Dolphin Democrats

Politics in the LGBT Community

Press Releases

Endorsements: Primary Election – Press Release

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Dolphin Democrats Announce Endorsements and Recommendations 

Wilton Manors, FL – Members of the Dolphin Democrats, Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, voted to endorse the following candidates for the August 18th Primary Election:

Florida State Senate:  Tina Polsky (D-29), Shevrin Jones (D-35),

Florida House of Representatives:

Jasmen Rogers-Shaw (D95)

Christine Hunschofsky (D-96)

David Williams Jr. (D-102)

Robin Bartleman (D-104)

Javier Estevez (D-105)

Broward County School Board: Sara Leonardi (D-3)

Broward County Clerk of Courts: Judge Mark Speiser

In addition, the membership voted to recommend the following Judicial Candidates:

17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

George Odeom Jr. Group 16; Patti Englander Henning, Group 18; Frank Davie LeDee, Group 27;  Dale C. Cohen, Group 30;  Linda A. Alley, Group 50

Broward County Court: Allison Gilman, Group 22;  Phoebee R. Francois, Group 27;

Natasha DePrimo, Group 31

The members also endorse Cindy Polo (D-103) & Linda Thompson-Gonzalez (D-93) for the November 3, 2020 General Election.  In addition, they also endorsed candidates Marty Kiar for Property Appraiser, Dr. Rosalind Osgood (D-5) and Patricia Good (D-2) for School board. Those 3 candidates ran unopposed and have already been elected for another term.

Dolphin Democrats President, Alfredo Olvera, issued the following statement on the Caucus’ endorsements: “We are immensely proud of our endorsement process. This year our members overwhelming voted to endorse each one of these candidates because they have demonstrated to be pro LGBTQ+ rights, and have committed to fight for the fundamental rights of the all members in our community.”

The Dolphin Democrats’ mission this election year is to Unite, Ignite, and Win.

 

You can read the full Press Release below:

PR_Endorsements_DD_07142020

Dolphin Democrats Mourn the Loss of Wilton Manors Mayor, Past President, and Board Member Justin Flippen.

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NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

February 25th, 2020

Contact: Alfredo Olvera

President, Dolphin Democrats

[email protected]

Dolphin Democrats Mourn the Loss of Wilton Manors Mayor, Past President, and Board Member Justin Flippen.

Wilton Manors, FL – The Dolphin Democrats are deeply saddened by the passing of Wilton Manors Mayor, past President, board member, and friend Justin Flippen. Justin was a fierce champion for the LGBTQ community and a proud Democrat. Justin had a lot of titles, but never left out his time as our President. He always reminded us that he got his start in political activism with the Dolphin Democrats. We are heartbroken by this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone who loved him.

May he rest in peace.

Michael Bloomberg wins Presidential Preference straw poll at Dolphin Dems Meeting

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Wilton Manors, FL – Members of the Dolphin Democrats conducted a Presidential Preference Primary Straw Poll at their Feb. 12 monthly meeting. Michael R. Bloomberg won the straw poll garnering 32 percent of the votes. Coming in second was Pete Buttigieg at 25 percent, and third was Elizabeth Warren at 23 percent. Amy Klobuchar received 8.51 percent of the vote; Joe Biden received 6.38 percent; Bernie Sanders received 4.36 percent; and Tom Steyer received 0 percent.

 “We’re always looking for ways to excite LGBTQ+ Democrats in Broward County,” said Alfredo Olvera, President of the Dolphin Democrats. “The straw poll is a fun and exciting way to energize Democrats and find out the pulse of our caucus, but I want to stress it is not an official endorsement of the organization.

“I encourage all LGBTQ+ Broward Democrats to fight for their respective candidates with all their heart and passion, but in the end, we must come together to defeat President Trump.”

The Dolphin Democrats’ mission this election year is to Unite, Ignite, and Win.

The Dolphin Democrats will conduct a second and final straw poll at their Wednesday, March 11 membership meeting.

