PBCHRC Voters Alliance Endorsements for August '26 Primary elections

 

President's Message - June 2026

 June 9, 2026

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. We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation and community outreach.

As we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month nationwide, we recognize that as a state, Florida faces an extremely uphill battle in trying to overturn the many anti-LGBTQ+ laws which have been enacted by overwhelming margins in the Florid Legislature and signed into law by Governor DeSantis.  

As usual, there is good news and bad news concerning out state’s treatment of the queer community. 

So, first the bad news.

According to a nationwide Gallup Poll released earlier this month, after two decades of rising support for LGBTQ+ issues, U.S. attitudes have plateaued and begun to slide back modestly. Approval of same-sex marriage, moral acceptance of gay and lesbian relations, and endorsement of gender changes are all down from peaks reached in the early 2020s. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/710810/support-lgbtq-issues-remains-down-peak.aspx)

On the Federal level, President Donald Trump has implemented many policies limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV. Some of the most egregious policies include:

• Federal recognition of only two sexes,
• Passport gender-marker changes,
• Restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors,
• Transgender military service restrictions,
• Education and "gender ideology" policies,
• School sports policies banning trans girls and women from competing in sports categories in schools which receive federal funding, and
• Federal prisons and sex-segregated facilities.

Fortunately, many of these policies are being challenged in the federal courts and some have been struck down. However, some have been appealed and are pending in the courts.

Focusing on Florida, the news is even worse. 

The 2026 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, published by Out Leadership, ranks Florida #46 out of the fifty states (slightly higher than South Carolina, Idaho, Tennessee and Arkansas). The report shows Florida has been in “significant decline driven by “Don’t Say Gay” expansion, healthcare restrictions, bathroom bans, and book restrictions. 

It is mind-boggling that even though Florida has one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the nation, these laws and policies were easily enacted in Tallahassee over the past five years:

• Ban on Transgender Girls and Women in Women's School Sports,
• The Stop WOKE Act/ the Individual Freedom Act,
• "Don't Say Gay"/Parental Rights in Education,
• “Don’t Say Gay"/Parental Rights in Education Expansion,
• Book Review and Library Restrictions,
• Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care,
• Restriction on Bathroom Access,
• Restrictions on Drag Performances, 
• "Medical Conscience" Law, 
• Gender Identity and Pronoun Policies,
• Higher-Education Anti-DEI Legislation, and
• Restrictions on DEI Programs in Public Colleges.

Fortunately, portions of some of these laws have been struck down by the courts. But as with the federal issues, there are numerous appeals and we await final determinations by the courts.

Governor Ron DeSantis has made Florida the #1 state in the nation in banning books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes. He also went on a rampage against LGBTQ+ public art. 

Just days after he threatened to withhold millions of dollars of state funds to municipalities with LGBTQ+ public art, Boynton Beach promptly painted over the LGBTQ+ Pride Intersection.  

While West Palm Beach promptly sandblasted the LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks in Northwood Village, the City has re-purposed rainbow colored bricks that were intended to replace the painted crosswalks and have installed them in nearby Serenity Park.  

And in Delray Beach where elected officials led by then Vice Mayor/now State Representative Rob Long, state workers destroyed the LGBTQ+ Pride Intersection. Fortunately, local activists are working with City officials to create a new monument for the Delray Beach queer community.   

WHAT’S EVEN WORSE - There are a lot of unknowns about a new anti-DEI law taking effect next year and city commissioners are bracing for any dirty tricks coming out of Tallahassee.

Now for the good news.

Despite all of this unwanted and unnecessary attention by the federal and state government, LGBTQ+ people in Palm Beach County are fortunate to live in a place where so much progress has been made for the LGBTQ+ community for more than three decades. Working with elected officials, PBCHRC has secured exceptional countywide and municipal victories which assure LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Palm Beach County are entitled to equal rights, privileges, benefits and protections. For a complete list of more than 160 laws and policies enacted as the result of PBCHRC’s efforts, click here to view “Our Impact” (https://www.pbchrc.org/laws-policies)

In Palm Beach County, the LGBTQ+ community will not be erased! 

PBCHRC VOTERS ALLIANCE

For the foreseeable future, the LGBTQ+ community across the nation will continue to face greater challenges at the federal and state levels than we have in decades. Elections have consequences, and our community is being targeted in an unprecedented manner.

Throughout the years, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance (PBCHRCVA) has interviewed more than 1,000 candidates and we have endorse hundreds who support LGBTQ+ initiatives.

There were several Special Elections and numerous Municipal Elections held in the past six months and thanks to your votes, the following PBCHRCVA-endorsed candidates were successful in their election (or re-election) campaigns

• Florida State Representatives Emily Gregory and Rob Long
• Boca Raton Mayor Andy Thomson
• Boca Raton City Councilmember Stacy Sipple
• Delray Beach City Commissioner Judy Mollica
• Greenacres City Council Member Judy Dugo
• Lake Park Mayor Roger Michaud
• Palm Beach Town Council Member Lew Crampton
• Palm Beach Gardens City Council Members Rachelle Litt and Dana Middleton
• Royal Palm Beach Village Council Member Selena Samios
• West Palm Beach City Commissioners Christy Fox and Cathleen Ward

Congratulations to all!

