ABOVE: Nadine Smith addresses Equality Florida Tampa gala attendees. Photo by Dylan Todd.
TAMPA | Equality Florida welcomed supporters to Armature Works for its annual Tampa gala Oct. 29, the organization’s first large, in-person event in more than a year.
The nonprofit’s galas are designed to detail Equality Florida’s work as the state’s largest LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization. Its sold-out Tampa return operated at only 50% capacity as a safety precaution and required attendees to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test result.
The evening began with a sponsors’ reception, where Regional Development Officer Nicholas Machuca presented longtime LGBTQ advocate Susan Lee with the Charlie Hounchell Spirit of Service and Leadership Award. Lee has actively supported Equality Florida for more than 15 years.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, the city’s first openly LGBTQ leader, subsequently welcomed more than 300 guests to a seated dinner hosted by area attorney and radio personality Dominic Fariello. In addition to a live auction led by former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, the evening featured a keynote from Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith and entertainment from Stageworks Theatre and the University of Tampa.
“How wonderful is it to be back together?” Castor began. “This is amazing.”
Equality Florida’s 2020 Tampa gala was its last in-person event for the year. While it raised more than $310,000 for their statewide fight for equality, the organization’s critical fundraisers in Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Key West, Miami and St. Petersburg were all cancelled to ensure the safety of staff and supporters.
A nearly eight-hour event later paid tribute to the areas, highlighting Equality Florida’s continued advocacy during the pandemic and raising more than $56,000. The St. Petersburg gala also returned in 2021 but was held virtually, raising more than $425,000.
“It really a testament to our community, the way that we were able to come through the pandemic,” Castor shared, “and it’s just so wonderful to see everyone here in this room … coming together for such an incredible cause that is Equality Florida.
“We have the fortune of living in the best region in the entire world, but we are not immune from some of the things that are coming out of out of Tallahassee,” she continued. “We need the advocacy of Equality Florida to ensure that we continue to treat everyone equally and fairly in our state.”
Earlier this year, Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature passed its first explicitly anti-LGBTQ bill since 1997. On the first day of Pride Month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1028 into law, banning transgender youth from playing sports that align with their gender identity.
On Sept. 29, anti-LGBTQ State Rep. Anthony Sabatini filed the state’s latest attack on the vulnerable population, legislation designed to criminalize health care providers who perform gender-affirming care. Castor noted that Equality Florida’s work to combat such measures requires funding from supporters.
“We do live in the greatest region in the nation, but we cannot take that for granted,” the mayor stressed. “We have to ensure that everyone in every inch of our state is treated equally and respectfully.”
Smith addressed the crowd next, reflecting on the support Equality Florida received in uncertain times.
“This was our last event before the pandemic hit,” she shared. “We went into those uncharted waters, uncertain what was going to happen if we couldn’t get together … if we didn’t have a chance to get together to celebrate, to buck each other up in the face of some really hard stuff happening in the world. We didn’t know if people would hunker down and forget that the work continues.
“I think one of the best things that I discovered in the course of COVID was that we really do look out for each other,” Smith continued. “Donors didn’t back away, they stepped up … they said, ‘we get that it’s going to be harder. We’re going to stay with you, and we can’t wait until we all get to be together again and celebrate that we’ve gotten through it.’”
Smith subsequently reflected on the state of LGBTQ civil rights in Florida, beginning with a major victory for LGBTQ Floridians secured earlier this year. In February, the Florida Commission on Human Relations – which is tasked with enforcing civil rights protections in the state – announced it would implement 2020’s landmark Supreme Court decision enshrining LGBTQ workplace equality into law.
“That means anywhere that you live in the state of Florida, if you’re discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity, just like any other category, you can file a complaint,” Smith explained. She added that Equality Florida will soon launch an campaign called Fairness Florida to ensure that fact is clear.
“We want to make sure every person understands it, every business amplifies that message and every government embraces those protections,” Smith shared. “That is our job. That is the work we will be doing and that’s the work we’re calling on everyone to help us amplify.”
She then addressed the state’s continued attacks on transgender youth, noting that “the first attack is always on who they think is the most vulnerable.” Smith called on members of the community to share their stories to combat such legislation, putting a face on anti-LGBTQ attacks in messages the organization will amplify.
Smith also outlined the organization’s future.
“We are not only an LGBTQ organization, we are an anti-racist organization, we are a pro-choice organization and we are an organization that will fight for democracy,” she said. “Everything we do is about changing hearts and minds, and we change hearts and minds because it changes votes. When we change votes, we change who represents us and when we change who represents us, we change the laws to make them fair for everybody.
“There is a lot of work ahead,” Smith concluded. “We have big dreams about a state that is welcoming and inclusive for everybody … I know we’re going to win.”
The evening was a success for the organization, raising $365,000 in its fight for equality. “Thank you, Tampa, for an incredible evening,” Machuca shared with attendees afterwards. “Here’s to brighter days on the horizon, and uniting behind the limitless possibilities for progress on equality.”
Learn more about Equality Florida’s mission and how to support its efforts at EQFL.org. You can view photos from this year’s Tampa gala below from the organization here:
View photos by Watermark’s Dylan Todd below:
You must be logged in to post a comment.