FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2019

FLORIDA LGBTA DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CALLS ON VERO BEACH-BASED PIPER AIRCRAFT TO DENOUNCE BRUNEI’S BARBARIC POLICY TO STONE LGBT PEOPLE TO DEATH

VERO BEACH FL – The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). Since the world learned that Brunei made homosexuality punishable by death from stoning, global outrage has ranged from diplomatic pressure to boycotts of Brunei-owned businesses. One company that has so far escaped scrutiny is Vero Beach-based Piper Aircraft, which is owned by the Government of Brunei.

Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement calling on Piper Aircraft CEO Simon Caldecott to break the company’s silence:

“News of Brunei’s new policy to stone LGBT people to death has been met by an unfortunate silence from Piper Aircraft, which is based in Vero Beach. There’s no question that this law is barbaric, and it’s past time for Piper Aircraft to speak out publicly against what Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has called a ‘great achievement.’ Remaining silent on these vile human rights violations is a tacit endorsement. Piper’s LGBT customers, employees and partners need to hear from CEO Simon Caldecott. Now.”

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The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus is an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Democrats. The Caucus has 18 chapters across Florida, from Miami to Jacksonville to the Panhandle. More information is on our website, www.floridalgbtademocrats.org.

Gala dinner tickets are $180 each. Purchase your ticket(s) today to sit at the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus table.

Hotel rooms can booked online be booked by calling Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club at (407) 939-4686.

Leadership Blue 2019 convenes over 2,000 grassroots activists, elected officials, and major donors. The weekend is packed with trainings, meetings, and a highly anticipated Gala.

The conference and trainings are free and cover a range of important topics such as field operations, campaign finance law, and more. The gala dinner is $190 per person if you purchase your tickets  before April 15th, and $270 if you purchase your tickets after April 15th. With such a broad and talented field of Democratic candidates for the Presidential nomination, this year’s Leadership Blue program is sure to be one of the most exciting in years!

This year’s event will be held at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club in Orlando, FL from Friday, June 7th to Sunday, June 9th.

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party (FDP), elected new leadership at its Winter Conference in Jacksonville, Moving Forward Together, this past weekend.

Stephen Gaskill of Delray Beach is the new Caucus President. A veteran of Florida and national politics, Gaskill is an independent communications and political consultant counseling corporations, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and trade associations in Florida and across the country. A longtime resident of South Florida and Washington DC, he was one of the Caucus’ founding members when it was re-formed in 2004-5. Gaskill has served for many years as the organization’s Communications Director.

“Our goal is simple: to elect Democrats who support the LGBTQ community and who will enact policies that advance equality,” Gaskill said. “The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus has demonstrated that we’ll do the work, and we’ll keep preaching that inclusion, diversity and equality are what will grow Florida.”

Nik Harris of Fort Lauderdale was elected Vice President. Since 2009 she has been Assistant General Counsel with the State of Florida Department of Transportation. She has also worked for the State of Florida Department of Health and State of Florida Public Defender’s Office. Harris is also Vice President of the Dolphin Democrats, the Caucus’ Broward chapter.

Adam N. Sabin of Fort Lauderdale is the new Treasurer. Sabin is a certified public accountant who is currently a Tax Manager for Citrix Systems, Inc., where he is chiefly responsible for the company’s income tax compliance, audit management, and ad hoc special projects. Sabin is also Treasurer of the Dolphin Democrats, the Caucus’ Broward County chapter.

Dave Cutler of Tampa was reelected to a second term as Secretary. Cutler has worked in lab billing at Quest Diagnostics/Optum360 since 2015 after more than a decade in a similar role at LabCorp. Cutler is president of the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus, the Hillsborough County chapter of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus.

In addition to the elected Officers, the Caucus has a robust structure of elected Regional Directors as well as several appointed At-Large Directors charged with specific responsibilities. Leadership of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus serves for two-year terms. The election was held February 23 at the Caucus’ Winter Conference, Moving Forward Together, in Jacksonville, which featured presentations by openly gay State Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Jennifer Webb, and Shevrin Jones; State Rep. Anna Eskamani; FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo; and FDP Executive Director Juan Penalosa, among others.