Equality Florida

From KeyWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Equality Florida Logo

Equality Florida is associated with the Human Rights Campaign.[1]

About

From their website:[2]

"Equality Florida formed in 1997 as Governor Jeb Bush took office and Florida's state government made a hard turn to the right. Our strong presence in the Capitol since our founding 24 years ago has allowed us to defeat or neutralize dozens of anti-LGBTQ bills since 1997. These bills included efforts to: overturn all local anti-discrimination policies, repeal all safe schools policies, expand Florida’s anti-gay adoption ban, and prohibit domestic partnership benefits and protections.
Through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."

Our Board

Equality Florida's board as of April 24 2021:[3]

Jeff Delmay lives in Hollywood, Florida with his husband Todd Delmay and their son Blake. Jeff and his husband were one of the six plaintiff couples that along with Equality Florida sued for the right to marry in Florida and won! They and another couple became the first couples to marry in Florida when the judge lifted her stay a day ahead of the rest of the state. Jeff has also been involved in the community at large, working extensively with the National LGBTQ Task Force and The SMART Ride and serving on the Board of Equality Florida since April for the past four years. Jeff is committed to a vision of equality that allows everyone to be who they truly are, and to a world made better for his son and for all children.
Professionally, Jeff and his husband own and operate Delmay Corporation, which provides its software, event management and consulting services to meeting and event organizers. Jeff is a graduate of Johnson & Wales, where he studied hospitality management. After graduating, he enjoyed a 12-year career working for a few of the finest hotels in Miami.
Anastasia Hiotis “Annie” retired on March 1, 2020, after nearly 30 years with the law firm of Carlton Fields, having served as its Chief Operating Officer, where she oversaw the operations of the more than 325 lawyer firm and its five offices in Florida, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, Hartford, and Los Angeles. Annie continues to serve Carlton Fields as a consultant. She has been openly gay at the law firm since 2008 and is an advocate for the firm’s longstanding diversity initiatives, which are recognized at a national level. Specifically, Carlton Fields consistently ranks as a top law firm in the country for Diversity by Vault, and the firm has received the distinction of “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality” for eight consecutive years by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. Additionally, the firm’s efforts to promote LGBT equality in the workplace are evidenced by its offering of domestic partner benefits to attorneys and staff since 1999; establishing the firm’s LGBT Alliance; and representing LGBT individuals and families pro bono in significant same-sex marriage and adoption cases for all LGBT Floridians — including working with Equality Florida and the National Center for Lesbian Rights pro bono in Pareto v. Ruvin, which allowed same-sex couples in Miami-Dade County to receive marriage licenses.
In her personal time, Annie has been extensively involved with Equality Florida since 2009 and to date, either chairing or being an active member of the St. Petersburg Equality Florida Steering Committee. As a result of years of activism, Annie was honored to serve as a Grand Marshal at the St. Pete Pride Parade in 2016, was recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as an Outstanding Voice in their 2016 Business of Pride edition, and in 2014 was presented the Voice of Equality Award from Equality Florida at its St. Petersburg Gala. Annie and her partner of 28 years, Connie Lancaster, have been staunch supporters of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, sponsoring its annual launch party each year since 2011. They were also significant benefactors to the St. Petersburg LGBT Welcome Center. Annie and Connie have lived in St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood since 1992.
Prior to joining the Board of Directors, Danny chaired and co-chaired the Equality Florida Greater Orlando Gala for 9 years, expanding it to embrace the larger LGBTQ community beyond Orlando, from The Villages to the Space Coast. Founder and CEO of a software company serving libraries worldwide, he and his husband have long been active in giving back to their community through volunteerism, philanthropy, and promoting social equality. He has served on the boards of other non-profit and civic organizations, including the Orlando Ballet and the City of Winter Park Public Arts Advisory Board. Danny brings to the Board his business acumen and pragmatism, with a passion for equality and social justice.
Danny lives in Winter Park, Florida with his husband and partner of 30 years, Enrique de la Torre.
Victor Diaz-Herman is a proud Floridian, born and raised in Miami, he studied at Florida State University and the University of South Florida.
Victor is the Executive Director at Pridelines, South Florida’s oldest LGBTQ service agency and Miami’s LGBTQ Community Center. He is also an Operations Consultant, providing services to companies such as Worth International Media, a Florida based marketing solutions company established in 1967. He is one of fifteen members of the National LGBTQ Task Force’s National Action Council.
The son of lesbian mothers, Victor has been a member of and an activist for the LGBTQ community since he marched in Washington as a toddler on his mom’s back. His first job after college was as the Festival Coordinator and then Operations Manager at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (now MiFo Film Festival). He served on the board of Pridelines Youth Services for three years prior to joining the organization as Executive Director in 2010. He also served as a Chairperson for the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival for 5 years.
Victor is the recipient of the Miami Foundation’s Miami Leaders fellowship, the Victory Fund’s LGBTQ Movement Leaders Fellowship, and the SAVE Dade (now SAVE) Young Luminaries award.
Donn Smith-Lopez is a Gainesville-area native who returned to Florida after living for many years in San Francisco. His family is very active in the United Church of Gainesville (2015 Voice for Equality Award winner) which promotes an inclusive spiritual sanctuary for LGBTQ+ individuals by advocating for civil rights equality and the full inclusion of all people in society. Donn has served on the City of Gainesville Human Rights Board, Human Rights Council of North Central Florida Board and on local LGBTQ+ civil rights task-forces including, most recently, the ban on conversion therapy in Gainesville and Alachua County. In addition, he has co-chaired the Equality Florida Greater Gainesville Gala and served on its Steering and Host Committees.
Professionally, Donn has many years of experience in healthcare administration including private medical practices, Stanford University Medical Center and, currently, at UF Health-Shands Hospital. He also enjoys his part-time work as a medical coding instructor for adult learners. Donn has a Bachelor of Health Services Administration from Florida International University in Miami.
Donn and his husband, Dr. Melvin Smith-Lopez, are the parents of two happy toddlers. They are actively involved with their friends and large family and in social justice and diversity issues within their community. They enjoy traveling, particularly within Florida.
Nadine Smith is the Executive Director of Equality Florida, the state's largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
An award-winning journalist turned organizer, Nadine was one of four national co-chairs of the 1993 March on Washington. She was part of the historic meeting between then - President Bill Clinton - the first Oval Office meeting between a sitting President and gay community leaders. She served on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization.
She is s a Florida Chamber Foundation Trustee and served on President Barack Obama's National Finance Committee.
Nadine has been named one of the state's "Most Powerful and Influential Women" by the Florida Diversity Council. She has received the League of Women Voters Woman of Distinction Award and in 2018 was named one of the 100 Most Influential Floridians by Influence Magazine. She currently serves as chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Florida Advisory Committee.
She lives in St. Petersburg with her wife Andrea and son Logan.
Susan Bottcher was raised in Ft. Lauderdale and moved to Gainesville in 1975 to attend the University of Florida. Susan became active in politics in 2004, joining the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee and served as chair of the ACDEC Campaign Planning Committee and as State Committeewoman 2008-2012. She worked in varying capacities on political campaigns for progressive candidates for city and county commission, school board and state and congressional campaigns. In 2008, she was elected as a delegate for then Senator Barack Obama to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Co.
In 2009, Susan joined the effort to defeat a local anti-transgender “bathroom ordinance” in Gainesville. This was her introduction to Equality Florida and the important work this organization does throughout the state. The following year she volunteered on the campaign that helped elect Gainesville’s first openly gay mayor.
Since then she has served on the Gainesville Chapter of the EQFL Steering Committee that plans the annual Gala. She also joined the EQFL PAC 2009-2010, but resigned to run for the Gainesville City Commission.
She was elected to the city commission and served one term until May 2014. At that time, she joined the State Advisory Council for Ruth’s List of Florida and in late 2015 asked to serve on the RLF Executive Board. Susan is also a life member of the NAACP and a card carrying member of the ACLU.
As a straight ally, Susan knows her support and advocacy helps to amplify the issues and voices of her family members, friends and neighbors in the LGBTQ community.
Dan lives in Jacksonville with his husband of over 10 years, Brent, and their two-3 year old children, Xander and Walker. While living in Washington D.C., Dan’s passion for politics was ignited, particularly with regards to LGBTQ rights. He became involved, as a volunteer, with the Human Rights Campaign where he participated in various aspects of activities in the DC area including the National Dinner. Dan has spent time lobbying in Washington DC, on Capitol Hill, for LGBTQ rights and has met with various organizations to discuss diversity and inclusion in the workplace including such organizations as the IMF, WWF, State Department, George Washington University, Georgetown University, and the World Bank, among others.
Dan has been involved with Equality Florida’s work in Jacksonville, serving as Chair and Co-Chair of the Jacksonville Gala, hosting various events with his husband Brent, including Equality Connections, Council Mixers, and Committee meetings. Dan has met with local politicians, small business owners, influential religious leaders, and corporate leaders in an effort to gain support and the eventual passage of the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville. Dan has been interviewed by local news agencies in Jacksonville to discuss LGBTQ rights.
Dan is an active member of his firm's Equality GT business resource group. Dan’s firm recently scored 100% on the HRC Corporate Equality Index and has joined the Equality Means Business Advisory Board for Equality Florida.

