Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Launches Florida Victory; Gun Violence Prevention Ads Support LGBT Candidates

Ad buy aims to increase number of LGBT state representatives

Washington, DC - November 1, 2016 – Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund launched its $75,000 Florida Victory campaign with a digital ad buy in five Florida state legislative races with LGBT candidates. The ads highlight their support for gun violence prevention measures, as well as their opponents' votes or support for undermining Florida's already weak gun laws. The effort comes as Floridians call for common-sense reform in the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre – the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history – and LGBT advocates increasingly consider gun safety an LGBT rights issue.

"Our Florida candidates support gun safety measures that can prevent another Pulse-like shooting, while their opponents adopt whatever position the gun lobby tells them to," said Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's Aisha C. Moodie-Mills. "Tallahassee continues to fail Floridians by refusing to take on the gun lobby and pass common-sense gun violence prevention measures. Voters deserve to know where candidates stand on this critical issue, and our Florida Victory ads make those positions clear."

The Florida Victory campaign supports LGBT candidates in House Districts 47, 49, 69, 93 and 113. The ads admonish opponents for "A" ratings from the NRA, or supporting legislation that allows students to carry guns on campuses. They include video pre-rolls, social media ads and digital banners, and will run until election day.

The unprecedented number of LGBT candidates running for the Florida state legislature this cycle are united in their support for gun violence prevention measures. If elected, these leaders will quintuple the number of LGBT lawmakers in the state House come January – a historic increase in a state designated low-equality for LGBT people. These new leaders could significantly influence debates and legislation on gun violence and LGBT equality in the state.

The ads can be viewed online.