The Primary Election will be held on August 18 and the General Election will be held on November 3. The deadline to register to vote for the August 18 primary is July 20, so if you have LGBTQ+ supportive people in your life who have not yet registered to vote in Palm Beach County, please share this link with them www.votepalmbeach.gov/162/Register-to-Vote.

Earlier this year, PBCHRC VA made the following endorsements of people who will be on the ballot in 2026:

• U.S. House of Representatives (Dist. 23) - Lois Frankel
• State Senate Dist. 24 - Mack Bernard
• State Senate Dist. 26 - David Silvers
• State Representative (Dist. 87) - Emily Gregory
• State Representative (Dist. 88) - Tae Edmonds
• State Representative (Dist. 89) - Debra Tendrich
• State Representative (Dist. 90) - Rob Long
• State Representative (Dist. 92) - Kelly Skidmore
• County Commissioner (Dist. 2) - Erica Whitfield
• County Commissioner (Dist. 6) - Katherine Waldron
• Port of Palm Beach District Commission (Group 4) - Blair Ciklin
• Port of Palm Beach District Commission (Group 7) - Deandre Poole
• Palm Beach County School Board (Dist. 3) - Karen Brill
• Palm Beach County School Board (Dist. 7) - Edwin Ferguson

Later this month and into mid-July, PBCHRC Voters Alliance will conduct face-to-face interviews of additional candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Legislators, Governor, Attorney General, and many other races. Following the interviews, we may make endorsements in those races.

We will keep you posted.

LGBTQ+ PRIDE HAPPY HOUR AT MEAT MARKET

More than 100 PBCHRC supporters attended our SOLD OUT annual LGBTQ+ Pride Happy Hour at Meat Market Palm Beach. A Proud time was had by all. Thanks go out to Meat Market Palm Beach for their continued support and hospitality. And congratulations to Matthew Kelly, who won the raffle for a $100 gift certificate generously donated by Meat Market.

To view the photos taken by PBCHRC photographer Gail Haines, click here.

SUMMER SOIRÉE

On Saturday evening, July 25, PBCHRC supporters will gather to celebrate at our biennial Summer Soirée. The event will be held from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. Sandy James Fine Food & Productions is catering and the event will feature passed hors d'oeuvres. As always, there will be a premium open bar. Attire is Palm Beach Casual and there will be complimentary valet parking.

PBCHRC's Board of Directors hopes you will help underwrite the event and PBCHRC initiatives by joining our Host Committee, which is currently in formation. The only requirement to become a Host Committee member is a contribution of $1,000, which entitles you to two tickets to the Summer Soirée and listings in all event related materials.  

Here is a list of the Host Committee Members as of June 9:

• Altima Palm Beach
• Paul Bernabeo and David Cohen
• Bernard Taylor for Congress
• Terry Bowie and William Feldkamp
• Sheriff Ric Bradshaw
• School Board Member Karen Brill
• Castle Wealth Management
• Nancy Chanin
• Shawn Cherry and Vincent Ruisi
• Port of Palm Beach Chair Blair Ciklin 
• Jason Colin and James Curtis 
• Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center
• Cornerstone Solutions
• State Attorney Alexcia Cox
• Palm Beach Town Councilmember Lew Crampton
• David Crespo and Nicholas Coppola
• Yvette Drucker
• WPB City Commissioner Christy Fox
• Congresswoman Lois Frankel
• Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A
• H.G. Roosters
• Rand Hoch
• David Jolly
• Michael Judd and Ben Small
• Christina and Monte Lambert
• Gregg Lerman
• Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link
• State Representative Rob Long and Alexandria Ayala-Long
• LWB Vice Mayor Mimi May
• Meat Market - Palm Beach
• David and Michael Mittleman
• Mittleman Eye
• Port of Palm Beach Vice Chair Deandre Poole
• LWB Mayor Betty Resch
• Christina Romelus
• Sandy James Fine Food & Productions
• Arthur Schofield
• Julie Seaver
• Bruce Sutka
• WPB City Commissioner Steve Sylvester
• Eric Telchin and Logan Nolting
• Scott Velozo and Stephen Mooney
• Katherine Waldron
• WPB City Commissioner Shalonda Warren
• A.J. Wasson and Randy Christensen
• Dr. Donald Watron and Tony Jaggi
• Commissioner Gregg Weiss and Rebecca Weiss
• School Board Member Erica Whitfield

In the alternative, individual tickets are on sale for $150. 

To join the Host Committee

or to purchase individual tickets, click here.

You may also mail your check made payable to PBCHRC to P.O. Box 267, West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at 561-358-0105 or flagler400@gmail.com.

 

PBCHRC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, which was established in 2015, awards scholarships and provides funding to nonprofit organizations.

Each year the Foundation presents our Social Justice Awards – $2,500 scholarships – to graduating LGBTQ+ and allied high school seniors who have been advocates for our community. This year we presented Social Justice Awards to eight local students: Chloe Coffie and Chloe Medlock of William T. Dwyer High School, McKinley Cupit and Alysha Kennedy of Jupiter Community High School, Emily Daniel of Santaluces Community High School, Presley Greenstein of Jupiter Community High School, Zachary Koenig of Donna Klein Jewish Academy, and Damarrion Wilder of Palm Beach Gardens High School.

