The fight to save HIV treatment funding in Florida was hard, and it isn’t over yet. But for one night, the activists who fight for LGBTQ rights could take a night to relax and celebrate victories.
On April 6, Equality Florida gathered at Gray Box Theater in Wilton Manors to honor Michael Rajner, a longtime activist and HIV survivor, for his role in saving ADAP, or AIDS Drugs Assistant Program.
“We were completely blindsided,” he said of how he learned of impending cuts that would leave thousands of HIV+ patients without their lifesaving medication.
Rajner was already packing to go to Tallahassee to lobby on another issue. He didn’t think he’d be up there for months, but just in case, he brought along his dog.
“We had to completely pivot. It put my entire life on hold. It’s really overwhelming.”
He called legislators of both parties. Showed up to committee hearings. Talked with anyone who would listen and even some that wouldn’t. It became clear his cause had bipartisan support. Many Republicans were shocked at the way it was handled (a low-key memo from the health department) and that they weren’t briefed.
Others know people know positive patients and didn’t want to treat HIV/AIDS funding like yet another political football.
Rajner had help. Equality Florida, the state’s leading LGBTQ lobbying organization, brought tens of thousands to Tallahassee to pack committee hearings and send hundreds of thousands of emails to support ADAP and fight other anti-LGBTQ measures.
The ADAP measure only received funding through June. Rajner and Equality Florida will be back in Tallahassee for the fight. Everyone in the room knows securing LGBTQ rights will continue to be an uphill battle.
“They are out to get us,” Our Fund CEO David Jobin said.
But on this night it was important to celebrate the wins.
“This feels like a chance for us to exhale tonight. We don’t get a lot of opportunities as LGBTQ folks and allies to celebrate these days.”
Equality Florida says there were five anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this session, and they helped kill four. The fifth, which vaguely tries to ban local governments from instituting any DEI policy, passed, but Equality Florida says they were able to water it down.
There are plenty of fights ahead. But on this night celebration and camaraderie ruled.
