Classes Begin At Florida’s First School Named After Openly Gay Man

 

With great anticipation, Palm Beach County’s first new high school in 20 years opened to students last week in western Lake Worth.

The school is named after Dr. Joaquín García, an openly gay businessman and educational advocate who died in 2021. For decades, Drs. Joaquin and Xavier García --husbands and partners of 40 years – ran the El Cid Animal Clinic in West Palm Beach. Dr. Joaquín García High School is one of a handful of public schools nationwide named openly LGBTQ+ people such as San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, civil rights Bayard Rustin, the poet Walt Whitman, and astronaut Sally Ride..

Following her death in 2012, a statement Ride had prepared was released acknowledging her longstanding relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy, the woman who was also her business partner. When the Sally Ride Elementary School in Orlando opened in 2018, it became the first public school in Florida named in honor of an LGBTQ+ Floridian.

Most of the other schools are in located in New York City, including seven in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn, one in the Bronx and one in Staten Island, There are also two in Maryland, one in California, and one in Pennsylvania.

“Joaquín García was a passionate and inspirational advocate for all students in Palm Beach County schools,” said retired judge Rand Hoch, president and founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. “Through his words and deeds, he was an exemplary community leader." PBCHRC is Florida’s oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The organization promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach.

García was a founding member of the board of Directors of Compass LGBTQ Community Center of Lake Worth and the Palm Beaches. The organization’s mission is to engage, empower and enrich the lives of LGBTQ+ people as well as those impacted by HIV and AIDS. He also did extensive volunteer work for the International AIDS Education Foundation and the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County . “Joaquín García exemplified leadership and was a truly inspirational advocate and a role model for LGBTQ+ youth, “ said Compass Executive Director Julie Seaver.

“Palm Beach County is rich in its diversity and we have a significant LGBTQ+ population,” said Alexandria Ayala, Palm Beach County’s first elected Hispanic/Latina School Board Member.  “Our School Board knew Joaquín was gay and married to Xavier, his partner for decades,” said Ayala, a friend of Garcia who considered him a mentor. “We were proud to know he was involved in the creation of Compass, our county’s LGBTQ+ Community Center, and at no point did Joaquín’s sexual orientation prevent us from honoring him and his legacy.”  “If Joaquín García’s legacy is allowed to be taught in Florida schools, his influence on LGBTQ+ students will be carried on for generations to come,” Hoch said. “Unfortunately, it is unclear whether Florida’s regressive education law will permit that to happen.” Under Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, more commonly known as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, public schools are prohibited from any classroom discussions relating to sexual orientation or gender identity. While the law technically applies to kindergarten through eighth grade, most Florida high schools are currently prohibiting these discussions to avoid lawsuits brought by anti-LGBTQ+ activists. “The DeSantis administration is intent on erasing LGBTQ+ history and culture,” said Hoch. “Now more than ever, we must recognize the achievements of LGBTQ+ leaders such as Dr. Joaquín García.”  Originally from Cuba, Garcia grew up in Spain and Puerto Rico, and earned his medical degree in the Dominican Republic. After he moved to Palm Beach County, he co-founded of Palm Beach County’s Hispanic Education Coalition. He served as its chairman for close to a dozen years. He encouraged the development of scholarship programs, advocated for dual-language learning, and supported efforts to make our schools more accepting of LGBTQ+ students.  So, in addition to being Florida’s first public school named after an openly LGBTQ+ person, the school is also the first in Palm Beach County named after a Hispanic person.

While Dr. Joaquín García High School, built at a cost of more than $100 million, has 1,600 students enrolled, the facility can accommodate 2,600.  The school provides specialty medical, business and IT programs and includes a performing arts center and an impressive sports complex.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - JULY 2023

While Florida’s LGBTQ+ community is being challenged on all fronts, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) continues to be up to the challenge. 

Founded in 1988, PBCHRC is Florida’s oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation and community outreach. 

In the thirty-five years since PBCHRC was founded, we have been responsible for the enactment of more than 150 laws and policies which now provide equal rights, protections and benefits for the LGBTQ+ community. For a list of the laws and policies enacted as the result of PBCHRC’s efforts, click here and select "Laws & Policies." 

