[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1057-E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MICHAEL FARMER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Michael 
Farmer.
  Michael Farmer began his advocacy at the young age of 17. He and a 
group of friends started a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at Apopka High 
School, a conservative part of Central Florida. While attending 
Valencia Community College, Michael served as the Valencia College 
Campus Organizer for the Fairness For All Families (FFAF) Campaign. 
This campaign aimed to defeat a constitutional amendment to ban 
marriage equality and civil unions in Florida. He went on to serve as 
the Orlando Area Field Organizer for FFAF.
  In 2009, Michael joined the staff of Equality Florida (EQFL) as the 
organization's Safe Schools Policy and GSA Network Coordinator. As 
Equality Florida's GSA Network Coordinator, Michael trained hundreds of 
students and teachers across the state on best practices for making 
schools safe for LGBT youth.
  From 2010 to 2012, Michael served as EQFL's Statewide Field 
Coordinator. In this role, Michael helped to increase the 
organization's pro-equality voter file by more than 20,000 voters. 
Additionally, he raised EQFL's profile at community events and 
mobilized members and pro-equality voters to support pro-equality and 
openly LGBT candidates.
  In 2013, Michael transitioned into the role of Statewide Field 
Director. As Statewide Field Director, Michael led EQFL's field staff 
on programs related to voter education and mobilization, and increased 
EQFL's member engagement.
  Currently, Michael serves as Equality Florida's Director of 
Development for Central and North Florida. In this capacity, he leads 
EQFL's development programs and staff in Orlando, Sarasota, 
Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Since 2012, Michael and his teams across 
the state have raised over one million dollars in the pursuit of LGBT 
equality in Florida.
  Through his work at Equality Florida, Michael has been able to play a 
leadership role in changing the policy landscape for the LGBT community 
in Florida. Michael also played an

[[Page E1058]]

integral role in the passage of Domestic Partner Registries in both the 
City of Orlando and Orange County. These registries provide critical 
protections for unmarried couples in times of emergency. To date, more 
than 1,000 couples have registered. Michael helped pass Orange County's 
Human Rights Ordinance, which bans discrimination against the LGBT 
community in housing, public accommodations, and the workplace. He also 
contributed to the passage of Orange County's Domestic Partner Benefits 
for county workers, which allow the spouses of county workers to access 
important health benefits. Additionally, he helped spearhead the 
passage of Domestic Partner Benefits and a Nondiscrimination Policy at 
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS)--the nation's ninth largest school 
district. These policies provide important healthcare benefits to the 
spouses of OCPS teachers and protect LGBT teachers and students from 
discrimination.
  In 2012, The Advocate nominated Michael as one of ``40 under 40'' 
activists in the nation. He regularly represents Equality Florida's 
initiatives and programs on local TV and print media, and is a member 
of the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee.
  Michael is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and holds 
a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a concentration on 
American Politics and Public Policy.
  I am happy to honor Michael Farmer, during LGBT Pride Month, for his 
work to secure equality for LGBT individuals in Central Florida and 
throughout the state of Florida.

                          ____________________