For more information, please visit https://www.dolphindems.org

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PRESS RELEASE

Trump’s deceptions mask hateful actions toward LGBTQ+ people

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Opinion by Dolphin Democrats’ Alfredo Olvera in the South Florida Sun Sentinel

In its Jan. 27 op-ed in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Log Cabin Republicans claimed, “Trump is the most pro-gay president in U.S. history.” That is an outrageous statement.

As is so often the case with Trump, his statements contradict his actions. Yes, Trump has made statements that imply support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, his policies have consistently chipped away at the rights of the most marginalized people in our country, particularly the transgender community.

  • Trump banned LGBTQ+ refugees entering the United States.
  • Trump rescinded Title IX protections for transgender students.
  • Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military.
  • Trump signed an executive order laying the groundwork to discriminate against LGBTQ+ citizens based on religion.
  • Trump stated Title VII, which protects against employment discrimination, does not extend to LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Trump rolled back protections for incarcerated transgender people.
  • Trump has endangered the very freedoms and lives of our community.

The President of the Broward Log Cabin Republicans, Andrew Brett, attacked the Dolphin Democrats for being partisan and for not praising a man who continuously commits atrocities against our community.

The hypocrisy is jarring.

It is the Republicans who have been silent, hence complicit, in every attack this administration has carried out on the LGBTQ+ community and minorities. It is the Republicans who were silent in 2019 when at least 25 transgender and gender non-conforming people were fatally shot or killed by other violent means.

It is because of organizations such as the Dolphin Democrats — who actively fight to protect the rights of marginalized communities — that we have an informed community and pro-equality local elected officials.

It is because of organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Florida, and S.A.V.E., who lobby fiercely on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, that we have protections like marriage equality.

It is because of organizations such as TransInclusive Group, The Pride Center, and SunServe that we can have safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in Broward County.

It is because of the Democratic Party and the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, who directly advocate to pass pro-LGBTQ+ ordinances and legislation, that our communities have human rights protections.

Where have the Republicans been when their own LGBTQ+ members needed protection? Our community is in peril, and once again, Log Cabin Republicans have placed their party over their own community.

The Dolphin Democrats will continue the work we started in 1982. We will continue to fight for equality and for equity.

We will continue to advocate to ensure that all voices, and not just the privileged ones, are heard.
We will continue to unite to ensure every member of the LGBTQ+ community has a seat at the table no matter their socioeconomic status, religious belief, national origin, or racial background.

We encourage every LGBTQ+ person to show the Trump administration that enough is enough by registering to vote and showing up on Election Day. It is only when we ignite and unite that we will win.

Read Op-Ed in SunSentinel

Statement in Response ahead of the Log Cabin Republicans Wilton Manors Press Conference

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NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

Jan. 13, 2020

Contact: Alfredo Olvera

President, Dolphin Democrats

[email protected]

Statement in Response ahead of the Log Cabin Republicans Wilton Manors Press Conference

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Donald Trump is no friend of the LGBTQ+ community. The Trump Administration has been abysmal for LGBTQ+ individuals in this country. He has actively worked to roll back protections and hard-fought wins achieved by our community. Below are a few of his numerous damaging policies:

  • He has not officially recognized Pride Month.
  • He withdrew protections for transgender individuals under Title IX.
  • He signed an executive order focused on “religious liberty,” setting the groundwork to allow discrimination against the LGBTQ+ Community based on religious beliefs.
  • Trump’s Justice Department stated that Title VII, which protects against employment discrimination, does not extend to LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military.

It is incumbent upon all organizations, regardless of their political stance, to be truthful to their memberships and to the public. As the oldest LGBTQ+ political organization in Florida, the Dolphin Democrats take that responsibility very seriously. A vote for Donald Trump in 2020 is a vote against the safety, freedom, and independence of the LGBTQ+ Community. Anyone claiming otherwise is selling a bill of false goods.

We remain committed to the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and rights. We will continue to uplift the most marginalized in our community; to register voters; to reach out to and educate our community; and to partner with allies who share our values. The 2020 election is too important to be distracted by President Trump, the Republican Party and the Log Cabin Republicans. We will stay focused on the real goal: Electing a pro-equality Democrat as president who represents the values of all Americans.

Press Release-Dolphin Democrats_01132020

UPDATE – 2020 Candidate Forums, Endorsement Dates

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This is an update to our previous post.