Frankly, back in the 1980s, I optimistically thought there would no longer be a need for our organization in the 21st century. I assumed that by the turn of the century, our community nationwide would be protected by federal civil rights laws. (Back then, I did not envision marriage equality even becoming an issue, let alone reality.). However, for all the progress made over the past three decades, Florida’s LGBTQ+ community continues to be targeted by Governor DeSantis and the Republican controlled state legislature. Since 2021, Governor DeSantis has signed into law: 

• The “Don’t Say Gay” law – and an expansion of the law– prohibiting classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ matters in public schools grades kindergarten through 8th grade, 
• A law permitting healthcare providers to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people by refusing to provide healthcare services that conflict with the providers chosen religious, ethical, or moral beliefs, 
• Restrictions on gender affirming care, including banning Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for young people and adults, 
• Requirements for people to use gender-designated restrooms in public facilities based on the gender assigned at birth – not their gender identities, 
• A ban on trans female students from playing on public school teams intended for athletes designated female at birth, and 
• Restrictions on drag performances. 

Fortunately, our courts have temporarily blocked the Medicaid ban on gender-affirming care and the drag performance restrictions from taking effect pending trials in those cases. Unfortunately, federal trial courts have not allowed constitutional challenges to the “Don’t Say Gay” law to move forward and the issue is now before the very conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit– the only federal court in the nation to strike down conversion therapy bans. 

So, PBCHRC continues to concentrate on Palm Beach County and our local. municipalities to expand and protect our rights. Our work never stops. 

PBCHRC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION 

2023 Social Justice Award 

 

In April, the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation selected Richeley Cajuste to receive our 2023 Social Justice Award. The award is presented annually to a college-bound graduating senior who has demonstrated an interest in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Richeley will receive a $2,500 scholarship. 

Haitian-born Richeley, who emigrated to the U.S. in 2016, lives in West Palm Beach and graduated from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. At school, through his participation in Rainbow RAMS, he advocated for LGBTQ+ and social justice issues. He hopes to establish a chapter of the organization at Palm Beach State College, where he will be in the pre-med program, studying health sciences and biology. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he plans to graduate from medical school and open a medical practice to help underserved communities. 

 Norman L Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarships 

Longtime Boynton Beach residents Norm Stern and Auggie Venezio passed away last year, having spent close to 67 years together as a couple, When planning their estates, they made unrestricted bequests to PBCHRC and several other LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. In recognition of their relationship with and commitment to our community, the Charitable Foundation Board established the Norman L. Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarship. 

The first recipient is Michael Thayer, a West Palm Beach native, a longtime PBCHRC volunteer. He received his B.A. from the University of Maine, summa cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society, the oldest academic honor society in the United States. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. 

Now residing in New York City with his partner, Michael works for a entertainment law firm and serves as a volunteer counselor at Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ+ young people. In the fall, Michael will begin his studies for a second Master's degree at Columbia University's School of Social Work, so that he may carry out his work on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth. The Foundation will be providing Michael with a $2,500 scholarship per semester. 

W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Award 

The Charitable Foundation has also established the W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Award in recognition of Trent’s decades of pro bono work on behalf of PBCHRC as well as his work as a PBCHRC Board Member. The scholarship is available to LGBTQ+ and allied second and third year law students with ties to Palm Beach County. Please contact PBCHRC@gmail.com for further information.

Recent Charitable Foundation Contributions 

So far this year, PBCHRC and the Charitable Foundation have made significant contributions to: 

• ACLU of Florida Foundation, which works to create a Florida free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, 
• First Amendment Foundation, which watched over a legislative program to review, and reenact if warranted, each of the hundreds of exemptions to Florida's public records law. 
• Lambda Legal, a national legal organization representing LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV in court – and in the court of public opinion. 
• MAP (the Movement Advancement Project), a nonprofit think tank working to create a thriving, inclusive, and equitable America where all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. 
• PRISM, which works to expand access to LGBTQ+-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in South Florida, 
• Stonewall National Museum & Archives, which presents exhibitions on LGBTQIA+ themes and public programs in South Florida and across the United States, and, 
• Vita Nova, which is a safe bridge to independence for former foster care, LGBTQ+ and other homeless local youth through supportive housing, education, employment and life. 

VOTERS ALLIANCE

Our success in enacting pro-LGBTQ+ laws is directly related to our community’s participation in electoral politics. 

Since 1988, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance (PBCHRCVA) members — all volunteers — have conducted close to 1,000 face-to-face endorsement interviews — and close to 100 interviews via Zoom and phone — of candidates seeking public office. We have done this to educate public officials, make endorsements and take action to elect people who will take steps to change laws and policies to provide equal treatment and equal benefits for the local LGBTQ community 

Municipal elections will be held throughout Palm Beach County on March 19, 2024 – the same day as the Presidential Preference Primaries. In additional, federal, county and state Primary Elections will be held in August 20, 2024 with the General Election on November 6, 2024. 

We have a lot of work to do. 

