2022 Summer Conference: Without You We Lose!

SUMMARY | PROGRAM & SPEAKERS | REGISTRATION | SPONSORS | HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Without You We Lose Highlights the Stakes in the 2022 Election, Contrasts with Shameful Florida Republican Agenda as They Meet Across the County

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, Commissioner Nikki Fried, U.S. Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, Sen. Jason Pizzo, Sen. Annette Taddeo, House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith Scheduled to Appear

Rep. Robin Bartleman, Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, Rep. Marie Woodson, Mayor Dean Trantalis, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Don’t Say Gay student walkout organizers, and More Joining

Rep. Stephanie Murphy to Receive the Congressional Leadership Award for Her Work on the January 6 Committee

Rep. Michele Rayner to Receive the Legislative Leadership Award

CD-23 Candidates Participating: Jared Moskowitz, Ben Sorenson, and Hava Holzhauer

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Summer Conference, Without You We Lose, will be held July 22-24 at The Westin Fort Lauderdale, 400 Corporate Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334.

With nearly all statewide candidates participating, plus state and local candidates and elected officials, Without You We Lose, highlights what’s at stake for the LGBTQ+ community in the 2022 election and takes aim at the destructive Republican agenda as DeSantis, Rubio and Florida’s Republicans simultaneously meet across Broward County in Hollywood.

“The contrast of visions for Florida cannot be any more stark, said Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. “While Democrats work to lift up and support the diverse community of Floridians, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and their colleagues shamefully hurt their own constituents with culture war attacks designed to distract from Republican inaction on economic issues.”

Among the topics on the agenda are reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dodd, the outlook for legislation impacting the trans community, the long list of economic issues not addressed by the Florida Legislature, an assessment of what’s ahead from House and Senate Democratic leaders, and how to build the Democratic bench. In addition, a panel of young LGBTQ+ leaders who led the Don’t Say Gay bill walkouts will discuss youth participation and focus in the upcoming election.

The weekend’s premier event, the Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception, features Florida’s newest Member of Congress, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick; Rep. Stephanie Murphy receiving the Congressional Leadership Award for her work on the House January 6 Committee investigating the Republican insurrection and coup attempt by Donald Trump; Rep. Michele Rayner receiving the Legislative Leadership Award from Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith for her work fighting for and representing the LGBTQ+ community in Tallahassee; Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis; and CD-10 Congressional Candidate and Democratic rising star Maxwell Alejandro Frost, DNC LGBTQ Southern Regional Representative Vivian Rodriguez, DNC LGBTQ Caucus Chair Earle Fowlkes.

In addition, the conference will host a Membership Meeting, which will conduct endorsements for US Senate, Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Congressional District 23 and Congressional District 27.

The conference will close on Sunday morning with Drag the Vote, our Farewell Drag Brunch featuring DJ Joey Brown.

The Westin Fort Lauderdale (400 Corporate Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334) is a spacious venue to allow for ample social distancing with COVID-19 protocols in place during all portions of the programming. The conference is open to all registered Democrats.

All funds raised at our Summer Conference support our GOTV campaign fund to elect pro-equality candidates and promote pro-equality policies.

PROGRAM

Friday, July 22
630pm-830pm

Welcome Reception
Keys Ballroom

Guests include Gubernatorial Candidates Rep. Charlie Crist and Commissioner Nikki Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture candidate Ryan Morales, CD-23 candidate Ben Sorenson, CD-23 candidate Hava Holzhauer

Music provided by Ryan Morales

Saturday, July 23

Conference begins with a continental breakfast at 8am. The Conference program will begin at 8:30 am and run until approximately 3:30pm

8am-9am

Continental Breakfast
Florida Ballroom

8:30am-12pm

Morning Session
Florida Ballroom

830am
Welcome

Stephen Gaskill, Caucus president
Alfredo Olvera, Dolphin Democrats president
Rick Hoye, Chair, Broward Democrats

9am-9:45am

PANEL The Politics of Distraction: LGBTQ+ Issues Vs. Florida’s Economy
Rep. Christine Hunschofsky
Sen. Annette Taddeo
SD-36 Candidate Raquel Pacheco
House District 101 candidate Hillary Cassel

