Orlando is a city for everyone. It is known the world over for its inclusive and welcoming environment regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation and gender identity. That kind of citywide acceptance only happens when all our elected leaders are on board, from the top down.
In Orlando, the leader at the top is Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Dyer, who has led this city since 2003 and is Orlando’s longest serving mayor, has made LGBTQ equality a priority in The City Beautiful. That’s why it came as no surprise at our readers voted him Favorite Local Politician and Favorite Local Ally for Equality, two categories Dyer has one many times in the past.
“I am honored to receive this recognition, which I really think belongs to every person who calls the City of Orlando home,” Dyer says. “Collectively, we are working to make Orlando a more inclusive, welcoming and equitable community. I am proud that when our city has faced challenges, we’ve responded with love and compassion. This is what we did following the Pulse tragedy and what we are doing during this pandemic.”
During his time as Orlando’s mayor, Dyer has shown his dedication to the LGBTQ community in many ways including supporting marriage equality, helping to establish the Safe Space Initiative, launching an inclusive resolution for LGBTQ businesses, creating gender-neutral bathrooms at City Hall and more.
“I remain committed to working each day to ensure Orlando is a city where the voices of LGBTQ+ residents and all people in our city are heard and every person feels equally valued and protected,” Dyer says. “We want our community to be a place where every resident is not only able to get by, but also has equal access to opportunities to help them thrive.”