Congratulations to these amazing students!

To date, we have awarded 37 Social Justice Award To view the biographies of the Social Justice Award recipients and to learn more about the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, click here.

The Foundation also provides need-based scholarships to LGBTQ+ college students through the Norman L. Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarships, to second and third year law students through the W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Awards, and to students from Palm Beach County who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math through the Charlie Fredrickson Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarships. advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion.

For more information about the Foundation's various scholarship programs, click here.

The Foundation's Board of Directors is in the process of creating a scholarship for students pursuing careers in the graphic arts. The scholarship will be named after graphic artist extraordinaire Scott Velozo, PBCHRC’s longtime volunteer artist in residence.

PBCHRC and the Charitable Foundation have recently made significant contributions to:

• 451 Avengers, a local activist organization challenging library book bans in Palm Beach County,
• ACLU of Florida Foundation, which works to create a Florida free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,
• Compass, our county's LGBTQ+ community center,
• First Amendment Foundation, which watches over a legislative program to review, and reenact if warranted, each of the hundreds of exemptions to Florida's public records law,
• The Historical Society of Palm Beach County, in support of their 2026 Celebration of Pride, 
• Lambda Legal, a national legal organization representing LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV in court – and in the court of public opinion,
• Lavender Graduation 2026, a ceremony honoring the academic achievements, leadership, and resilience of LGBTQ+ and allied youth group members in South Florida,
• The Movement Advancement Project (MAP), 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,
• Night Runners WPB, a local non-profit organization that hosts weekly meetups for the LGBTQ+ and allied runners and walkers,
• PRISM, which works to expand access to LGBTQ+-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in South Florida,
• South Florida Queer Jewish Youth Alliance, 
• Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library, which presents exhibitions on LGBTQ+ themes and public programs in South Florida and across the United States,
• Transpire, which provides the resources necessary for LGBTQ+ individuals to create a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life, and,
• Vita Nova, which is a safe bridge to independence for former foster care, LGBTQ+ and other unhoused local youth through supportive housing, education, employment and life.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, the man who deliberately drove his truck into the Night Runners LGBTQ+ running club last November, remains in jail awaiting trial two counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless driving. The case is being prosecuted as a potential hate crime,
• The United States Supreme Court ruled that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors was an unconstitutional infringement of the free speech rights of therapists using “talk therapy”, working (in vain) to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,  
• PBCHRC presented “Understanding the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index and why participation benefits Lake Worth Beach” to the Lake Worth Beach City Commission,
• Lake Worth Beach attorney Adriana Gonzalez was elected to serve on PBCHRC’s Board of Directors and selected to serve on the PBCHRC Voters Alliance,
• Philanthropist Barry Lowenthal was appointed to serve on the PBCHRC Voters Alliance,
• Avion Goordeen has been reappointed to serve as PBCHRC representative on the Palm Beach County School Districts Diversity & Equity Committee,
• PBCHRC Board Member Matt McWatters was selected to participate in the Victory Fund’s 2026 Candidate & Campaign Training,
• PBCHRC participated in the Palm Beach County Library System’s Pride Expo, and  
• Compass Executive Director Julie Seaver and I were recognized as honorees at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library’s Stonewall Honors. 

THANKS GO OUT TO:

• County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo for ensuing more than $300,000 was awarded to restore the aging air conditioning system and elevators at the Compass building, which is owned by the City of Lake Worth Beach,
• Port of Palm Beach District Commissioners Blair Ciklin, Deandre Poole and Wayne Richards for contributing to PBCHRC Charitable Foundation’s scholarship fund, and
• Retiring Florida Senator Tina Polsky for her unwavering support during her tenure in the Florida Legislature.

CURRENT INITIATIVES

PBCHRC is currently working to persuade:

• The courts, prosecutors, and public defenders to utilize the appropriate pronouns when addressing trans people with business before the courts, 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.

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 (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC’s Registration Number is CH46486. Our Federal Tax ID #65-0175288.

PBCHRC Voters Alliance Endorsements - updated July 10, 2026

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance has made a endorsements in the following races:

U.S Senate - Angie Nixon

U.S. House of Representatives (Dist. 21) - Bernard Taylor

U.S. House of Representatives (Dist. 22) - Pia Dandiya

U.S. House of Representatives (Dist. 23) - Lois Frankel
U.S. House of Representatives (Dist. 25) - Jared Moskowitz

Governor - David Jolly
Attorney General - Jose Javier Rodriguez
Chief Financial Officer - Annette Taddeo

Clerk & Comptroller - Yvette Drucker

State Senate Dist. 24 - Mack Bernard
State Senate Dist. 26 - David Silvers

State Representative (Dist. 87) - Emily Gregory
State Representative (Dist. 88) - Tae Edmonds
State Representative (Dist. 89) - Debra Tendrich
State Representative (Dist. 90) - Rob Long
State Representative (Dist. 92) - Kelly Skidmore
State Representative (Dist. 93) - August Mangeney
State Representative (Dist. 94) - Elizabeth Holmes

County Commission (Dist. 2) - Erica Whitfield

County Commission (Dist. 4) -  Curtis Calabrese
County Commission (Dist. 6) - Katherine Waldron

Port of Palm Beach District Commission (Group 4) - Blair Ciklin
Port of Palm Beach District Commission (Group 5) - Deandre Poole

County Court Judge (Group 12) - Schnelle Tonge

School Board (Dist. 4) - Christina Romelus
School Board (Dist. 6) - John McGovern
 
Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation Board (Group 3) - Douglas Richard Brown

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

U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel 

U.S. Congressman Jared Moskowitz

State Senator Lori Berman 

State Senator Tina Polsky 

State Representative Jervonte "Tae" Edmonds

State Representative Emily Gregory

State Representative Rob Long

State Representative Kelly Skidmore 

State Representative Debra Tendrich

County Commissioner Bobby Powell, Jr.

