One Orlando Alliance Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report

AllianceAgenda 10 issues affecting LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in Central Florida

OneOrlandoAlliance.org

AGENDA FIRST PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2018, UPDATED OCTOBER 2019

Compassion. Resiliency.

Love. Respect. Inclusivity. This is #OrlandoUnited On June 12, 2016, Orlando experienced one of the worst mass shootings in American history. All told, 49 lives were taken, 68 were injured and countless individuals were impacted by the tragedy at Pulse nightclub. Most of those victimized identified as LGBTQ+, Latinx and/or Black/African American.

While June 12th represents a tragic day in Central Florida’s history, it also marks a turning point—a moment when the entire Orlando community united with compassion and resiliency to denounce hate and fear and stand up for love, respect and inclusivity. Within hours, LGBTQ+ community leaders began mobilizing to help victims, soon forming an informal alliance of organizations and individuals set on addressing the senseless tragedy. Over the subsequent months, the all-volunteer alliance became an essential source of information and support for victims, their families, the LGBTQ+ community, government and community partners. Together, we actively engaged in helping our community heal and committed to showing love and kindness to one another.

Issues on the Agenda 1. Youth 2. Workplace Equality 3. Homelessness 4. Health Care 5. Coming Out 6. Vulnerable Populations 7. Transgender/ Gender Nonbinary 8. Hate Crimes 9. Racial Inequality 10. Immigration

OneOrlandoAlliance.org AllianceAgenda.org #OrlandoUnited PHOTOS BY J.D. CASTO

Today, One Orlando Alliance is a unified coalition committed to working together, in unprecedented ways, to turn tragedy into hope and positive impact. Collectively, our member organizations are committed to ensuring that Central Florida serves as a model of nonprofits, businesses, foundations and government institutions, all working together to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all LGBTQ+ people.

The Alliance Agenda focuses on 10 critical issues affecting LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in Central Florida. This annual report is the first of its kind to unite an entire local LGBTQ+ community. It is our commitment to communicate and collaborate around these 10 community-centric issues as well as our roadmap to success and measuring stick of the progress and impact being made.

Since publishing our first annual report in 2018, we have made great strides in protecting our youth, the City of Orlando and Orange County Government have both begun to recognize LGBTQ+ owned business, LGBTQ+ homelessness is being addressed collaboratively, and our most marginalized communities are now at the table, with their voices being elevated. Our member organizations all continue to make positive differences in their own way and when we collectively join around the table, we envision a world where these issues no longer exist.

Until that day comes, the Pulse tragedy continues to point us toward the work we have yet to do. Together, that work is happening and we are more focused than ever before. By staying true to the fundamental values of inclusivity, respect, communication and collaboration that originally brought us together, we commit to purposeful action to ensure our community will thrive. We are all #OrlandoUnited and ask that you join us in creating a safer, more inclusive community for all.

YOUTH

Creating a Safer World for LGBTQ+ Youth to Be— and Become—Themselves Only 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth report that they always feel safe in the classroom.

12.2% of students in Orange County identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

For many LGBTQ+ young people, school = fear: Only 26% say they always feel safe there. More than 50% of transgender youth attempt suicide after encountering slurs or violence at school. Yet LGBTQ+ youth with supportive families have positive

LGBTQ+ youth come out at every age, many before high school. Public

health outcomes including increased

support for the LGBTQ+ community has increased dramatically over

youth get a negative reaction from

challenging decisions in an LGBTQ+ person’s life, often leading

parents after coming out. (See

to rejection, depression and even homelessness. Half of LGBTQ+ youth experience a negative reaction when they come out.

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MORE INFO:

2

3

Coming Out for more information.)

This is linked to increased depression, suicidal behavior, substance abuse and HIV risk. Research suggests that

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E : Support from school administrators to form Gay/Straight Alliance clubs in all middle and high schools.

rates of depression and substance use. Unfortunately, half of LGBTQ+

the past decade, yet coming out remains one of the most emotionally

Passage of comprehensive laws that address harassment and/or bullying of students based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

self-esteem and resilience and lower

hostility and abuse from families also leads to eviction or running

Access to lowcost counseling services for LGBTQ+ youth, preferably within the school system.

away and a disproportionate number of these young people experience homelessness and its attendant dangers—violent crime, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse and mental health problems. (See

Homelessness for more information.)

