Pride Month may have officially ended on June 30th, but the fight for LGBTQ+ rights continues. My name is Bryson Morgan, and I am the Democratic candidate for Florida State House District 17 in Southeastern Duval County (Jacksonville, Florida). As a young, gay candidate, I have witnessed firsthand the bullying and attacks from the GOP supermajority in the Florida Legislature. From the "Don't Say Gay" bill to punishing providers for performing gender-affirming care, these actions are damaging and pushing Florida in the wrong direction.
While the Florida Governor and government strip away more and more rights from LGBTQ+ individuals like myself, Florida remains vibrant and diverse. I am proud to play in an LGBTQ+ inclusive sports league, which allows individuals across Jacksonville and other cities to come together, compete, and welcome newcomers into our loving community.
This weekend, I have the pleasure of joining over 2,500 LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to socialize, play competitive sports from kickball to volleyball, and enjoy the city's welcoming atmosphere. Seeing Minnesota's inclusive government and legislature reminds me of what we can achieve in Florida. Here, the Lieutenant Governor welcomed our group, while in Florida, our Governor continually attacks the LGBTQ+ community, including banning city governments from lighting bridges in colors other than red, white, and blue for "Florida's Freedom Summer." He has also wasted taxpayer money on new "Welcome to Florida" signs proclaiming, "Welcome to the Free State of Florida." If Florida were truly a "Free State," we would welcome everyone, regardless of who they are, who they love, or their skin color.
This dangerous and intentional rhetoric is precisely why I'm running for the Florida State House. We need a champion in the Legislature to fight for individual rights. Republicans once stood for small government, but now they seek to control our bodies and lives.
I stand with my LGBTQ+ community in this fight. We cannot back down. But I cannot do this alone. I need your support. If you can donate, please do so HERE to help us flip this seat in November. If you cannot contribute financially, you can still support by sharing this post on social media and spreading the word. Together, we will fight, conquer, and win!