County Commissioner Joel Flores

County Commissioner Maria Sachs 

County Commissioner Gregg Weiss

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon 

Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks 

Public Defender Daniel Eisinger

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw 

State Attorney Alexcia Cox

Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link 

School Board Member Marcia Andrews 

School Board Member Karen Brill 

School Board Member Edwin Ferguson

School Board Member Matthew Lane 

School Board Member Erica Whitfield 

Port Commissioner Blair Ciklin 

Port Commissioner Wayne Richards 

Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Dana Gillen 

Circuit Court Judge Jaimie Goodman 

Circuit Court Judge Dina Keever-Agrama 

Circuit Court Judge Lisa Small 

County County Court Judge Marni Bryson 

County Court Judge Lourdes Casanova

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 Eva Webb 

Northern PBC Improvement District Member Ellen Baker 

Boca Raton Mayor Andy Thomson

Boca Raton City Council Member Yvette Drucker

Boca Raton City Council Member Stacy Sipple 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Angela Cruz 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Aimee Kelley 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Mack McCray

Delray Beach City Commissioner Angela Burns

Delray Beach City Commissioner Judy Molica

Greenacres Mayor Chuck Shaw

Greenacres City Councilwoman Suzy Diaz 

Greenacres City Councilwoman Judith Dugo 

Greenacres City Councilman John Tharp

Lake Clarke Shores Town Council Member Gregory Freebold

Lake Clarke Shores Town Council Member Taylor Materio

Lake Park Mayor Roger Michaud

Lake Park Town Commissioner Michael Hensley

Lake Park Town Commissioner Judith Thomas  

Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Sarah Malega 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Christopher McVoy 

North Palm Beach Village Mayor Susan Bickel 

North Palm Beach Village Councilmember Kendra Zellner

Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Hickox Moore 

Palm Beach Town Councilwoman Julie Araskog 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Ted Cooney 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Lew Crampston

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Marcie Tinsley  

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Rachelle Litt

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Dana Middleton

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman Shirley Lanier 

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman KaShamba Miller-Anderson 

Royal Palm Beach Village Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps 

Royal Palm Beach Village Councilwoman Selena Samios

Wellington Village Mayor Michael Napoleone 

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Christy Fox

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.

PBCHRC Voters Alliance currently holding office - June 7, 2026

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

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 Representative Jervonte "Tae" Edmonds

State Representative Emily Gregory

State Representative Rob Long

State Representative Kelly Skidmore 

State Representative Debra Tendrich

County Commissioner Bobby Powell, Jr.

County Commissioner Joel Flores

County Commissioner Maria Sachs 

County Commissioner Gregg Weiss

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon 

Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks 

Public Defender Daniel Eisinger

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw 

State Attorney Alexcia Cox

Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link 

School Board Member Marcia Andrews 

School Board Member Karen Brill 

School Board Member Edwin Ferguson

School Board Member Matthew Lane 

School Board Member Erica Whitfield 

Port Commissioner Blair Ciklin 

Port Commissioner Deandre Poole

Port Commissioner Wayne Richards 

Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Dana Gillen 

Circuit Court Judge Jaimie Goodman 

Circuit Court Judge Dina Keever-Agrama 

Circuit Court Judge Lisa Small 

County County Court Judge Marni Bryson 

County Court Judge Lourdes Casanova

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 Eva Webb 

Northern PBC Improvement District Member Ellen Baker 

Boca Raton Mayor Andy Thomson

Boca Raton City Council Member Yvette Drucker

Boca Raton City Council Member Stacy Sipple 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Angela Cruz 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Aimee Kelley 

Boynton Beach City Commissioner Mack McCray

Delray Beach City Commissioner Angela Burns

Delray Beach City Commissioner Judy Molica

Greenacres Mayor Chuck Shaw

Greenacres City Councilwoman Suzy Diaz 

Greenacres City Councilwoman Judith Dugo 

Greenacres City Councilman John Tharp

Lake Clarke Shores Town Council Member Gregory Freebold

Lake Clarke Shores Town Council Member Taylor Materio

Lake Park Mayor Roger Michaud

Lake Park Town Commissioner Michael Hensley

Lake Park Town Commissioner Judith Thomas  

Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Sarah Malega 

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Christopher McVoy 

North Palm Beach Village Mayor Susan Bickel 

North Palm Beach Village Councilmember Kendra Zellner

Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Hickox Moore 

Palm Beach Town Councilwoman Julie Araskog 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Ted Cooney 

Palm Beach Town Councilman Lew Crampston

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Marcie Tinsley  

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Rachelle Litt

Palm Beach Gardens City Councilmember Dana Middleton

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman Shirley Lanier 

Riviera Beach City Councilwoman KaShamba Miller-Anderson 

Royal Palm Beach Village Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps 

Royal Palm Beach Village Councilwoman Selena Samios

Wellington Village Mayor Michael Napoleone 

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Christy Fox

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Joe Peduzzi 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Cathleen Ward 

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Shalonda Warren 

President's Message - February 2026

February 16, 2026

For the foreseeable future, the LGBTQ+ community across the country will continue to face greater challenges at the federal and state levels than we have in decades. Elections have consequences, and our community is being targeted in an unprecedented manner.