Zebra Coalition

Equality Florida

Orlando Youth Alliance

info@ZebraYouth.org

www.eqfl.org

info@orlandoyouthalliance.org

W O R K P L AC E E Q UA L I T Y

LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality Makes Florida Better for Everyone Imagine choosing to be your authentic gender or sexual self at work, only to be sidelined, demoted, passed over for promotion or fired as a result. Over the past 5 years, 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ workers have experienced workplace discrimination.

Transgender individuals are especially at

Sexual orientation The majority of discrimination in non-LGBTQ+ the workplace is Americans (79%) legal in 28 states, support equal rights for including Florida. the LGBTQ+ community.

risk. Nationally, 9 in 10 have experienced discrimination at work, with 25% losing their jobs. Anti-discrimination policies benefit both employees and employers,

LGBTQ+ couples can legally marry anywhere in the U.S. Yet in 28

at businesses big and small. LGBTQ+

states, there are no statewide legal protections against being fired due

people in the closet are 73% more likely

to sexual orientation. While Florida cities and counties have adopted

to say they will leave their job within three years, but those in workplaces that

more than 40 human rights ordinances over the past two decades,

foster diversity and inclusiveness report

statewide nondiscrimination laws have yet to happen here.

improved job commitment, workplace relationships, job satisfaction, health

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

outcomes and productivity. A majority of Fortune 500 companies have prioritized workplace equality, but in-house policies do not replace state and federal laws protecting LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination. Nor do they allow for the enforcement of those laws, including the right to sue for discrimination or wrongful termination based on sexual orientation

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The state legislature must pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, Florida’s comprehensive LGBTQ+ non-discrimination legislation.

and gender identity. (See Transgender/

Gender Nonbinary for more information.)

MORE INFO:

2

All Central Florida employers should adopt LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion policies and practices, conduct cultural sensitivity trainings for employees, and include LGBT-owned businesses in their supply chain.

3

All Central Florida employers should strive to score 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual Corporate Equality Index, showing unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Equality Florida

The Pride Chamber of Orlando

UCF LGBTQ+ Services

www.eqfl.org

www.thepridechamber.org

sja.sdes.ucf.edu/lgbtq

HOMELESSNESS

When it Comes to Homelessness, Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ Face Special Challenges Approximately 1 in 5 35% of transgender individuals Central Florida’s in the U.S. have unstable youth who are housing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, with local homelessness statistics currently unknown. identify as LGBTQ+.

While individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to be homeless, efforts to help them often lack strategies designed to meet their specific needs. Once homeless, LGBTQ+ individuals often experience higher rates of violence, abuse and exploitation.

Some shelters bar them from entry, others do nothing to ensure

Compared to their heterosexual/cisgender counterparts, LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of poverty and homelessness. Central Florida’s combination of low wages and lack of affordable housing, unequal treatment in housing and the workplace, and family hostility and violence are to blame.

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MORE INFO:

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Increased access to safe, inclusive housing for LGBTQ+ individuals, plus cultural competency training for social service providers, particularly as it relates to transgender and elder populations.

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Florida are designed solely for the LGBTQ+ adult population.

Not surprisingly, these individuals may remain homeless longer.

LGBTQ+ youth comprise 35% of Central Florida’s minors experiencing homelessness, with

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E : Funding for a leadership position tasked with addressing issues related to LGTBQ+ homelessness.

their safety, and none in Central

family conflict and rejection as the primary reason they

Funding to increase beds for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and to address the underlying causes (access to health care and mental health, employment and education).

Watermark Publishing Group www.WatermarkOnline.com

LGBT+ Center Orlando www.TheCenterOrlando.org

Zebra Coalition www.ZebraYouth.org

Bliss Cares www.BlissCares.org

left home. Most can’t find help tailored to their needs: A recent survey of 268 youth experiencing homelessness in Central Florida found that while 93 identified as LGBTQ+, there were only 8 beds targeted to LGBTQ+ youth in the region.

(See Youth for more information.)

Legal Aid Society of Central Florida www. legalaidocba.org

H E A LT H CA R E

Discrimination Still Prevents LGBTQ+ People From Getting Health Care Certain subgroups of the LGBTQ+ community have more chronic conditions and a higher prevalence/ earlier onset of disabilities than their heterosexual counterparts. Some research suggests that lesbians have a higher risk of breast cancer while transgender individuals have unique health care needs yet face significant

29% of LGBTQ+ adults are likely to delay or not seek medical care compared to 17% for others.

LGBTQ+ individuals are nearly 3 times more likely to experience a mental health condition.

barriers in obtaining quality care.

