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The next Florida Senate President says he plans to shift Florida to the right. Here's an excerpt from an article in the Orlando Sentinel that is worth reading: Haridopolos is slated to be officially designated as the 2010-12 Senate president this Tuesday in Tallahassee, but he is already the face of what he calls the "New Senate" — a chamber shifting toward the right thanks in part to term limits.

Florida McDonalds manager tells transgender teen: We don't hire "f@ggots".End Discrimination. Support the Florida Competitive Workforce Act. www.eqfl.org/competitiveworkforce

With the 2010 Legislative Session fast approaching, we have been working hard to introduce pro-equality legislation. Our agenda is set and the work ahead is clear, but we can’t do it without you.

On Tuesday, December 1st Simone Bell won Georgia State House District 58 by 614 votes, a margin of 56% to 44%, making her the first openly gay black woman elected to any state legislature in U.S. history!

Note: Equality Florida deeply appreciates the tireless efforts of the Empire State Pride Agenda to ensure that, someday, our nations 3rd largest state will enjoy Marriage Equality. From the NY State Pride Agenda... Subject: New York State Senate rejects marriage equality for same-sex couples Pride Agenda Executive Director Reacts to Today's Vote on Marriage Equality in the New York State Senate

Right now the New York state Senate is debating marriage equality. 

Equality Florida's Gay-Straight Alliance Network is the only one of it's kind in the Southeast. It's primary mission is to support, connect, protect and create GSA's in high schools throughout the state. Each year, the network hosts leadership trainings all over Florida. These trainings form a regional council of leaders who commit to staying connected and supporting one another. The stellar leaders from the Orlando GSA Council gathered last week for their first student organized and executed event, a picnic for greater Orlando GSA's.

Big news coming out of the nation's capital. Today the D.C. Council voted 11-2 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in the District. There will be a second vote in two weeks and then the proposal will go to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D). The Mayor has indicated he will sign it. 

The White House

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/24/georgia.gay.club.lawsuit/index.htmlGreat news.

If anyone needed more evidence that times are changing need to look no further than the Massachusetts Governor's race. 

All along, everyone involved in Martin Gill's adoption of two foster boys agreed that the best possible home for the children was with Gill and his partner.

Organizations and businesses can sign on to support the Competitive Workforce Bill, by going to: http://eqfl.org/competitiveworkforce/

(TAMPA) Equality Florida commends the Tampa City Council for expanding non-discrimination protections to those who live, work and visit the city. Tampa is the latest city in Florida to add “gender identity” to its human rights ordinance that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. Click here to send a thank you note to the Tampa City Council

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has weighed in on the recent attack on the Orlando Gay and Lesbian Communiy Center and surrounding gay businesses. Equality Florida has joined community leaders in denouncing the acts and the steady increase in anti-gay hate crimes. For Immediate ReleaseTues. November 17, 2009 MAYOR DYER LEADS COMMUNITY CONDEMNATION OF ANTI-GAY HATE CRIME AT ORLANDO GAY COMMUNITY CENTER

NOTE: Alex Sink headlined Equality Florida's Broward Gala Sunday evening and received the 2009 "Voice for Equality" award, our highest honor. LGBT champion, Sen. Nan Rich, who is working hard to overturn the adoption ban, introduced Alex. Here is Alex Sink's official statement on the issue:

UF study: Religious left emerging to oppose rightResearch shows growing influence of liberal Christians in politics. By Nathan CrabbeStaff writer Published: Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.Last Modified: Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 2:12 a.m. A new University of Florida study finds the religious left is emerging as an alternative to the Christian right.