FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2021

CHARLIE CRIST, NIKKI FRIED, DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA, ANNETTE TADDEO, JASON PIZZO, DEAN TRANTALIS, AND MANNY DIAZ ARE FEATURED SPEAKERS AT LET’S GET LOUD: THE SUMMER CONFERENCE OF THE FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS

August 6-8 in Miami, featuring local and statewide candidates and elected officials

— Stringent Covid Protocols in Place Throughout the Weekend —

Miami, FL – Let’s Get Loud: The Summer Conference of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is August 6 through 8 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The Caucus selected Miami as its conference site to jumpstart organizing in Miami-Dade County, a critical voting block to win statewide elections in Florida. The Surfside tragedy, Cuban people rising up against a tyrannical government, and turmoil in Haiti have further elevated its importance.

The Summer Conference draws more than 100 LGBTQ+ activists and allies from around Florida; federal, state, and local elected officials; Democratic Party officials; and subject matter experts to bring together the LGBTQ+ community and underscore the importance of Hispanic voter outreach and winning in 2022. Click here to register and purchase tickets for the conference.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora, and North Miami Councilman Scott Galvin will participate in the Saturday morning “How South Florida’s LGBTQ Cities Work Together” panel. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who has been internationally recognized for her strong, steady leadership during this difficult time in Miami, will be the Lunch Keynote Speaker and will be introduced by FDP Chair Manny Diaz.

In the Saturday afternoon session, State Senator Annette Taddeo will join the “Trans Community Under Fire” panel and State Senator Jason Pizzo will give an update on the Florida Senate. The Saturday evening cocktail reception will feature gubernatorial candidates Representative Charlie Crist and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried. At the reception, the Caucus will also honor State Senator Shevrin Jones with a 2021 Legislative Leadership Award and Mayor Dean Trantalis with a Lifetime Leadership Award.

All events are OPEN PRESS unless otherwise noted. This year’s Summer Conference at the Hilton Miami Downtown is a spacious venue to allow for ample social distancing with COVID-19 protocols in place during all portions of the programming.

Hotel:

Hilton Miami Downtown
1601 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, Florida 33132

FRIDAY AUGUST 6

Welcome Reception
630-830pm

• Stephen Gaskill, Caucus President
• Orlando Gonzales, Executive Director, SAVE
• Adam Gentle, Congressional candidate
• Ken Russell, City of Miami Commissioner & U.S. Senate Candidate

SATURDAY AUGUST 7

830am
Morning Session

Welcome

• Stephen Gaskill, Caucus President
• Christopher Richmond, MDLGBTA president
• Javier Estevez, Miami-Dade DEC Campaign Chair, Caucus Region 9 Director

850am
Panel: How South Florida’s LGBTQ Cities Work Together

• Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis
• Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora
• North Miami Councilman Scott Galvin

930am
Panel: HIV/AIDS at 40

• Howard Grossman, Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University
• Requel Lopes, Executive Director, World AIDS Museum (moderator)
• Jose Szapocznik PhD, Professor, University of Miami
• Shed Boren, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University

1030am
Cuba: What’s Next?

• Carmen Pelaez, Filmaker and Activist
• Introduced by Ricky Junquera

11am
Panel: Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Workshop on Unconscious Bias

• Mary Ann Shea, Director

Noon
Lunch Keynote Speaker

• Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
• Introduced by FDP Chair Manny Diaz

1pm
Afternoon Session
Introduced by Nik Harris, Caucus Vice President

Panel: Assault on School Boards

• Dade School Board Member Lucia Baez-Geller
• Broward School Board Member Sarah Leonardi
• Joe Saunders, Equality Florida (moderator)
• Bill McKay, Vice President, Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus

150pm
Panel: The Trans Community Under Fire

• Moderator Nathan Bruemmer, LGBTQ Consumer Advocate, FDACS (moderator)
• Jason Starr, Litigation Director, HRC
• Carvelle Estriplet, Caucus Deputy Director, Region 8
• Annette Taddeo

250pm
FDP’s Plan For Winning Florida

• Marcus Dixon, FDP Executive Director

310pm
Senate Victory 2022

• Christian Ulvert, Senate Victory

330pm
Senate Overview

• Senator Jason Pizzo

4pm
Membership Meeting (CLOSED PRESS)

5pm
END

7pm to 9pm
Evening Cocktail Reception

• President Stephen Gaskill
• Mayor Dean Trantalis, receiving Lifetime Leadership Award
• State Senator Shevrin Jones, receiving 2021 Legislative Leadership Award
• Charlie Crist
• Commissioner Nikki Fried

SUNDAY AUGUST 8

10:30am to 12:30pm
Farewell Drag Brunch (separate ticket)
Performances by Jasmine Pryce Lords & DJ Joey Brown

The Caucus thanks our Presenting Sponsor
Happening Out Television Network

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Presenting Sponsor
Happening Out Television Network

Diamond Sponsors
Adam Gentle for US Congress
Hillary Cassel
Stephanie Toothaker

Conference Champion
Crush Law

Emerald Sponsor
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Welcome Reception Sponsor
Joe Falk

Friends
Harry Huizenga
Ben Sorensen
Commissioner Ken Russell, US Senate candidate
DS Political
The Sexton Group

Benefactors
Rick Boylan
Dolphin Democrats
Gaskill Communications LLC
Hillsborough LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
Jotkoff Financial Group

Supporters
John Lazar
Sally Phillips and Ercilia Albistu
Coral Gables Democratic Club
Miami Beach Democratic Club
Miami-Dade Democratic Party
Northeast Miami-Dade Democratic Club
Ruth’s List
Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Sarasota County

Sponsors
Peter Horstman
Susan Lee

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