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Emerald Coast Equality Responds
One out of five readers wanted to know how the purge of LGBTQ+ continues at the University of West Florida. The administration, possibly with the help of Trustee Adam Kissel, is tempting to quietly redefine sexual harassment in the student code of conduct, deleting any reference to unwelcomed conduct based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Last night, Emerald Coast Equality sent this message to its members:
UWF is quietly trying to remove protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression from its Student Code of Conduct without a public meeting.
The code changes WERE to be discussed during the Student Affairs Committee meeting on August 14, but the meeting was CANCELED the day before. The changes are now proposed WITHOUT holding a public meeting.
The University may then solicit additional written comments, schedule a public hearing, withdraw or modify the proposal, in whole or in part. Or the University may proceed with adopting the amendment.
Please submit your comments. This is part of a much bigger discriminatory anti-DEI, anti LGBTQ+ agenda that creates an unsafe environment for our community.
The story about the termination of UWF Office of Culture & Access Senior Manager Aurora Osborn, a well-respected member of the LGBTQ+ community, continues to gain traction.
The post about the Idaho man who helped develop Gov. DeSantis’ higher education overhaul has attracted readers statewide. Many weren’t quite sure what Yenor actually did or how long he stayed in Tallahassee. DeSantis rewarded him by appointing the Boise State professor to the UWF Board of Trustees, understanding that the new trustees would make him board chair. Fortunately, State Sen. Don Gaetz intervened, and Yenor resigned to avoid a confirmation hearing before Gaetz’s committee.
We interviewed Celeste Brown, Veo’s policy and partnerships manager, and learned that they want a two-month extension to build a case to keep their scooters in Pensacola. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves quickly responded and was unmoved by their plea.
Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”
