Florida

Keshet is working with secular LGBTQ+ rights organizations and Jewish organizations to fight for LGBTQ+ equality in Florida. Along with local synagogues, we are working with Equality Florida to mobilize Jewish communities for LGBTQ+ rights. To get involved in Florida, sign up here.

(IN PERSON) Protect Transgender Healthcare from the Florida Board of Medicine

The Florida Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathy are in the process of passing rules banning puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical treatments that “alter primary or secondary sexual characteristics” for youth, and will punish healthcare providers who offer them. As Jews, we are tasked with upholding the dignity of every human being, so we are gathering to share public comments with the Boards. Join us, and we can show elected officials that people of faith support LGBTQ+ rights. 

Friday, February 10

1-5pm ET

Department of Transportation Auditorium, Burns Building

605 Suwannee St., Tallahassee, FL

RSVP here

(VIRTUAL) Florida LGBTQ+ Legislative Information Session

Learn more about the bills that affect us the most, what these bills actually mean, and what we as LGBTQ+ Jews and allies can do to fight them at our Florida information session. The session begins in Tallahassee on March 7 and ends only two months later on May 5, and it is important to act swiftly and respond to attacks on our community. Our Jewish tradition compels us to pursue justice, and together, we can make our voices heard and advocate against those seeking to harm us.

Wednesday, March 8

5:30pm ET

Online

RSVP here

(IN PERSON) Equality Florida Lobby Day 2023

Equality Florida is hosting their annual Lobby Days Program for 2023 and we will be there! Lobby Day is one of Equality Florida’s biggest and most essential programs of the year, where volunteers travel to Tallahassee and become advocates by meeting with state lawmakers on LGBTQ+ issues. Meeting with legislators is one of the best ways to hold our state officials accountable during this legislative session. Join our Director of Community Mobilization, Jon Cohen, in person in Tallahassee to make our voices heard.

Monday, March 13

Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee

200 S Duval St., Tallahassee, FL

RSVP here. 

Questions? [email protected].*

*If the registration fee or transportation costs are a barrier to your participation, please reach out to us.

Pro-LGBTQ+ laws

• Protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system
• State issues new birth certificate and does not require sex reassignment surgery nor court order in order to change gender marker
• State law does not require publication of name change announcement
  • However, there are additional restrictions and/or requirements for individuals with a criminal record
• Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations
• Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ state employees
• Hate crime law covering sexual orientation only

Anti-LGBTQ+ laws

• No adoption or foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents
• No second-parent adoption for unmarried couples
• State family leave policies do not include inclusive definitions of spouse/partner/parent/child
• Hate crime law does not cover gender identity
• Broad religious exemption law which weaponizes religion as justification for LGBTQ+ discrimination
• No nondiscrimination or anti-bullying laws/policies covering LGBTQ+ students
• State curriculum not required to be LGBTQ+ inclusive
• State law censors discussions of LGBTQ+ people or issues in school (i.e., “Don’t Say Gay or Trans”)
• No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in credit/lending
• No conversion therapy ban covering LGBTQ+ youth
• Gay/trans panic defense is not banned
• State law prevents transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity
• State criminalizes transmission of HIV
• State law prevents transgender students from using school facilities consistent with their gender
• State law bans schools and districts from passing LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination and/or anti-bullying policies
• No gender-neutral options on driver’s license or birth certificate