With just 16 days until the election, every moment of a candidate’s time must be well spent. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell believes time with South Florida’s LGBTQ community is time well spent.

“The issue is to protect everyone’s rights and make sure that we put a stop to the extreme attacks, particularly against the LGBTQ+ community,” she said shortly before addressing the crowd.

Her campaign bus was parked along Wilton Drive, outside the Get Out The Vote Center, which is housed inside Tropics. The room was packed with supporters holding signs and chanting “D-M-P.”

“It’s a community that has always stood up for justice, for democracy, for freedom. It’s a community that’s been organizing for a long time.”

Mucarsel-Powell said LGBTQ rights are at the top of her agenda. “When I get to the senate, I want to ensure that we protect your rights, pass the Equality Act and know you have an ally in the senate working for you.”

It’s not uncommon for Democratic candidates to embrace equal rights for LGBTQ, but she has a very special connection.

“The attacks against the LGBTQ+ community are very personal to [my family] and hit close to home.”

During her speech, she shared that she has a trans male godchild. “He is one of the most courageous individuals I’ve ever met. They could have chosen to stay in California after graduating college. But they chose to come here and stand next to me to fight for respect, dignity, and equality.”

Mucarsel-Powell is running against incumbent Rick Scott, who has won three statewide elections by very narrow margins. However, since his election to the senate in 2018, Florida voters have moved further to the right.