The Palm Beach County School Board followed through with their promise from last month’s meeting: the resolution proclaiming October as LGBT History Month passed with a 5-0 vote from the board, no discussion among the board members, and little pushback from public comment.
After the Miami-Dade School Board voted against recognizing LGBT History Month in October while the Broward School Board voted for it, it was a tossup how South Florida’s northernmost county would decide at their Sept. 13 meeting.
Last week, Palm Beach County schools modified their new policy to allow for books prohibited by the “Don’t Say Gay” laws to be held in school libraries. This comes after State Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, shared in August that the “Don’t Say Gay” laws do not apply to books in school libraries. Moody stated that the bills specifically refer to classroom instruction and therefore do not apply to library content.
Rohi’s Readery, a bookstore located in the Square in downtown West Palm Beach, was the subject of a TikTok video from a conservative TikToker in July. Since the incident, the store has received support nationally from activists and popular TikTokers from across the country rallied to the store’s defense, and the TikToker’s platform has been irrevocably damaged.
The first high school in Florida named after a gay man, Dr. Joaquín García High School, opened its doors last week for the first time. With over 1,600 students in attendance, this school stands among a handful of schools nationwide named in honor of LGBTQ people.
Florida trends almost daily for their negative news reports. In 2023, it's refreshing to see organizations like Palm Beach County Human Rights Council concentrate on bringing positive news to the forefront. PBCHRC recently announced the recipients of the 2023 Social Justice Award, the Norman L. Stern and August R. Venezio Scholarship, and the W. Rent Steele Legal Advocacy Award.
The Box Gallery in West Palm Beach has moved to a new location. Owner, artist and curator Rolando Chang Barrero has gathered diverse pieces of art from multiple LGBTQ artists to showcase at the Grand Opening on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. The exhibit, entitled “Florida! See it Like a Native,” was curated by a panel of local judges.
In Florida Atlantic University’s search for a new president, it was who didn’t make the cut that generated the most headlines.
Pride on the Block took place in West Palm Beach June 3 was organized by Transpire Help, a local non-profit focused on LGBTQ folks who are battling addiction.
Out South Florida is expanding into Delray Beach with 25 distribution locations throughout downtown, including in front of City Hall.
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