Other major health concerns include HIV/AIDS, substance use and sexual and physical violence. Relatedly, some LGBTQ+ individuals are more

When it comes to healthcare, LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual/cisgender peers share some concerns: difficulty finding affordable care, worry about losing

likely to experience barriers to

their job and health insurance due to illness, and the stigma around getting

health care due to gaps in coverage,

treated for mental illness and sexually transmitted infections. But the LGBTQ+

prohibitive costs or even being denied care because of their sexual

community faces additional challenges, leading to worse health outcomes.Â

orientation or gender identity.

LGBTQ+ individuals also face higher

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

rates of mental illness, addiction and suicide—the highest among bisexual, questioning, transgender and young individuals. LGBTQ+ individuals often keep mum about mental health issues due to stigma and are less apt to get help. More LGBTQ+

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culturally competent mental health providers are therefore essential.

MORE INFO:

Passage of comprehensive laws that prohibit denying medical treatment to LGBTQ+ individuals, and removal of laws criminalizing individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

2

Improved access to health education, as well as free health screenings for illnesses such as breast, cervical and anal cancers and HPV.

3

Targeted funding for programs to reduce suicide in LGBTQ+ populations, improved access to quality LGBTQ+ mental health services and public education to destigmatize mental health conditions.

Hope and Help www.hopeandhelp.org

Two Spirit Health twospirithealth.org

Mental Health Association www.mhacf.org

Orlando Immunology Center www. oicorlando.com

Bliss Cares blisscares.org

Miracle of Love miracleofloveinc.org

COMING OUT

Coming Out Can be the Single Hardest Decision in an LGBTQ+ Person’s Life Highly rejected LGBTQ+ people are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide.

26% of LGBTQ+ youth identify family rejection as the primary problem in their lives.

Coming out can be defined as an individual’s purposeful disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity, accompanied by their internal process of self-acceptance.

The second part of that definition is often forgotten: LGBTQ+ individuals have to come out to themselves before coming out to others. Yet a shocking 700,000 LGBTQ+

Whether discussed secretly or celebrated publicly, coming out is a major event in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the long-term impact of coming out is generally positive, barriers to living an open LGBTQ+ life endure: family rejection, the political polarization around LGBTQ+ issues and harmful practices such as conversion therapy.

Americans between 18 and 59 have been subjected to “conversion therapy”—the discredited practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression—more than half during adolescence.

Worse, conversion therapy remains legal in 41 states, including most counties in Florida. Many LGBTQ+

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

1

The Florida Legislature should pass comprehensive laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ youth.

MORE INFO:

2

Educational institutions should train administrators and teachers to understand and address coming out issues and how to engage with LGBTQ+ transgender and gender nonbinary students.

individuals encounter obstacles to

3

coming out beyond fear, rejection

Central Florida businesses, public and private, should provide or increase access to LGBTQ+specific health, human resource and support programs for their LGBTQ+ employees.

from loved ones and loneliness.

These include age, race, ethnicity, religious views and socio-economic status. Combined with our society’s lingering homophobia and political movements meant to limit or reverse LGBTQ+ rights, these barriers can seem overwhelming.

PFLAG Orlando

UCF LGBTQ+ Services

Come Out with Pride

KindRed Pride Foundation

www.PFLAGOrlando.org

sja.sdes.ucf.edu/lgbtq

www.ComeOutWithPride.org

KindREDpride.org

V U L N E R A B L E P O P U L AT I O N S

The Most Vulnerable Members of the LGBTQ+ Community Require More From Us LGBTQ+ people with special needs may encounter challenges that diminish their capacity to lead healthy lives. Within the LGBTQ+ community, for instance, D/deaf LGBTQ+ people

An estimated Approximately 2.4 million LGBTQ+ 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Americans are adults identify as over the age of 65. having a disability.

often find that community events lack interpretive services. LGBTQ+ persons with disabilities may encounter health care providers who are not culturally competent, or worse, unwelcoming.

Older LGBTQ+ individuals, having experienced a lifetime of stressors due to bias, are more likely to be affected by poverty or have unique counseling needs. And as LGBTQ+ Baby Boomers

Many members of society have special needs arising from disability, natural disaster or aging. When those individuals are also LGBTQ+, they may find themselves doubly marginalized—discriminated against by society for their sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as underserved or unacknowledged by LGBTQ+ peers.

reach retirement age, they may find a dearth of assisted living facilities

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

(ALFs) and nursing homes with accepting environments. Florida’s LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican community, the fastest growing Latinx community in the state, also faces challenges.