(Bio Coming Soon!)

Selisse is the Founder of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s largest non-governmental organization specifically dedicated to creating safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. She is currently a consultant bringing years of experience in workplace equality, strategic planning and non-profit management to aid organizations and companies internationally.
For over 20 years as Out & Equal’s CEO, Selisse built the global LGBTQ workplace equality movement by creating a network of multi-national companies and governments to work toward LGBT education, empowerment, and visibility. When Selisse started Out & Equal, only 3% of Fortune 500 companies had LGBT protections. Through the work empowered by her vision and leadership, nearly ALL companies now protect their LGBTQ employees. In the past 20 years, Out & Equal has impacted more than 50 million people in over 60 countries and Selisse has brought the promise of equality to employees from every part of the globe.
Selisse was awarded the Outstanding Hero Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; the Parks Award in Rome, Italy; the Bonham Center Award in Toronto, Canada and has been awarded with honors from universities, corporations, media institutions, and legislators around the world. She was also awarded the Legacy Leadership Award from the San Francisco Business Times, now named the Selisse Berry Leadership Award. Selisse is the editor of Out & Equal at Work: From Closet to Corner Office, an anthology of personal stories of executive trailblazers who have transformed the workplace for LGBT people.
She has a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas and a Master of Divinity degree in theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Selisse serves on several non-profit boards focused on LGBTQ justice and equality. She recently joined the statewide board of Equality Florida, as well as Center Link, the umbrella organization for LGBTQ community centers in the United States. Selisse is passionate about International LGBTQ issues and keynotes conferences and events around the globe. She is a board member of Safe Place International, an organization that provides support for LGBTQ refugees in Greece and other parts of the world. She is an avid traveler and currently lives in St Petersburg, Florida.
Dana Farmer is a Tallahassee native who grew up in St. Petersburg, returned to Tallahassee for undergraduate and graduate degrees at FSU, and never left. During her time in Tallahassee, she was fortunate enough to have been involved in the incorporation and development of local nonprofit organizations that are now 211 Big Bend, Refuge House, and Big Bend Cares. Her early career included 15 years spent in community mental health, followed by 26 years at Disability Rights Florida, the federally funded state-designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. As Public Policy Director, she worked in both Tallahassee and DC on issues that included rights protection, abuse and neglect, equal access, housing, voter protection, and funding. In addition to serving on the Equality Florida board, she serves on the board for the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition.
Her first experience with LGBTQ+ advocacy was through involvement in ACT UP actions in Tallahassee. Then for several years in the early 1990s, she and several friends ran an LGBT Film Festival in Tallahassee which drew the ire of the national American Family Association and they attempted to shut down the showings. Their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, largely because of quickly mobilized local support eventually including the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and the Leon County Public Library, our film venue. This support was again mobilized in 2010 and led to the passage of the Leon County Human Rights Ordinance which included gender identity and sexual orientation protections. Through her neighbor, EQFL Council of Leaders member Jim Van Riper, Dana became involved in Equality Florida and has been a member of the Tallahassee Gala Steering and Host Committees for several years.
Dana and her spouse Karen Stanford have been together for 27 years. They met at a fundraiser for Big Bend Cares, Karen was teaching at the University of Wyoming at the time. She accepted a job offer from Gov. Lawton Chiles while they were attending the 1993 March on Washington, of which Nadine Smith was a co-chair – a fortuitous occasion.
Barbara was a professor at St. John’s University in Queens, NY for 22 years and retired in 2011. Since moving to Fort Lauderdale with her wife Fran Epstein, Barbara and Fran have been actively supporting Equality Florida as co-chairs of the Broward Gala as well as Steering and Host Committee Members. They have also participated in Equality Florida Lobby Days in Tallahassee, a very rewarding experience. Barbara has also been actively involved in the work of Our Fund, chairing the iGive Grant Revision Sub-Committee and serving on numerous grant review panels. In addition, Barbara serves as a reviewer for The Point Foundation’s Graduate Scholarships/Fellowship Program. Barbara is also one of the founding members of The Galt Mile LGBT Community that promotes social events at neighborhood LGBT friendly venues, with a membership of over 500 neighbors.
Barbara has been a Member of The Fort Lauderdale Education Advisory Board, Mentor in The Take Stock in Children Broward High School Student Program, Reading Pal for Broward County Schools and Mathematics Tutor for Students Beyond High School Age to Earn their GED in Project Boost – Hands on Broward.
The most rewarding aspect of Barbara’s involvement in the causes she cares about is that in addition to making a contribution, she has met many wonderful people she now counts as friends.
Angus L. Bradshaw, Executive Director of Miracle of Love, Inc in Orlando, is a thriving nonprofit leader serving Central Florida. A native of Central Florida, Mr.Bradshaw graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University (FAMU). He began his love for community-oriented care after surviving childhood cancer himself. This experience led Mr. Bradshaw to involve himself in his community through routine volunteerism and philanthropy at the young age of 14.
Mr. Bradshaw has been supporting the mission of Miracle of Love, Inc. (MOL) an HIV/AIDS service organization in Orlando, FL since 2003. Angus became the Executive Director for Miracle of Love, Inc. in 2016 after working at MOL for 13 years. He has worked his way through the ranks. At MOL he is known for his constant smile and fun-loving, compassionate, and supportive leadership. He is a revered leader in the organization and the community who is equally known for his fierce focus on making the mission. He believes it is integral to carry out the mission with each employee and each client’s self-respect, dignity, and morale intact. This is a virtue that has spread throughout the organization’s culture. Mr. Bradshaw is aware that passion is not always enough, and he continually places himself in the position of a student; learning and applying those lessons to improve services and outcomes for those under his leadership. For this, he is valued by each of his team members and is seen as a community champion with upstanding repute. This has also given him expertise in many other areas, including social services, housing, and fundraising.
Since becoming the Executive Director, Mr. Bradshaw has grown the operating budget of the organization by nearly 50% (to $3M) and has increased the workforce by more than 40%. He has grown and added numerous programs and services including evidence-based behavioral programming targeting the LGBTQ+ community and numerous housing services to support those living with or affected by HIV. Angus serves on multiple municipal committees in the Orlando Metropolitan area. These include Vice-Chair of the Membership Committee for Ryan White Part A – Orlando EMA Health Services Planning Council; Executive Committee Member for the Housing Opportunity for People with AIDS Advisory Committee; an Executive Planning Committee Member of SMART Ride, the second largest AIDS charity bicycle rides in the U.S. He is the recipient of a Health Equity Hero Award, was recognized as a Man of the Year in 2019, and was recognized by the Florida House of Representatives as a Distinguished Leader in Central Florida for Pride Month in 2020.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and everyday advocate for the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community and those living with or affected by HIV,
Angus is committed to the equity and equality of all individuals.
Awakened by the Women's Movement in 1971, Meryl Friedman took her first steps as a lesbian feminist in what was to become a very rewarding yet challenging journey. In the early 1970s Meryl was a founding board member of the National Gay Task Force and also co-founded the Gay Teachers' Association.
During her career, she was a teacher and administrator in a junior high in her native Brooklyn. Meryl has been living in Fort Lauderdale since 1990. She and her partner, Pokey Anderson, spend part of each year in rural Washington State as well.
Meryl was the 2014 recipient of the Equality Florida Service and Leadership Award and has long been a member of the Broward County Steering and Host Committees.
She has spent her life fighting the negative stereotypes of LGBT people that so often lead to bigotry and discrimination. She believes that whatever the question, education is always the answer!
David Bloom is a Miami native who, as the son of former State Representative Elaine Bloom and Circuit Court Judge Philip Bloom, was born into a life of public service. David was the recipient of the 2013 Miami Gala Voice for Equality Community Service Award and currently serves on the Equality Florida Miami Steering and Host Committees. David served on the National Board of Directors of Family Equality Council (formerly the Family Pride Coalition), the national organization for LGBT parents. He single-handedly organized the first ever LGBT parenting event in South Florida in February 2002. He served on the Steering Committee for the Valuing Our Families LGBT Parenting Conference from 2004-2009. He was recognized in 1990 by the Fenway Community Health Center in Boston for his outstanding fundraising efforts.
David is the owner of PhysicalAdvertisingWorks.com, a marketing firm that supplies printing, wearables and promotional Items to businesses and non-profits. He received the Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) designation, which has been awarded by his industry's association to only a few select professionals who have met rigorous educational requirements and demonstrate exemplary commitment to their profession. He is a graduate of Brandeis University and Harvard University.
David lives in Miami with his husband Damian McNamara and their sons Dawson and Donovan. He enjoys travelling and considers SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef one of his most thrilling trips followed by riding rollercoasters with his family.
Nathan Bruemmer is the former Executive Director of ALSO Youth in Sarasota, FL – a community center focusing on outreach, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth. He is a recent graduate of Stetson University College of Law where he was a member of Stetson Law’s Trial Team, Dispute Resolution Board, and Journal of Advocacy and the Law. Nathan is a Florida native, a graduate of the University of South Florida and a former teacher in Hillsborough County. He has worked as a consultant, educator and advocate on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth, the transgender community, and those impacted by food and housing insecurity.
Nathan was named one of the Tampa Bay Area’s “Most Remarkable People” in 2018 by Watermark Media. The Tampa Bay Business Journal presented him with the Business of Pride “Outstanding Voice Award” for his advocacy work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in 2017.
Nathan currently serves as the President and acting Executive Director of St Pete Pride. He also serves on the Sarasota County Bar Association’s Council of Diversity and Inclusion, the TransAction Florida Advisory Council, and the Board of Directors for the Rainbow Housing Coalition.