Fortunately, over the years, PBCHRC has secured exceptional countywide and municipal victories which assure LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Palm Beach County are entitled to equal rights, privileges, benefits and protections.

Unfortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis and his legislative lackeys in Tallahassee have enacted – and continue to attempt to enact – some of the nation’s most abhorrent anti-LGBTQ+ laws. They have also made Florida the #1 state in the nation in banning books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes. His administration’s threats to withhold transportation funding from municipalities has resulted in the destruction of all of Florida’s LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and streetscapes. However, public officials in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach currently are working to recognize the LGBTQ+ community through new displays of public art. In addition, public officials in Boynton Beach have pledged to do the same; however, no steps have been taken yet to work on this project.

In Palm Beach County, the LGBTQ+ community will not be erased! 

PBCHRC VOTERS ALLIANCE

Throughout the years, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance (PBCHRCVA) has interviewed close to 1,000 candidates and have endorse hundreds who support LGBTQ+ initiatives.

On December 9, 2025, a Special Election for District 90 of the Florida House of Representatives, which covers parts of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, was held to fill the vacancy which resulted from the passing of longtime LGBTQ+ advocate Joe Casello. PBCHRCVA endorsed Rob Long, an outspoken and passionate supporter of our LGBTQ+ community.  He handily won the election and currently serves in the Florida House.

Another vacancy in the Florida House was created when Governor DeSantis appointed Mike Caruso to serve as Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Palm Beach County. After interviewing candidates, PBCHRCVA endorsed Emily Gregory, who won the Democratic Primary for District 87 with more than 88% of the vote on January 13, 2026. A Special Election will be held on March 24, 2026, to determine who will fill the seat.

Municipal Elections will be held throughout Palm Beach County on March 10. Following our face-to-face interviews with candidates last month, the following endorsements were made:

Boca Raton Mayor - Andy Thomson

Boca Raton City Council (Seat A) - Christen Ritchey

Boca Raton City Council (Seat B) - Meredith Madsen 

Boca Raton City Council (Seat D) - Stacy Sipple 

Delray Beach City Commission (Dist. 2) - Judy Mollica

Greenacres City Council (Dist. II) - Olga Sierra

Greenacres City Council (Dist. III) - Judy Dugo

Lake Park Mayor - Roger Michaud

Palm Beach Town Council (Group 1) - 

CO ENDORSEMENT - YOU MAY ONLY VOTE FOR ONE OF THE TWO CANDIDATES

John David Corey OR Lew Crampton 

Palm Beach Gardens City Council (Seat 3)  - Rachelle Litt

Palm Beach Gardens City Council (Seat 5)  - Dana Middleton

Royal Palm Beach Village Council (Seat 1) - Selena Samios

Wellington Village Council (Seat 2) - Tatiana Yaques

Wellington Village Council (Seat 3) -  Lauren Brody

West Palm Beach City Commission (Dist. 1) - Cathleen Ward

West Palm Beach City Commission (Dist. 3) - Christy Fox

With regard to the March 10, 2026 Municipal Elections:

• the deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you -Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 5:00 pm
• the deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot is Tuesday, March 10, 2026

However, the Village of North Palm Beach will hold their Municipal Election on March 24, 2026. PBCHRCVA interviewed and endorsed Kendra Zellner for the Village Council (Seat 4).

Regarding to the March 24, 2026 Special Elections:

• the deadline to register to vote – Monday, February 23, 2026
• the deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you - Thursday, March 12, 2026, by 5:00 pm
• Early Voting is from Saturday, March 14, 2026, through Sunday, March 22, 2026
• The deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot is Tuesday, March 24, 2026, by 7:00 p.m.

For a list of more than 70 current (or recently elected) officeholders endorsed by PBCHRCVA, click here.. 

AWAITING U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION ON CONSTITUTIONALITY OF BANS ON CONVERSION THERAPY 

Conversion therapy encompasses a range of discredited counseling practices by which therapists seek to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression through “talk therapy” and aversion treatment.  

In 2016, PBCHRC began a successful campaign to prohibit this quackery throughout Palm Beach County. Miami Beach First Assistant City Attorney Rob Rosenwald, former PBCHRC Board Member Trent Steele, and then West Palm Beach Assistant City Attorney Zoë Panarites and I drafted a model ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors by licensed physicians and therapists.

PBCHRC Board members and volunteers appeared at public hearings throughout Palm Beach County and by the end of 2017, bans were enacted in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, and Boca Raton. Our campaign culminated when Palm Beach County Commissioners enacted the first countywide conversion therapy ban in Florida.

However, Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBTQ hate group, filed suit in federal court to nullify the bans enacted by Palm Beach County and the City of Boca Raton.

