Although same-sex marriage has been recognized under Florida law, the local LGBT community is still facing issues.
“I think the opinion and the decision will stand the test of time,” said Joseph Antonelli, founder and president of the Gainesville Community Alliance. “I do believe that Florida has moved into the majority of opinion. It’s taken a long time to go through this, but it’s the right thing.”
Antonelli, 72, has been an activist for LGBT rights for 52 years and said he is concerned with employers in Florida still being able to fire employees for their sexual orientation.
“This is 2000 and what? Fifteen?” Antonelli said. “We’re still talking about firing people for who they are? That sounds, to me, absurd.”
Gabriella Larios, a 19-year-old UF women’s studies sophomore and external vice president for the Pride Student Union at UF, thinks marriage equality in Florida is an encouraging change but is worried about politicians discouraging future LGBT policy changes.
“If they’re willing to fight something that has already been proven unconstitutional, then to get other things like employment non-discrimination across Florida will be even harder,” she said, adding that racism, classism and bi-erasure still need to be addressed.
To address these and other LGBT issues, Pride Awareness Month is coming up in March and there will be events almost every day.
Terry Fleming, co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, said he believes marriage equality is a major step forward for the LGBT community.
“We’re excited and extremely pleased that we’re being accorded the same rights as straight folks,” Fleming said. “It’s been a long time coming and we’re glad that we’re getting there.”
The center has been actively engaging locals since 2007, he said.
“The important thing for us to remember right now is that if the appearance that we have received our rights is out there, then it is not accurate,” Fleming said.
Other issues that continue to be worked on include anti-discrimination protections, trans awareness, anti-bullying and HIV issues, he said.
“All of those things have been taking place at the same time as the marriage equality fight,” Fleming said. “Unfortunately, the image out there is that that’s what’s the big issue and the only thing we’ve been working on, and that’s not true.”
Although there is marriage equality, these groups assert the fight for LGBT rights and equality is not over.
“I think what we’re simply saying, and it’s a very simple ethic: Treat people equally,” Antonelli said. “Give them the same right, under law, as a citizen, at all times. That’s it. That’s where it is.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 1/23/2015 under the headline “LGBT community still fighting for equality"]