Arne Duncan Urges School Districts to Support Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs

Equality Florida touted a letter dated June 14, 2022 from then-Dept of Education head Arne Duncan related to Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, which were founded in 1988 at Concord Academy in Massachusetts by his colleague Kevin Jennings, who was Assistant Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education at the time (These clubs are now widely referred to as "Gender Sexuality Alliance" clubs):[4] See newspaper report here:[5]

Today, United States Education Secretary Arne Duncan released a letter stressing the importance of Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (GSAs) in promoting an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance for LGBTQ students. The letter cites the impact of GSAs in helping to quell anti-LGBTQ harassment and bullying.
Equality Florida has long known the important role GSAs play in creating an environment where all students can feel safe to learn. We coordinate and support the largest network of GSAs in the Southeastern United States; The Florida GSA Network. In fact, we just hosted our 2nd annual Greater Orlando GSA Leadership Institute with 20 of Central Florida's most active GSA Leaders. Check out the photo from our training and the exciting letter of support from Education Secretary Arne Duncan below.
ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION
Key Policy Letters from the Education Secretary and Deputy Secretary
June 14, 2011
Dear Colleagues:
Harassment and bullying are serious problems in our schools, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students are the targets of disproportionate shares of these problems. Thirty-two percent of students aged 12-18 experienced verbal or physical bullying during the 2007-2008 school year;1 and, according to a recent survey, more than 90 percent of LGBT students in grades 6 through 12 reported being verbally harassed — and almost half reported being physically harassed — during the 2008-2009 school year.2 High levels of harassment and bullying correlate with poorer educational outcomes, lower future aspirations, frequent school absenteeism, and lower grade-point averages.3 Recent tragedies involving LGBT students and students perceived to be LGBT only underscore the need for safer schools.
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and similar student-initiated groups addressing LGBT issues can play an important role in promoting safer schools and creating more welcoming learning environments. Nationwide, students are forming these groups in part to combat bullying and harassment of LGBT students and to promote understanding and respect in the school community. Although the efforts of these groups focus primarily on the needs of LGBT students, students who have LGBT family members and friends, and students who are perceived to be LGBT, messages of respect, tolerance, and inclusion benefit all our students. By encouraging dialogue and providing supportive resources, these groups can help make schools safe and affirming environments for everyone.
But in spite of the positive effect these groups can have in schools, some such groups have been unlawfully excluded from school grounds, prevented from forming, or denied access to school resources. These same barriers have sometimes been used to target religious and other student groups, leading Congress to pass the Equal Access Act.
In 1984, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Equal Access Act, requiring public secondary schools to provide equal access for extracurricular clubs. Rooted in principles of equal treatment and freedom of expression, the Act protects student-initiated groups of all types. As one of my predecessors, Secretary Richard W. Riley, pointed out in guidance concerning the Equal Access Act and religious clubs more than a decade ago, we “protect our own freedoms by respecting the freedom of others who differ from us.” By allowing students to discuss difficult issues openly and honestly, in a civil manner, our schools become forums for combating ignorance, bigotry, hatred, and discrimination.
The Act requires public secondary schools to treat all student-initiated groups equally, regardless of the religious, political, philosophical, or other subject matters discussed at their meetings. Its protections apply to groups that address issues relating to LGBT students and matters involving sexual orientation and gender identity, just as they apply to religious and other student groups.
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s General Counsel, Charles P. Rose, is issuing a set of legal guidelines affirming the principles that prevent unlawful discrimination against any student-initiated groups. We intend for these guidelines to provide schools with the information and resources they need to help ensure that all students, including LGBT and gender nonconforming students, have a safe place to learn, meet, share experiences, and discuss matters that are important to them.
Although specific implementation of the Equal Access Act depends upon contextual circumstances, these guidelines reflect basic obligations imposed on public school officials by the Act and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The general rule, approved by the U.S. Supreme Court, is that a public high school that allows at least one noncurricular student group to meet on school grounds during noninstructional time (e.g., lunch, recess, or before or after school) may not deny similar access to other noncurricular student groups, regardless of the religious, political, philosophical, or other subject matters that the groups address.
I encourage every school district to make sure that its administrators, faculty members, staff, students, and parents are familiar with these principles in order to protect the rights of all students — regardless of religion, political or philosophical views, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I also urge school districts to use the guidelines to develop or improve district policies. In doing so, school officials may find it helpful to explain to the school community that the Equal Access Act requires public schools to afford equal treatment to all noncurricular student organizations, including GSAs and other groups that focus on issues related to LGBT students, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Officials need not endorse any particular student organization, but federal law requires that they afford all student groups the same opportunities to form, to convene on school grounds, and to have access to the same resources available to other student groups.
The process of revising or developing an equal-access policy offers an opportunity for school officials to engage their community in an open dialogue on the equal treatment of all noncurricular student organizations. It is important to remember, therefore, that the Equal Access Act’s requirements are a bare legal minimum. I invite and encourage you to go beyond what the law requires in order to increase students’ sense of belonging in the school and to help students, teachers, and parents recognize the core values behind our principles of free speech. As noted in our October 2010 Dear Colleague Letter and December 2010 guidance regarding anti-bullying policies, I applaud such policies as positive steps toward ensuring equal access to education for all students.
Thank you for your work on behalf of our nation’s children.

References

  1. ↑ Our Board (accessed April 24, 2021)
  2. ↑ Press Kit (accessed June 27, 2022)
  3. ↑ Our Board (accessed April 24, 2021)
  4. ↑ U.S. Dept of Ed Urges School Districts to Support Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs (accessed June 27, 2022)
  5. ↑ Gay-straight alliances get support from feds (accessed June 27, 2022)
Retrieved from "https://keywiki.org/index.php?title=Equality_Florida&oldid=574809"