While we prevailed in federal District Court, in 2020, the order was reversed by the Trump appointees on the Court of Appeal, who found that the bans infringed on the First Amendment free speech rights of the therapists. As a result, no conversion therapy bans are allowed in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. However, more than twenty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and well over 100 counties and municipalities have banned conversion therapy on minors by licensed therapists.

The law banning conversion therapy in Colorado made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court and on October 7, Zoë and I were invited to observe oral argument at the Supreme Court. Although it is often impossible to predict how judges will rule, following oral argument Zoë and I agreed it is extremely unlikely the Court will uphold the ban on conversion therapy as constitutional.

If the Supreme Court rules the law infringes on free speech, the justices could send the case back to the lower court for further consideration, which would give us some hope. However, the Court may well declare the law unconstitutional, which would strike down all conversion therapy bans in the United States.

As always, we will keep you posted. 

PBCHRC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, which was established in 2015, awards scholarships and provides funding to nonprofit organizations.

Each year the Foundation presents our Social Justice Awards – $2,500 scholarships – to graduating LGBTQ+ and allied high school seniors who have been advocates for our community. For more information about the 2026 PBCHRC Social Justice Awards (including a link to the application), click here.  The deadline for applications is April 2, 2026.

To date, we have awarded 31 Social Justice Award To view the biographies of the Social Justice Award recipients and to learn more about the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, click here.

The Foundation also provides need-based scholarships to LGBTQ+ college students through the Norman L. Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarships, to second and third year law students through the W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Awards, and to students from Palm Beach County who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math through the Charlie Fredrickson Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarships. advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion.

For more information about the Foundation's various scholarship programs, click here. 

PBCHRC and the Charitable Foundation have recently made significant contributions to:

• 451 Avengers, a local activist organization challenging library book bans in Palm Beach County,
• ACLU of Florida Foundation, which works to create a Florida free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,
• Compass, our county's LGBTQ+ community center,
• First Amendment Foundation, which watches over a legislative program to review, and reenact if warranted, each of the hundreds of exemptions to Florida's public records law,
• The Historical Society of Palm Beach County, in support of their 2025 Celebration of Pride recognizing H.G. Roosters. 
• Lambda Legal, a national legal organization representing LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV in court – and in the court of public opinion,
• The Movement Advancement Project (MAP), 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,
• Night Runners WPB, a local non-profit organization that hosts weekly meetups for the LGBTQ+ and allied runners and walkers,
• PRISM, which works to expand access to LGBTQ+-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in South Florida,
• South Florida Queer Jewish Youth Alliance, 
• Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library, which presents exhibitions on LGBTQ+ themes and public programs in South Florida and across the United States,
• Transpire, which provides the resources necessary for LGBTQ+ individuals to create a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life, and,
• Vita Nova, which is a safe bridge to independence for former foster care, LGBTQ+ and other unhoused local youth through supportive housing, education, employment and life. 

2026 WINTER FÊTE

More than 200 PBCHRC supporters partied the night away at an amazing waterfront spec home in West Palm Beach built by Hilary Musser Homes. The event raised more than $100,000 for PBCHRC and the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation.

Thanks go out to Hilary Musser, Sandy James Fine Food & Productions, Echo Palm Beach, event designer Bruce Sutka, and our amazing Host Committee:

Allied Property Management Group, Inc.

Altima Palm Beach

Paul Bernabeo and David Cohen

Senator Mack Bernard and Shawn Bernard

Terry Bowie and William Feldkamp

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw

School Board Member Karen Brill

Pamela Buchmeyer and Shellie Crandall

Delray Beach City Commissioner Angela Burns

Nancy Chanin

Shawn Cherry and Vincent Ruisi

Gil Cohen and Paul Gervais

Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center

Cornerstone Solutions

David Crespo and Nicholas Coppola

Lew Crampton

Crémieux Palm Beach

James Curtis and Jason Colin

Joseph Paul Davis

Arlen Dominek and A.J. Young

Echo

Public Defender Daniel and Amy Eisinger

County Commissioner Joel Flores

Congresswoman Lois Frankel

Charles Freeman and Michael Grattendick

Gallery Charles

Gay Polo League

H.G. Roosters

HSS Florida- James Colongo and Gina Kelly

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County

Sarah and Melissa Hassan

Rand Hoch

Tom Holton

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and Lorna James

William S. Jennings and Richard D. Triggs

Michael Judd and Ben Small

Andrea Keiser

West Palm Beach City Commission President Christina Lambert and Monte Lambert

Gregg Lerman

Rachelle and Jeffrey Litt

State Representative Rob Long and Alexandria Ayala

Matthew McWatters and Jeffrey Hurcomb

Bram Majtlis and Nick Gold

Elijah Manley for Congress

Joseph Marino, Jr. and Anthony Sibilia

Anthony and Crystal Marotta

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Mimi May

Meat Market - Palm Beach

Burt Minkoff

David and Michael Mittleman

Mittleman Eye

Judy Mollica

Sandy James Fine Food & Productions

Robert Scarborough - SpirePoint Private Client

Arthur Schofield

Julie Seaver

David Silvers

W. Trent Steele

Bruce Sutka

James Swope and Scott Robertson

Eric Telchin and Logan Nolting

Andy Thomson 

Scott Velozo and Stephen Mooney

A.J. Wasson and Randy Christensen

County Commissioner Gregg Weiss and Rebecca Weiss

School Board Member Erica Whitfield

Charles Williams

CURRENT INITIATIVES

PBCHRC is currently working to persuade:  

• The courts, prosecutors, and public defenders to utilize the appropriate pronouns when addressing trans people with business before the courts, 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. 

