Florida’s LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is hosting its 2026 Summer Conference this weekend in Orlando, bringing together candidates, elected officials, activists and party organizers from across the state for three days of speeches, policy panels and grassroots organizing.

The event, which runs Friday through Sunday at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, will feature a keynote address from Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, along with remarks from a passel of Democrats running statewide and nationally.

Discussion sessions will focus on healthcare access, transgender advocacy and building political power amid Florida’s increasingly restrictive laws on reproductive and gender-affirming care.

Friday evening features a welcome reception from 7 to 9 p.m., while Saturday’s programming begins at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast and runs through an evening dinner at 7 p.m., with ample happenings in between. Then Sunday morning concludes the conference with a canvassing operation for House District 43 candidate Samuel Vilchez Santiago.

The speaker lineup is headlined by Kenyatta, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and an LGBTQ+ trailblazer. In 2018, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Four years later, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to seek a U.S. Senate seat.

And in April 2024, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person ever nominated for statewide office by a major political party in Pennsylvania, earning nearly 3.1 million votes in the General Election.

Other speakers and panelists include, but aren’t limited to:

— U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Jared Moskowitz.

— Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and state Rep. Dotie Joseph, who are running for Governor.

— Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo and veteran-turned-federal tax abuse prosecutor Earle Ford, who are running for CFO.

— State Rep. Angie Nixon and retired U.S. Army lieutenant and former National Security Council bigwig-turned-federal whistleblower Alex Vindman, who are running for U.S. Senate.

— House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell and state Rep. Michele Rayner, who are running for Senate District 14.

— State Sens. Kristen Arrington and Shevrin Jones, the latter of whom made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ Black state lawmaker.

— Democratic Black Caucus of Florida President Armando Grundy-Gomes.

— Former Miss America Ericka Dunlap, who made history as the first Black woman crowned Miss Florida in 2003.

— Florida Democratic Party First Vice Chair Daniel Henry.

Reception special guests include state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the first openly LGBTQ+ Latino elected to the Legislature; Reps. Rita Harris and Anna Eskamani, the latter of whom is running for Orlando Mayor; Orange Democratic Party Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago; and Hope Community Center Executive Director Felipe Sousa Lazaballet, who is running for House District 42 in Orange County.

Policy panels include sessions on understanding Florida’s new anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law, LGBTQ+ healthcare in Florida, building power in hostile environments, and fighting for trans lives and futures.

The caucus is convening as LGBTQ+ rights have eroded in the Sunshine State in recent years.

In 2022, the GOP-dominated Legislature passed HB 1557, derided by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” which banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 and restricted age-appropriate discussion in higher grades.

A year later, the Legislature expanded those restrictions to all grade levels and passed SB 254, which banned gender-affirming care for minors and restricted access for adults, making Florida the first state to impose restrictions on transgender adult healthcare.

This year, lawmakers approved other measures like SB 1134, which bans local government diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

While talks will be policy-heavy, the event’s organizers promise programming will be accessible and inclusive.

“Whether you’re an experienced organizer, a first-time attendee, an elected official, or simply passionate about building a stronger Florida,” a promotional message for the event says, “there’s something here for you.”

Ticket sales for the event appear to be paused. For more information, click here.