Increasing Political Visibility for Florida’s LGBT Community

The media has recently focused more attention on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in Florida, which are playing an increasingly important role in the state’s contradictory political climate. Florida has one of the most vibrant LGBT communities in the country, while also continuing to have some of the most restrictive laws; Florida is one of a few states that still explicitly bans adoption by gay and lesbian couples.

An article published in Sunday’s Miami Herald talks about growing LGBT political clout in Florida and its importance in a presidential election year. The piece highlights the campaign responding to Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle’s anti-gay remarks, the increasing number of openly gay candidates currently vying for office, and recent legislative victories for the LGBT community – including protections for transgender residents of Gainesville. Also drawing a lot of attention is Florida’s upcoming ballot initiative on marriage, which could take away domestic partner benefits for any unmarried couple, straight or gay.

It is heartening to see that the media is focusing on more openly gay people running for office in a fair, accurate and inclusive way by depicting them in terms of their commitment to a broad range of policy issues. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel recently featured an article on Bryan Caletka, who is running for Broward County Commissioner. The piece quotes Caletka as saying it wasn’t just his work around LGBT issues that motivated him to run for office, but also his desire to lower crime in his district.

Caletka’s story is just one example of the many ways that media outlets in Florida are talking about the role of LGBT people and politicians during this significant election year.  The complexity of Florida’s political climate, in addition to its position as a swing state in the presidential election, creates an opportunity for media to analyze the unique role of the LGBT community in both statewide and national politics throughout the country.

 Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy