Conference Overview and Schedule
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is convening a weekend summer conference at Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando in 2026, gathering candidates, elected officials, activists and party organizers for three days of speeches, policy discussion and grassroots organizing.
Friday evening features a welcome reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday programming begins at 7:30 a.m. with complimentary breakfast and continues through an evening dinner at 7 p.m. Sunday concludes with a canvassing operation for House District 43 candidate Samuel Vilchez Santiago.
Featured Speakers and Participants
The conference keynote speaker is Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. In 2018, Kenyatta became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In 2022, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to seek a U.S. Senate seat, and in April 2024, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person ever nominated for statewide office by a major political party in Pennsylvania.
Other speakers and panelists include U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Jared Moskowitz, former Rep. David Jolly and state Rep. Dotie Joseph (running for Governor), former state Sen. Annette Taddeo and federal tax abuse prosecutor Earle Ford (running for CFO), state Rep. Angie Nixon and federal whistleblower Alex Vindman (running for U.S. Senate), and others.
State Sen. Shevrin Jones, who made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ Black state lawmaker, and former Miss America Ericka Dunlap, the first Black woman crowned Miss Florida, are also participating.
Policy Discussion Topics
Sessions will address Florida's new anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law, LGBTQ+ healthcare access, building political power in hostile environments, and protecting transgender rights and futures.
Policy Context
LGBTQ+ rights have eroded significantly in Florida in recent years. In 2022, the GOP-dominated Legislature passed HB 1557, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law, which banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 and restricted age-appropriate discussion in higher grades.
In 2023, the Legislature expanded restrictions to all grade levels and passed SB 254, banning gender-affirming care for minors and restricting access for adults, making Florida the first state to impose such restrictions on transgender adult healthcare.
This year, lawmakers approved SB 1134, banning local government diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, effective January 1, 2027.
Conference organizers have committed to maintaining accessible and inclusive programming, noting that whether attendees are experienced organizers, first-time participants, elected officials or people passionate about building a stronger Florida, there will be programming for them.
North American Editorial Office: Robin