About Us

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida?s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. 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.

Equality Florida formed in 1997 as Governor Jeb Bush took office and Florida's state government made a hard turn to the right. In an era of setbacks for progressive causes, Equality Florida has defeated every piece of anti-LGBT legislation filed in Tallahassee for 19 years in a row. 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.

Equality Florida actually consists of two organizations - Equality Florida Inc. and sister organization, Equality Florida Institute, Inc. The institute is our 501(c-3) charity organization that focuses of educating the public, elected officials, and businesses about issues of importance to the LGBT community. Donations to Equality Florida Institute, Inc. are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Equality Florida, Inc. is our 501(c-4) non-profit advocacy organization that focuses on: 1) Advocating for and against new laws that impact the lives of LGBT Floridians; and 2) Mobilizing pro-equality voters. Donations to Equality Florida, Inc. are not tax deductible, but they go directly toward supporting our aggressive advocacy and election efforts at the state and local level.