1956 - 1965: The Johns Committee
Let's take a look into the Sunshine State’s not-so-bright past, a darker chapter of our history called the Johns Committee.
In the 1960s, a group of government officials were on a crusade to hunt down anyone who didn’t fit their narrow definition of normal. LGBTQ+ individuals were targeted, leaving behind destruction and devastation.
- 39 professors and deans were fired from the University of Florida.
- 71 public school teachers had their teaching certificates revoked.
- Over 300 investigations were pending at Florida universities and public schools.
The committee published "The Purple Pamphlet," blurring the lines between homosexuality and pedophilia. In 1965, the committee disbanded under public backlash.
1977: Save Our Children Campaign
Anita Bryant, the face of the 'Save Our Children' campaign, successfully overturned anti-discrimination laws in Florida.
"Homosexuals cannot reproduce, so they must recruit. And to freshen their ranks, they must recruit the youth of America."
Despite her success, LGBTQ+ Floridians boycotted her and reclaimed the term "Anita Bryants" for cocktails like screwdrivers.
1981-1992: The AIDS Epidemic
By 1992, AIDS had become the leading cause of death for U.S. men aged 25-44. Florida's LGBTQ+ community fought hard, creating organizations like:
- 1986: Tampa AIDS Network (TAN)
- 1991: CAN Community Health
- 1992: Metro Inclusive Health
1982: Tampa Pride
USF hosted Tampa's first Pride event in 1982, starting with a small BBQ and softball game. Today, it’s one of the most significant pride celebrations in the state.
1996-1997: Marriage Equality Setbacks
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was signed into law in 1996, and Florida followed suit in 1997, denying same-sex couples legal recognition of their marriages.
2005: Pride Legislation
In 2005, Hillsborough County banned government recognition of Pride events, led by Ronda Storms. A supermajority requirement was added to prevent future reversals.
2010: Adoption Rights Victory
In re: Gill, the court ruled Florida's ban on same-sex adoptions unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the state.
2014: Marriage Equality
Thanks to the Brenner v. Scott ruling, Florida became the 36th state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015.
2021-2023: Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
In recent years, discriminatory bills like the 'Don’t Say Gay' bill and bans on gender-affirming care have threatened LGBTQ+ rights in Florida.