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Florida

News from within the borders of Florida and the fight for LGBT equality there. As of 2013, Florida legistlators have still not stuck down's the state's sodomy laws, though they remain unenforceable since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas. The state also voted to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in 2008. Florida is infamous as the home of the Save the Children campaign helmed by Anita Bryant, which led to the prohibition of same-sex couples from adopting children in 1977.

Florida students allowed to talk about sexual orientation, gender identity after 'don't say gay' settlement

A legal settlement established that certain discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity are absolutely permitted in Florida schools.

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Disgraced Florida GOP ex-Chair Christian Ziegler won’t face prosecution

Ziegler had been accused by a woman of raping her in a Sarasota apartment and filming the encounter without her consent.

Florida man held woman for ransom in motel after learning she was transgender, police say

The man claimed to be a member of an Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group

Trump judge tosses DeSantis's 'Stop Woke Law,' and calls it 'First Amendment sin'

Florida's war on progress was rejected by an unlikely figure.

Trans activists march on Florida capital as erasure bill dies

At a rally on the steps outside the building on Wednesday, LGBTQ leaders and progressive lawmakers slammed legislation threatening to erase trans identities.

Florida man convicted of antigay death threats to George Santos

The gay man told police he was only exercising his free-speech rights to let the former Congressman “know what a piece of shi*t he was.”

New kids’ book ‘Hooray for She, He, Ze, and They!’ explores gender euphoria amid LGBTQ+ book bans

Nonbinary author Lindz Amer’s new children’s picture book champions diverse representation and free expression. The Advocate spoke to them about their motivation for writing it.

Florida LGBTQ+ activist is forcibly removed at a House hearing on gun laws

Maxx Fanning, the executive director for Prism, posted the incident on social media.

Charges dropped against Florida family accused of blinding gay man in brutal assault

The alleged victim said the family was upset after discovering he was romantically involved with one of the sons.

The next Pulse shooting could be prevented by credit card companies, says Florida congressman

Proposed legislation, if passed, would stop states from prohibiting the creation of a merchant code for guns. The Pulse shooter reportedly had almost $30,000 in credit charges on guns and ammunitions.

Reporter asks Ron DeSantis why he can affirm his height with lifts, but stands against gender-affirming care

A reporter asked the governor about the hypocrisy of his stance against gender-identity and access to gender-affirming care when he chooses to present himself as taller than he is.

Mouthwatering philanthropy –Explore 55+ pics from Easterseals South Florida's 33rd Annual Festival of Chefs

The Easterseals South Florida Culinary Arts High School provides vocational training to students with developmental disabilities.

Florida Republican lawmaker pivots from banning Pride flags — to protecting Confederate monuments

Dubbed by critics as the “don’t display gay” bill, the legislation had advanced through a committee in the House.

Moms for Liberty cofounder speaks out for first time after threesome revelations

LGBTQ+ advocates have repeatedly voiced outrage at Bridget Ziegler — not because it was revealed she had a sexual relationship with a woman, but because she's supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Florida Democrats to Biden: Block trans license ban with Real ID Act

A letter signed by every member of the Florida Democratic congressional delegation calls upon President Joe Biden to use the 2005 law to block a ban on changing driver's license gender markers.

Judge tosses Disney suit claiming Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis retaliated over 'don't say gay' critique

Disney hasn't shown it was harmed by the state's takeover of a special district previously controlled by the company, Judge Allen Winsor said.

Florida criminalizes changing gender on driver’s licenses in latest attack on LGBTQ+ rights

A letter from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles cites the state's statute prohibiting fake IDs, which makes use of a fictitious ID a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years of prison or probation and a $5,000 fine, to bar the changes.

Florida LGBTQ+ advocates slam ban on sociology, DEI at state’s universities

The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s university system, made the decision to implement higher education reforms championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Homophobe Matt Gaetz is being investigated for sex trafficking and lobbying violations by the House

The Republican is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old, who he allegedly paid to travel with him.

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.