We echo the sentiments of our chartering organization, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, in applauding Judge John Cooper of Leon County’s Second Judicial Circuit ruling against the ban on mask mandates by Governor DeSantis. As Judge Cooper noted, our State Constitution states that local school boards have been elected, in part, to keep our students, teachers, and faculty in a safe environment. Despite threats by DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to cut their funding, many of those boards, including the Hillsborough County School Board, have voted to enact mask mandates after hearing from local healthcare leaders about the Covid-19 situation.

We especially thank Hillsborough County School Board Members Nadia Combs, Jessica Vaughn, Henry “Shake” Washington, Karen Perez, and Lynn Gray for their leadership in passing a mask mandate last week!

If you haven’t already, please get fully vaccinated and continue to mask up!