The Dolphin Democrats Announce their 2020 Election Endorsement Process
December 26, 2019 

For Immediate Press Release Contact: Alfredo Overa, ​[email protected]

In adherence with their bylaws, in 2020 The Dolphin Democrats will be conducting a series of video-taped candidate forums, open to the public, ahead of the organization’s formal vote of endorsements, which is scheduled to take place later this year, in a closed session to Dolphin Democrat Voting Members only.

The schedule below outlines when each candidate to that elected office will be invited to participate in these public forums.

UPDATED DATES:

January 8: Forum: Sheriff & SOE

February 12: Forum: Public Defender and Municipal Offices with election in March

March 11: Forum: State Attorney

April 15: Forum: School Board

May 13: Forum: Endorsement vote for State Attorney & Public Defender

May 13: Circuit Court Judge Forum 

June 10:  Forum: County Court Forum 

June 26:  Deadline to file for the 2020 Election

July 8:  State House & Senate Forum – Endorsement

August 12: Endorsement – Municipalities Part 1 (Cities to be announced)

September 9: Endorsement – Municipalities Part 2 

October 14: Final Round of Endorsements (Seats to be announced in Septemebr)

In addition, all candidates who would like to participate in the endorsement and their names be put in the endorsement ballot must complete the endorsement questionnaire. The endorsement questionnaire will be emailed to all the candidates who attend the forum, and will be available on our website ​www.Dolphindems.org​ at least 60 days before the endorsement vote.

For more information on the Dolphin’s endorsement process please contact ​Alfredo Olvera​ at [email protected] ​ or ​Zachary Durand​ at ​[email protected]

2020 Election – Candidate Forums and Endorsements Dates

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The Dolphin Democrats Announce their 2020 Election Endorsement Process
September 11, 2019 

For Immediate Press Release Contact: Alfredo Overa, ​[email protected]

In adherence with their bylaws, in 2020 The Dolphin Democrats will be conducting a series of video-taped candidate forums, open to the public, ahead of the organization’s formal vote of endorsements, which is scheduled to take place on July 8th, 2020 in a closed session to Dolphin Democrat Voting Members only.

The schedule below outlines when each candidate to that elected office will be invited to participate in these public forums.

DATES:

January 8 Forum: Sherriff & SOE

February 12 Forum: Clerk of Court & County & Municipal Offices with election in March

March 11 Forum: State Attorney

March 25 Forum: Public Defender

April 15 Forum: School Board

May 13th Forum: Judicial Forum

June 10 Forum: State & House Rep

June 26 Deadline to file for the 2020 Election

July 8 Closed Membership Meeting to Endorse the 2020 Primary Democrats

August 12 Endorsement – Municipalities Part 1 (Cities to be announced)

September 9 Endorsement – Municipalities Part 2 (Cities to be aDolphin Democrats_Press Release_2020 Endorsement Processnnounced)

October 14 Final Round of Endorsements (Seats to be announced)

In addition, all candidates who would like to participate in the endorsement and their names be put in the endorsement ballot must complete the endorsement questionnaire. The endorsement questionnaire will be emailed to all the candidates who attend the forum, and will be available on our website ​www.Dolphindems.org​ at least 60 days before the endorsement vote.

For more information on the Dolphin’s endorsement process please contact ​Alfredo Olvera​ at [email protected] ​ or ​Zachary Durand​ at ​[email protected]

Directors Election – September 11, 2019

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The Dolphin Democrats has 2 directors to the board positions vacant.  The Elections committee will be holding an election at the September 11, 2019 Membership Meeting. 

The Following positions are vacant:

Directorship with term expiring February, 2021

Directorship with term expiring February 2020

If you would like to participate and run for election, you must be a member for at least 45 days before the September 11th meeting (July 28th).   Must be a registered Democrat and live in Broward County. 

All directors must commit to attend and participate in the once a month Board of Directors meeting, and Membership Meeting.  They also need to actively chair, co-chair or participate in at least one of the committees. 

All members interested in adding their name to the ballot should email a brief bio to [email protected] no later than August 31, 2019.  The committee will be also taking nominations from the floor.