To date, PBCHRC has made the following endorsements: 

U.S. Representative (Dist. 22) - Lois Frankel

Constitutional Tax Collector - Anne Gannon

Sheriff - Ric Bradshaw

State Attorney - Gregg Lerman

State Representative (Dist. 90) - Joe Casello

State Representative (Dist. 92) - Kelly Skidmore

State Representative (Dist. 93) - Katherine Waldron

State Representative (Dist. 94) - Rochelle Litt

Boca Raton City Council (Seat D) - Andrew Thomson

Delray Beach Mayor - Ryan Boylston

Delray Beach City Commissioner (Seat 3) - Nicholas Coppola​

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner (Dist. 1) - Sarah Malega

Wellington Mayor - Michael Napoleone

For a list of more than 60 elected officials who were endorsed by PBCHRCVA and who currently hold office, click here. 

In an effort to suppress the vote, the Florida Legislature enacted a law causing Vote-by-Mail requests to expire at the end of the year in which a General Election is held. If you have not taken action, your vote-by-mail ballot request expired last year. If you want to continue voting by mail in 2023 and 2024, you need to complete a new Vote-by -Mail ballot request. You may do this online easily at www.pbcelections.org/Voters/Vote-By-Mail, In the alternative, you may request to vote-by-mail: 

• By Phone: (561) 656-6208 
• By Email: votebymail@votepalmbeach.gov 
• By Fax: (561) 656-6230 
• In person at any Office of the Supervisor of Elections 

The vote-by-mail request must include your driver's license/Florida State ID number OR the last 4 digits of your social security number, whichever you provided when you registered to vote. (If you do not remember which you used, PBCHRC recommends you provide both numbers to ensure your vote by mail application can be processed.) 

CURRENT INITIATIVES 

PBCHRC is currently working to persuade: 

• The local courts, prosecutors and public defenders to utilize the appropriate pronouns when addressing trans people with business before the courts, 
• The Health Care District of Palm Beach County to provide trans-specific healthcare services to indigent patients, and 
• The School District of Palm Beach County to cease doing business with Chick-fil-A and other companies that discriminate against LGBTQ people and other minorities. 

Finally, congratulations to longtime PBCHRC Board Member Chauncey Graham upon his graduation from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the school's law review. We are so proud! 

For more than three decades, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has worked diligently on behalf of the LGBTQ community. With your support, we will continue to do so in the years to come. As always, we will keep you posted on our progress. 

Judge Rand Hoch (retired), 

President and Founder 

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC'S Registration Number is CH46486. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

SAVE THE DATE PBCHRC Pride Happy Hour Meat Market Palm Beach June 7, 2023

 

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SAVE THE DATE PBCHRC Pride Happy Hour Meat Marker Palm Beach June 7, 2023

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC'S Registration Number is CH46486. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RAND HOCH President and Founder MEREDITH OCKMAN TACHE Vice President SEAN CONKLIN GEMMA TORCIVIA Co-Treasurers RAE FRANKS RHONDA WILLIAMS Co-Secretaries

JANIECE N. DAVIS MICHAEL DUQUETTE FOWLER G. JOSEPH GARCIA CHAUNCEY GRAHAM JASMIN LEWIS J.P. SASSER GEMMA TORCIVIA 

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The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC)  is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.  We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Over the years, PBCHRC has been responsible for the implementation of more than 160 laws and policies providing equal protections, rights, and benefits for the LGBTQ community.   Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 (561) 358-0105 PBCHRC@gmail.com www.pbchrc.org Please follow "PBCHRC" on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the PBCHRC blog - pbchrc.blogspot.com/ A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC'S Registration Number is CH46486. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

Richeley Cajuste to Receive PBCHRC Social Justice Award Scholarship

 

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Richeley Cajuste to Receive PBCHRC Social Justice Award Scholarship

G. Joseph Garcia,  Foundation Chair Jasmin Lewis,  PBCHRC Social Justice Awards Committee Chair

April 28, 2023

The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation has selected Richeley Cajuste to receive the organization's 2023 Social Justice Award..The award is presented annually to a college-bound graduating senior who has demonstrated an interest in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Richeley will receive a $2,500 scholarship.   The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. In 2015, the organization established the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation to fund educational scholarships and other charitable endeavors.

Richeley Cajuste of West Palm Beach is a senior at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. He was born in Haiti and emigrated to the United States in 2016. Richeley, who comes from a very religious family, is active in Leaders, a club near his church which helps educate people about the struggles LGBTQ+ people face so they may overcome longstanding stereotypes about our community. At school, through his participation in Rainbow RAMS, Richeley advocated for LGBTQ+ and social justice issues. He hopes to establish a chapter of the organization at Palm Beach State College, where he will be in the pre-med program, studying health sciences and biology. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he plans to graduate from medical school and open a medical practice to help underserved communities. “I come from a very religious, anti-LGBTQ+ family that has not supported my work for our community,” said Richeley. “So PBCHRC’s recognition of my work, the Social Justice Award and the college scholarship mean a lot.”