9:45am-9:50am
CD-23 candidate Jared Moskowitz

9:50am-10am
ActBlue State and Local Associate Jose Gamboa

10am-10:15am
Is Your Marriage Safe from SCOTUS? LGBTQ+ Issues After Dodd
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg

10:15am-10:30am
Gubernatorial Candidate Commissioner Nikki Fried

10:30am-10:40am
BREAK

10:40am-11am
TRANS IN AMERICA
Caucus Legislative Director Nathan Bruemmer

11am-11:50am
PANEL What’s Next for Abortion in Florida?
Emma Collum, Ruth’s List Florida
House District 109 candidate Ashley Gantt
Tobias Packer, SEIU 1199
Rep. Robin Bartleman

11:50am-12pm
BREAK

12pm-1pm
LUNCH PRESENTATION Storming the Legislature: How Democrats Can Take Back Tallahassee

Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell
Senate District 38 candidate Janelle Perez
Senate District 24 candidate Eunic Ortiz

1pm-3:15pm
AFTERNOON SESSION

1pm-1:10pm
BREAK

1:10pm-1:30pm
Gubernatorial Candidate Rep. Charlie Crist introduced by Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith

1:30pm-1:40pm
Sen. Jason Pizzo

1:40pm-2:25pm
PANEL Building the Blue Bench
Rep. Marie Woodson
Jacksonville City Council candidate Joshua Hicks
Dolphin Democrats President Alfredo Olvera
Lindsay Pollard, Democratic fundraiser

2:30pm-315pm
PANEL Diversity and Inclusion Committee Presents: Young Voters Will Save Us This Year
Don’t Say Gay student walkout organizers:
Javier Gomez
Maxx Fenning
Will Larkins
Nathalie Saladrigas

3:15pm
Adjourn

3:30pm-5pm
Caucus Membership Meeting
Keys Ballroom

5pm
Adjourn

7pm-7:30pm
Pre-Reception Cocktails
Florida Ballroom Lobby

7:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception
Florida Ballroom

CD-10 candidate Maxwell Alejandro Frost

Guests include Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Rep. Stephanie Murphy receiving the Congressional Leadership Award for her work on the House January 6 Committee, and Rep. Michele Rayner receiving the Legislative Leadership Award from Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith for her work representing the LGBTQ+ community in Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, CD-10 Congressional Candidate Maxwell Alejandro Frost, DNC LGBTQ Southern Regional Representative Vivian Rodriguez, DNC LGBTQ Caucus President Earle Fowlkes

*Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres & Open Bar

Sunday, July 24
10:30am-12:30pm
Drag the Vote: Our Farewell Drag Brunch
Music by DJ Joey Brown

Hosts: Kitty Meow, Fay What, Al Ferguson

Performers:
Misty Eyez (Director of Trans and Women’s Services At SunServe)
Velvet LeNore (2022 Miss Florida At Large)
Erika Norel
Shasta McNasty
Lady Marisa
Kitty Meow

Guest: CFO candidate Adam Hattersley

*All events and meetings are open press, except the Saturday afternoon caucus membership meeting and Sunday drag brunch are closed press.

Registration and Tickets

Conference: Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is $35 until July 15 and $45 beginning July 16. You must be a registered Democrat to attend.
Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception: Tickets for our premiere event for in-person and virtual attendance are $125 until July 15 and $150 beginning July 16.
Sunday Farewell Drag Brunch: Tickets are $50 until July 15 and $60 beginning July 16.

For Conference Registration, Saturday Evening Cocktail Reception, Sunday Farewell Drag Brunch Tickets and Membership Meeting Registration, click here to register and purchase tickets.

**There is no charge to register for the Membership Meeting, but you MUST register to attend. It is an additional registration than for the conference.

** Conference registration includes the Friday Welcome Reception, and Continental Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday.

Our membership meeting is open to all registered Democrats, although only active Caucus members may vote. Endorsement voting will only occur in-person. Renew your Caucus membership for 2022 and make your voice heard!

*All registration fees and tickets are non-refundable.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The Westin Fort Lauderdale
400 Corporate Drive
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334

Our room block at the Westin Fort Lauderdale has closed. Contact the hotel directly to reserve your accommodations

SPONSORS

Click here to support us as a sponsor! All funds go toward our 2022 GOTV effort.

PRESENTING SPONSOR