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.

President's Message - October 2025

 October 2025

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. We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation and community outreach. For the foreseeable future, the LGBTQ+ community across the country will continue to face greater challenges at the federal and state levels than we have in decades. Elections have consequences, and our community is being targeted in an unprecedented manner.

Fortunately, over the years, PBCHRC has secured exceptional countywide and municipal victories which assure LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Palm Beach County are entitled to equal rights, privileges, benefits and protections.

Unfortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis and his legislative lackeys in Tallahassee have enacted some of the nation’s most abhorrent anti-LGBTQ+ laws. They have also made Florida the #1 state in the nation in banning books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes. His administration’s threats to withhold transportation funding from municipalities has resulted in the destruction of all of Florida’s LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and streetscapes. However, elected officials in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, have pledged to recognize the LGBTQ+ community through new displays of public art.

At least here in Palm Beach County, the LGBTQ+ community will not be erased! 

U.S. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF  BANS ON CONVERSION THERAPY 

Conversion therapy encompasses a range of discredited counseling practices by which therapists seek to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression through “talk therapy” and aversion treatment.  

In 2016, PBCHRC began a successful campaign to prohibit this quackery throughout Palm Beach County. Miami Beach First Assistant City Attorney Rob Rosenwald, former PBCHRC Board Member Trent Steele, and then West Palm Beach Assistant City Attorney Zoë Panarites and I drafted a model ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors by licensed physicians and therapists.

PBCHRC Board members and volunteers appeared at public hearings throughout Palm Beach County and by the end of 2017, bans were enacted in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, and Boca Raton. Our campaign culminated when Palm Beach County Commissioners enacted the first countywide conversion therapy ban in Florida.

However, Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBTQ hate group, filed suit in federal court to nullify the bans enacted by Palm Beach County and the City of Boca Raton.

While we prevailed in federal District Court, in 2020, the order was reversed by the Trump appointees on the Court of Appeal, who found that the bans infringed on the First Amendment free speech rights of the therapists. As a result, no conversion therapy bans are allowed in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. However, more than twenty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and well over 100 counties and municipalities have banned conversion therapy on minors by licensed therapists.

The law banning conversion therapy in Colorado made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court and on October 7, Zoë and I were invited to observe oral argument at the Supreme Court. Although it is often impossible to predict how judges will rule, following oral argument Zoë and I agreed it is extremely unlikely the Court will uphold the ban on conversion therapy as constitutional.

If the Supreme Court rules the law infringes on free speech, the justices could send the case back to the lower court for further consideration, which would give us some hope. However, the Court may well declare the law unconstitutional, which would strike down all conversion therapy bans in the United States.

As always, we will keep you posted. 

PBCHRC VOTERS ALLIANCE

 Throughout the years, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance (PBCHRCVA) has interviewed close to 1,000 candidates and have endorse hundreds who support LGBTQ+ initiatives.

A Special Election for District 90 of the Florida House of Representatives, which covers parts of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, will be held on December 9, 2025. The seat had been held by longtime LGBTQ+ advocate Joe Casello, who passed away in July. PBCHRCVA endorsed Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long. For close to a decade in public office, Rob has been an outspoken and passionate supporter of our LGBTQ+ community. He will make an excellent addition to Palm Beach County’s legislative delegation.

With many municipalities holding elections in 2026, PBCHRCVA will soon begin the process of interviewing candidates and making endorsements.

For a list of more than 70 current (or recently elected) officeholders endorsed by PBCHRCVA, click here. 

WINTER FÊTE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

 Party the night away with PBCHRC supporters on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at a private waterfront home in West Palm Beach. Sandy James Fine Food and Productions will be catering the event, Echo will be providing the sushi, and, as always, there will be complimentary valet parking and a premium open bar. Individual tickets are $375. You may also join the Host Committee for $1,500, which entitles you to being included in event media and two tickets to the event. 

The Host Committee (as of October 9) includes:

