It’s been decades since Florida had an elected statewide official who paid much more than lip service to open government, and state and local agencies are taking advantage, showing more contempt than respect for the law, argues Florence Snyder.
Rights & Liberties
New Report Doubles Estimate of Transgender People in U.S.; Florida’s Proportion Ranks 6th
The estimate places Florida’s proportion of transgender people at almost 0.7 percent, for a total of 100,000 people, with the national proportion at 0.6 percent, for a total of 1.4 million.
Abortion Rights Mark Big Court Victory, But Effect on Florida Restrictions Unclear
Florida supporters of recent laws requiring more stringent standards for abortion providers say the high court ruling should have no impact. Pending court challenges suggest otherwise.
Media and Orlando Go to Court Over City’s Censoring of Massacre’s 911 Calls
The city of Orlando wants the court to help determine how to handle the unreleased portions of 911 emergency communications involving the June 12 massacre at the Pulse nightclub.
Gun In Hand, Tax Collector Johnston Heralds Fast-Track Concealed-Weapon Permitting
Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston took herself and most of her staff through a gun-safety class and shooting session at the range to prepare for her office’s new service: processing and fast-tracking concealed-weapons permits, starting today (June 22).
Salvaged by Revels’s Diplomacy, Pot-Decriminalization Proposal Will Now Seek Cities’ Approval
The proposal would allow cops to issue civil citations to people caught with small amounts of marijuana, avoiding a criminal record. But its success depends on approval from all cities and the county commission, which is yet to come.
A Transgender Latina Teen Speaks: They’re Killing Us. Help Us Stop Them.
Many Republicans invoked fears of international terrorism, but most said nothing about the members of our LGBTQ communities, who were the very targets and victims, writes Grace Dolan-Sandrino.
As Exceptionally American As It Gets
Our mass shootings have developed their own set rituals and denials, none so lethal as the complicity with murder that blames the wrong targets while excusing guns.
For LGBT, Always That Target on Their Backs
It turns out shooter Omar Marteen may have been motivated by both homophobia and Islamic radicalism. That should not come as a surprise, writes Nancy Smith.
Adam Putnam Says Orlando Mass Murderer Had Cleared All Legally Required Background Checks
Putnam runs the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees weapons permits in Florida. The department hasn’t released Mateen’s application paperwork.
