Events - Event View
This is the "Event Detail" view, showing all available information for this event.
If the event has passed, click the "Event Report" icon to read a report and view photos that were uploaded.
11:00 AM, Hot Topics; Pride under Attack: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights
If you are a member, please
log in to access additional, potentially lower registration fee options.
Category
Hot Topics Luncheons
Registration Info
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
About this event
LUNCHEON & PROGRAM
Fear of being harassed in public. Threats veiled and overt. Mutilated primary documents returned to owners. Laws that take away rights and encourage discrimination. In the Sunshine State, LGTBQ+ people feel like they’re under attack. But at least there’s hope on the horizon, as the Florida Legislature adjourned its regular session this year without enacting any new laws aimed at the transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer community. The League of Women Voters of Orange County hosts a June 11 Hot Topics lunch and panel discussion, “Pride Under Attack: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights,” about the difficulties that LGBTQ+ people face from state and federal actions.
The moderator of the panel discussion is Gina Duncan, president and CEO of the Pride Chamber of Greater Orlando. Panelists include George Wallace, CEO of The LGBTQ+ Center Orlando; Heather Wilkie, executive director of Zebra Youth; Nathan Breummer, attorney and board member of Equality Florida, and Gabriella Rodriguez, executive director of QLatinx.
Two years ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a slate of bills that affected LGBTQ+ people adversely, including restrictions on transgender health care, content on LGBTQ identities in schools, transgender bathroom use and drag performances. He signed into law only one in 2024, the Stop WOKE Teacher Training bill, which included a ban on instruction that “teaches identity politics.” None of the anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in the 2025 Legislature, which Equality Florida declared a victory. “Every anti-LGBTQ bill filed this year has been defeated!” the civil rights group said in an end-of-session report about how it had lobbied against the bills.
In 2024, the American Civil Liberties Union tracked more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that had been introduced in statehouses across the country, at least 49 of which were passed into law. About 220 bills would have restricted the rights of transgender people. Since January, the Trump administration has issued orders banning transgender people from serving in the military, restricting transgender care for minors and use of gender markers on passports, and prohibiting school discussion of gender identity.
Among the issues to be discussed at Hot Topics:
--What is the current mood in the LGBTQ+ community?
--How are they fighting against these actions? What challenges remain?
--What do they fear will happen with Florida and U.S. law in the future?
--What is happening with efforts to restrict changes in gender markers on birth certificates, passports and drivers’ licenses?
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at the Winter Park Events Center for a buffet lunch. The discussion starts at 11:45 a.m. at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park and ends at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for League members, $37 non-members.
Hot Topics is streamed live on the League’s Facebook page Facebook and an edited version will be available on the League’s YouTube channel, League of Women Voters Orange County - YouTube.
Visionary sponsors: Phil and Jennifer Anderson. Silver sponsors: Lyn and David Berelsman and Voting Voices — Michele Levy, Charley Williams, and Laurie and Richard Wack. Bronze sponsors: Alex and the Hon. Cynthia Mackinnon.
The League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida, is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy
Number of People Who Will Attend
Search for your information - enter the following
* This can be your primary registrant type. Only one primary registrant type is allowed per registration.
Invalid Quantity
Register Now