Driven to migrate following Hurricane Maria, many still live in temporary housing. Yet there has been no funding for this group, nor data collection to determine their needs.

MORE INFO:

1

Funding for LGBTQ+ organizations to improve access for the D/deaf by hiring ASL interpreters and/ or providing real-time captioning services.

2

Adoption of laws and policies similar to California’s SB 219 (Bill of Rights for LGBTQ+ LongTerm Care Facility Residents).

3

Increased funding to collect data on the needs of the LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican community affected by Hurricane Maria and other natural disasters.

LGBT+ Center Orlando

Orlando Gay Chorus

Peer Support Space

www.TheCenterOrlando.org

www.OrlandoGayChorus.org

www.peersupportspace.org

TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONBINARY

Transgender and Gender Nonbinary People Face Discrimination, Poverty, and Violence 4 in 10 Florida led the nation in transgender anti-transgender violence individuals with 5 transgender attempt suicide. women of color being murdered in 2018.

The transgender population contends with higher rates of discrimination than others in the LGBTQ+ community. Ninety percent face discrimination at work, with 25% reporting a job loss due to bias (the unemployment rate for transgender people is twice that of the general population). Gender

Central Florida, and Orlando specifically, is a welcoming home for a growing transgender and gender nonbinary (enby) community, yet transgender people are still in need of suicide prevention services, competent medical care, and low-income housing assistance.

discrimination continues when transgender people seek health care, access to public spaces, public assistance or entry into homeless shelters. (See Homelessness for more information.) In a 2018 survey, nearly 20% of transgender respondents were refused medical

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

care (the number is higher for people of color), and 28%

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Central Florida schools, media outlets, governmental institutions, businesses and nonprofits should conduct ongoing Transgender/Gender Nonbinary Cultural Competency Training.

MORE INFO:

2

By 2020, a survey should be taken among members of Central Florida’s transgender/gender nonbinary community to assess concerns about employment, health care, public safety and access to public spaces.

3

Comprehensive human rights ordinances must be passed in all Central Florida cities and counties to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

were harassed or misgendered while seeking medical care. An alarming 40% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide according to a 2018 survey, a number that jumps to 78% for those who have experienced physical or sexual violence.

Bliss CARES

Two Spirit Health

Orlando Youth Alliance

www.BlissCares.org

www.TwoSpiritHealth.org

www.orlandoyouthalliance.org

H AT E C R I M E S

One in Five LGBTQ+ Persons in the U.S. Has Experienced a Hate Crime Hate crimes based on sexual orientation comprised more than a third of all hate crimes in Florida in 2016. The Pulse nightclub tragedy was one of them, taking 49 lives, injuring 68 and underscoring that LGBTQ+

The Pulse nightclub attack on the LGBTQ+ community was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.

Anti-LGBTQ+ homicides rose 86% in 2017 over the previous year.

individuals can encounter hate-driven violence any place, at any time. Yet Florida’s hate crime statute doesn’t include a provision against violence due to

Hate crimes are acts of physical violence, sexual attacks, verbal harassment

gender identity and expression.

or discrimination due to an individual’s real or perceived identity. While

While race is the most common

any violent crime is traumatizing, a hate crime sends a message of

motivation for hate crimes per capita, few realize that LGBTQ+

intimidation to the community. The impact is often most evident in minority

Floridians are at the highest risk

communities, and LGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately affected.

of being targeted. (Statistics don’t account for unreported crimes or unclassified hate crimes based on

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

gender identity or expression.)

Media and law enforcement often underreport or perpetuate bias, as in the 2018 murder of Sasha Garden, an Orange County transgender woman incorrectly

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described by police and the media as a man “wearing a wig” and “dressed as a female.”

MORE INFO:

Funding for a designated leadership position in Central Florida to address issues related to LGTBQ+ Victim Services.

2

Designation of liaisons at law enforcement agencies to interact with the LGBTQ+ community.

3

Passage of comprehensive hate crime laws that include gender identity and gender expression provisions.

onePulse Foundation

Victim Services Center

Equality Florida

www.OnePulseFoundation.org

www.VictimServiceCenter.org

www.eqfl.org

R AC I A L I N E Q UA L I T Y

Central Florida Needs to Support and Celebrate our Multicultural LGBTQ+ Community LGBTQ+ people of color are twice as likely to experience discrimination than others.

30% of LGBTQ+ people of color are afraid to call the police.

