sexual Harassment Claims by Male Staffers
The Republican also talks about not wanting to be known as an LGBTQ+ lawmaker although Basabe, who is married to a woman, once said he was "a gay candidate."
November 17, 2023
Trans candidates demand their seat at the table in the Florida legislature
Ashley Brundage, Nathan Bruemmer, and Vance Ahrens are all vying to be Florida's first transgender lawmakers.
October 28, 2024