Host - Hilary Musser Homes

Sushi Sponsor - Echo

Host Committee 

Altima Palm Beach

Paul Bernabeo and David Cohen

Senator Mack Bernard and Shawn Bernard

Terry Bowie and William Feldkamp

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw

School Board Member Karen Brill

Pamela Buchmeyer and Shellie Crandall

Delray Beach City Commissioner Angela Burns

Nancy Chanin

Shawn Cherry and Vincent Ruisi

Gil Cohen and Paul Gervais

Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center

David Crespo and Nicholas Coppola

Cornerstone Solutions

Lew Crampton

Crémieux Palm Beach

James Curtis and Jason Colin

Joseph Paul Davis

Arlen Dominek and A.J. Young

Public Defender Daniel and Amy Eisinger

Congresswoman Lois Frankel

County Commissioner Joel Flores

Charles Freeman and Michael Grattendick

Gallery Charles

Gay Polo League

H.G. Roosters

Sarah and Melissa Hassan

Rand Hoch

Tom Holton

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and Lorna James

William S. Jennings and Richard D. Triggs

Michael Judd and Ben Small

West Palm Beach City Commission President Christina Lambert and Monte Lambert

Gregg Lerman

Rachelle and Jeffrey Litt

State Representative Rob Long and Alexandria Ayala

Elijah Manley for Congress

Joseph Marino, Jr. and Anthony Sibilia

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Mimi May

Michael and David Mittleman

Mittleman Eye

Judy Mollica

County Commissioner Bobby Powell and Whitney Powell

Sandy James Fine Food & Productions

Arthur Schofield

Julie Seaver

David Silvers

W. Trent Steele

James Swope and Scott Robertson

Eric Telchin and Logan Nolting

Andy Thomson 

Scott Velozo and Stephen Mooney

A.J. Wasson and Randy Christensen

School Board Member Erica Whitfield

County Commissioner Gregg Weiss and Rebecca Weiss

To join the Host Committee

or purchase individual tickets, 

click here. 

PBCHRC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, which was established in 2015, awards scholarships and provides funding to nonprofit organizations.

Earlier this year, the Foundation presented seven amazing students with our PBCHRC Social Justice Awards – $2,500 scholarships available to graduating LGBTQ+ and allied high school seniors who have been advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.

The recipients of the 2025 PBCHRC Social Justice Awards are Uriel Berman, Chrishena “Shena” Brown, Ari’on Flowers, Jolie Hood, Gabi Koenig, Evin Molina-Ramirez, and a student who has chosen to remain anonymous due to a lack of family acceptance.

To date, we have awarded 31 Social Justice Award To view the biographies of the Social Justice Award recipients and to learn more about the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation, click here

The Foundation also provides need-based scholarships to LGBTQ+ college students through the Norman L. Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarships. Our most recent recipient of a $2,500 scholarship is Stella Watkins, a first generation Jamaican American, who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Florida Atlantic University, magna cum laude. As a Community Advocacy & Partnership Engagement (CAPE) Grant scholar, Stella spent her senior practicum in primary care. She is now pursuing her Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) degree at the graduate level at FAU.

In addition, from time-to-time the Foundation presents the W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Award to LGBTQ+ and allied second and third year law students with ties to Palm Beach County. The Award was established 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 inaugural award of a $2,500 scholarship was presented to Hunter Altschul, a student at Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law. Hunter has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ since high school and as an undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University, he regularly volunteered at Palm Beach Pride and Wilton Manors Pride. Now pursuing his law degree, Hunter plans to establish his legal career in Palm Beach County, where he intends to continue advocating for our community.

The Foundation has also presented Sol Lima, a senior at the University of Florida, with the inaugural Charlie Fredrickson Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarship. The $5,000.00 scholarship supports LGBTQ+ and allied students from Palm Beach County who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math. The scholarships have been made possible through a bequest from Charlie Fredrickson, an aerospace engineer, amateur astronomer, and LGBTQ+ community advocate.

Sol, a leader in local LGBTQ+ youth circles and a recipient of PBCHRC’s 2021 Social Justice Award, graduated from Jupiter High School. Sol, who served as president of the Gay-Straight Alliance in both high school and at Palm Beach State College, has been actively involved with Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center and the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of the Palm Beaches. Now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, with a minor in Bioinformatics at the University of Florida. Sol continues to be a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion.

For more information about the Foundation's various scholarship programs, click here. PBCHRC and the Charitable Foundation have made significant contributions to:

• 451 Avengers, a local activist organization challenging library book bans in Palm Beach County,
• ACLU of Florida Foundation, which works to create a Florida free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,
• Compass, our county's LGBTQ+ community center,
• First Amendment Foundation, which watches over a legislative program to review, and reenact if warranted, each of the hundreds of exemptions to Florida's public records law,
• The Historical Society of Palm Beach County, in support of their 2025 Celebration of Pride recognizing H.G. Roosters. 
• Lambda Legal, a national legal organization representing LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV in court – and in the court of public opinion,
• The Movement Advancement Project (MAP), 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,
• Night Runners WPB, a local non-profit organization that hosts weekly meetups for the LGBTQ+ and allied runners and walkers,
• PRISM, which works to expand access to LGBTQ+-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in South Florida,
• Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library, which presents exhibitions on LGBTQ+ themes and public programs in South Florida and across the United States,
• Transpire, which provides the resources necessary for LGBTQ+ individuals to create a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life, and,
• Vita Nova, which is a safe bridge to independence for former foster care, LGBTQ+ and other unhoused local youth through supportive housing, education, employment and life. 

IN OTHER NEWS

• Thanks go out to Crémieux Palm Beach for hosting a "Night in St. Tropez" and Meat Market Palm Beach for hosting our annual “Pride Happy Hour”. PBCHRC received 10% of sales from both events, and
• Congratulations to Avion Gordeen on his appointment to serve as PBCHRC’s representative on the Palm Beach County School Board District’s Diversity and Equity Committee. 

CURRENT INITIATIVES

• PBCHRC is currently working to persuade:  The courts, prosecutors, and public defenders to utilize the appropriate pronouns when addressing trans people with business before the courts.
• 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. 

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.

Meet PBCHRC's 2025 Social Justice Awards Recipients