Panels and Guest Speakers

Panel 1: Resistance Through Organizing

Grassroots power is at the heart of change. This panel brings together organizers and movement leaders who are building coalitions, mobilizing voters, and defending LGBTQ+ rights in every corner of Florida.

Moderator

  • Gavin Cox – Membership and Chartering Director, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Panelists

  • Matthew Grocholske – President, Florida Democratic Progressive Caucus

  • Logan Mueller – President, University of Tampa College Democrats

  • Ramón Pereira Bonilla – Sunrise Movement Orlando

  • Jeremy Rodriquez – Campaign Manager

Together, they’ll share strategies, stories, and lessons on how we resist through organizing—and how each of us can play a role in building a stronger, more inclusive movement.

Panel 2: Our Voice in the Resistance: Florida’s LGBTQ+ Legislators

Florida’s LGBTQ+ legislators are on the frontlines of the fight for equality, freedom, and justice. This panel highlights their work in Tallahassee and beyond, as they push back against attacks on our community and advance policies that protect and uplift all Floridians.

Moderator

  • Luis Salazar – Vice President, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Panelists

  • Shevrin Jones – State Senator, District 34

  • Michele Rayner – State Representative, District 62

  • Mitch Rosenwald – State Representative, District 98

  • Carlos Guillermo Smith – State Senator, District 17

Join us for a candid discussion with these trailblazing leaders about the challenges ahead and the opportunities to resist through representation.

Panel 3: Uniting Behind Queer Youth in the Public Education Space

As public schools across Florida face an onslaught of political attacks targeting LGBTQ+ students, it’s more important than ever for our communities to unite in defense of queer youth. This timely panel brings together local education leaders from across the state who are on the frontlines of that fight. Dr. Kell Cameron, Candidate for Florida House District 65 will moderate.

Panelists:

Together, they’ll explore what it means to lead with courage and compassion in today’s hostile political climate.

Panel 4: The Problem Isn’t Us: A Conversation about Scapegoating and Solidarity

Too often, transgender Floridians are treated as political pawns. This panel shines a light on how trans people are being scapegoated—even within our own party—and why solidarity is the key to pushing back.

Moderator

  • Steph Foglia – Campaign Director, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus

Panelists

  • Kris Hernandez – Administrator, TransMasc of Tampa Bay

  • India Miller – Activist and Community Leader

  • Andrea Montanez – Activist

  • Adrian Lorenzo – Founder, TransMasc of Tampa Bay

Together, they’ll share lived experiences, strategies for coalition-building, and ways to strengthen solidarity across our movement.

Panel 5: Care Without Compromise: Mental & Medical Health for LGBTQ+ Floridians

Access to affirming health care is not optional—it’s essential. This panel brings together providers on the frontlines of LGBTQ+ mental and physical health to discuss the unique challenges our community faces and the solutions we need.

Moderator

  • Ione Townsend – Double Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner & Secretary, Florida Democratic Party

Panelists

  • Dr. B. J. Brunious – Family Physician and Chair, Santa Rosa County DEC

  • Dr. Isiah Cochran – Internal Medicine Physician and Health Policy Expert

  • Dr. Dani Rosenkrantz – Licensed Psychologist, Founder of Brave Space Psychology

  • Dr. Marlene Bloom – Licensed Psychologist, known as “The Resistance Psychologist”

These experts will explore both medical and mental health perspectives, highlighting how Florida can build systems of care that serve everyone with dignity.

Guest Speakers

We are proud to welcome an incredible lineup of speakers to the 2025 Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Summer Conference. These leaders bring diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to equality, democracy, and justice for all Floridians.

  • Jeremy Comeau – President, National Federation of Stonewall Democrats

  • Fentrice Driskell – Democratic Leader, Florida House of Representatives

  • Michele Rayner – State Representative, District 62

  • Amanda Timpson – Founder, Yesterqueers

This is just the beginning. Additional speakers will be announced in the weeks leading up to the conference—stay tuned for updates.

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