LGBTQ+ people of color experience more discrimination, bullying and violence then their white counterparts. As they are twice as likely to experience discrimination from police, it is not surprising that 30% are afraid to call the police compared

LGBTQ+ people of color are at least twice as likely as white LGBTQ+ people to say they have been personally discriminated against because they are LGBTQ+

with only 5% of white LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ people of color also struggle to find inclusive spaces. A Central

when applying for jobs and when interacting with police. They are six times more

Florida survey reveals concerns

likely to say they have avoided calling the police due to concern for anti-LGBTQ+

about the lack of non-nightclub

discrimination. Despite this compounded discrimination, LGBTQ+ people of color often don’t get the additional support they need from our community.

spaces and queer spiritual spaces that foster community among LGBTQ+ people of color.

Anti-immigrant harassment in queer spaces is also a problem, as is nondiverse leadership of

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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Funding for more culturally diverse programming for LGBTQ+ organizations led by LGBTQ+ individuals of color.

MORE INFO:

2

Funding to support demographic studies of LGBTQ+ populations that include race, ethnicity, age, economic status, immigration status, place of origin, and other key data.

3

LGBTQ+ organizations. LGBTQ+ leaders of color are needed in all

Funding to support anti-racism and cultural education training on racial inequity within the LGBTQ+ community.

sectors, along with more funding for multicultural programming and better demographic reporting to get a more accurate picture of the community.

QLatinx

Maven Leadership Collective

Human Rights Campaign

www.QLatinx.org

www.mavenleadership.org

www.hrc.org

I M M I G R AT I O N

Unique Issues Affecting LGBTQ+ Immigrants Are Often Ignored LGBTQ+ immigrants often lack the financial resources and documentation to access essential services. One reason: Immigration and other forms don’t

1 in 5 Florida residents is an immigrant.

LGBTQ+ immigrants are 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence than their heterosexual/ cisgender counterparts.

ask LGBTQ+ individuals to identify themselves as such. And LGBTQ+ immigrants may be reluctant to reveal this information after fleeing countries biased against them for these reasons. Both factors make it difficult

Individuals in the large Central Florida LGBTQ+ immigrant community are

to collect data on this population.

often reluctant to identify themselves as LGBTQ+. Immigration forms typically

But documented and undocumented LGBTQ+ immigrants need safer, more secure immigrant civilian detention systems, which are typically segregated by gender, exposing

do not have questions related to sexual orientation or gender identity. These individuals may also feel unsafe providing such information, leaving them to navigate a complex bureaucracy without help for their specific needs.

transgender individuals to higher rates of harassment, discrimination

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

and assault. Culturally competent legal aid support is another must, to help LGBTQ+ immigrants navigate the criminal justice system and access discrimination-free, multilingual social service programs. Language barriers and cultural differences also make it tough for LGBTQ+ immigrants to find inclusive communities, since most organizations for the immigrant population lack programming, services and policies for LGBTQ+ immigrants.

MORE INFO:

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Service providers for LGBTQ+ immigrants must offer multilingual intake forms with gender-neutral options, accept all forms of identification, and should establish LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination policies.

2

Law enforcement agencies should adopt policies on the holding and transferring of LGBTQ+ immigrant detainees, including policies to prevent misgendering and solitary confinement.

QLatinx

Hispanic Federation

www.QLatinx.org

www. hispanicfederation.org

3

Immigration attorneys should receive LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, working alongside case managers to navigate sensitive conversations regarding potential trauma and victimization.

Membership Info Would your organization like to become a member of One Orlando Alliance?

Visit OneOrlandoAlliance.org/Membership

#OrlandoUnited

One Orlando Alliance Members

*

ACLU - Central Florida

KindRED Pride Foundation

Orlando United Assistance Center

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association

Peer Support Space

Bliss CARES

LGBT+ Center Orlando

Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band & Color Guard Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association (CFGALLA)

Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation Maven Leadership Collective Mental Health Association of Central Florida

Come Out With Pride Equality Florida

Miracle of Love

Family Equality

Oak Central Fl

Hispanic Federation

Orlando Immunology Center (OIC)

Hope & Help Center of Central Florida

OnePULSE Foundation

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

Orlando Gay Chorus

Impulse Group - Orlando

Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA)

PFLAG - Orlando The Pride Chamber (formerly MBA Orlando) Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida QLatinx Two Spirit Health University of Central Florida LGBTQ+ Services Victim Service Center of Central Florida Watermark Zebra Coalition *

as of October 2019

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