Created in 2015, the Social Justice Awards are administered by PBCHRC Board Member Jasmin K. Lewis, Chair of the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation's scholarship program.    "Richeley has worked as a passionate advocate for the local LGBTQ+ community," said Lewis. "The Foundation is proud to recognize his work by presenting them with the 2023 Social Justice Awards."

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RAND HOCH President and Founder MEREDITH OCKMAN TACHE Vice President SEAN CONKLIN GEMMA TORCIVIA Co-Treasurers RAE FRANKS RHONDA WILLIAMS Co-Secretaries CHAUNCEY GRAHAM  W. TRENT STEELE

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The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation is organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code exclusively  for educational and charitable purposes. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. PBCHRC Charitable Foundation Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 PBCHRC@gmail.com (561) 358-0105 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC Charitable Foundation's Registration Number is  N19000006727. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

PBCHRCVA-endorsed elected officials currently in office (updated 7/27/23)

The following elected officials endorsed by The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance currently hold office: 

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris 

U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel 

U.S. Congresswoman Sheila C. McCormick

U.S. Congressman Jared Moskowitz

State Senator Lori Berman 

State Senator Tina Polsky 

State Senator Bobby Powell 

State Representative Joe Casello 

State Representative Jervonte "Tae" Edmonds

State Representative David Silvers 

State Representative Kelly Skidmore 

State Representative Emily Slosberg-King

State Representative Katherine Waldron 

County  Mayor Gregg Weiss

County Vice Mayor Maria Sachs

County Commissioner Mack Bernard 

Clerk & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo 

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon 

Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks 

Public Defender Carey Haughwout 

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw 

State Attorney Dave Aronberg 

Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link 

School Board Member Marcia Andrews 

School Board Member Alexandria Ayala 

School Board Member Frank Barbieri, Jr. 

School Board Member Karen Brill 

School Board Member Barbara McQuinn 

School Board Member Erica Whitfield 

Port Commissioner Joseph Anderson 

Port Commissioner Blair Ciklin 

Port Commissioner Jean Enright 

Port Commissioner Wayne Richards 

Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Dana Gillen 

Circuit Court Judge Jaimie Goodman 

Circuit Court Judge Dina Keever-Agrama 

Circuit Court Judge James Martz 

Circuit Court Judge Lisa Small 

County Court Judge Ted Booras 

County County Court Judge Marni Bryson 

County Court Judge Frank Castor 

County Court Judge Edward Garrison 

County Court Judge Debra Moses Stephens 

County Court Judge Ashley Zuckerman 

Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor Rob Long 

Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor Eva Webb 

Northern PBC Improvement District Member Ellen Baker 

Boca Raton City Mayor Scott Singer 

Boca Raton City Council Member Monica Mayotte 

Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Angela Cruz 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Woodrow Hay 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Aimee Kelley 

Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia 

Delray Beach City Commissioner Ryan Boylston 

Delray Beach City Commissioner Angela Burns

Delray Beach City Commissioner Adam Frankel 

Delray Beach City Commissioner Rob Long

Greenacres City Councilwoman Paula Bousquet 

Greenacres City Councilwoman Suzy Diaz 

Greenacres City Councilwoman Judith Dugo 

Haverhill Town Councilman Ray Caranci 

Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Carla Blockson 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Sarah Malega 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Christopher McVoy 

North Palm Beach Village Mayor David Norris 

North Palm Beach City Council Member Darryl Aubrey 

North Palm Beach Village Council Member Susan Bickel 

Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Hickox Moore 

Palm Beach Town Councilwoman Julie Araskog 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Ted Cooney 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Lew Crampton 

Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Chelsea Reed 

Palm Beach Gardens Vice Mayor Rachelle Litt 

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Mark Marciano 

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Marcie Tinsley 

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman Julia Botel 

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman KaShamba Miller-Anderson 

Royal Palm Beach Village Mayor Fred Pinto 

Royal Palm Beach Village Councilwoman Selena Samois 

Wellington Village Councilman John McGovern 

Wellington Village Councilman Michael Napoleone 

Wellington Village Councilwoman Tanya Siskind 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Christina Lambert 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Joe Peduzzi 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Cathleen Ward 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Shalonda Warren 

This paid electioneering communication, which is independent of any party, candidate or committee, is produced, sponsored and paid for by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance.