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Florida NOW Issues Urgent Travel Advisory for Pregnant Individuals Following Near-Total Abortion Ban in Florida

Florida – The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) advised pregnant individuals to avoid travel and relocation to Florida due to the enactment of a near total ban on abortion. The ban prohibits abortions from the earliest weeks of pregnancy, when many people don’t even know they are pregnant. Florida’s six-week abortion ban raises significant concerns regarding the availability of essential healthcare services for pregnant individuals with both wanted and unwanted pregnancies.

For pregnant individuals unable to avoid Florida, Florida NOW advises pregnant individual to know their options:

  • ChatWithCharley.org/florida offers the latest resources and a confidential chatbot to walk through your options and INeedAnA.com is reliable for finding a legitimate abortion provider as well as the closest and soonest appointment.
  • For financial or logistical assistance to access an abortion check out AbortionFunds.org. People in all 50 states are accessing abortion pills by mail through resources they find at PlanCPills.org.

This advisory serves as a reminder of the critical importance of reproductive rights and healthcare access for pregnant individuals. It is imperative that all individuals have the ability to make informed decisions about their own bodies and access the care they need, regardless of geographic location or legislative barriers.

“Florida NOW will not stop fighting for Reproductive Freedom. We urge all Floridians to renew their vote by mail registration and vote Yes on 4 in November to restore abortion access and get politicians out of our personal medical decisions.” Florida NOW President Debbie DeLand.

For further information please contact:

Debbie Deland President@flnow.org 407-234-6408

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About Florida NOW: Florida NOW – https://flnow.org – is a grassroots feminist organization dedicated to promoting women’s rights and advancing gender equality across the state. With a legacy of advocacy and activism, we remain committed to defending reproductive rights and supporting individuals in accessing essential healthcare services.

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Florida National Organization for Women Condemns Decision Not to Prosecute Former Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler for Sexual Battery

Florida — The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) strongly condemns the decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office not to prosecute former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler for the alleged sexual battery and videotaping of a woman in her Sarasota apartment. This decision sends a troubling message about accountability for sexual violence and the protection of survivors.

Neurobiology of trauma informs us of how the brain and body respond to trauma and help us understand the various ways that survivors of sexual trauma react. It is critical that this science is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors.

The decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office, as outlined in their three-page memo, raises serious concerns. While acknowledging the victim’s substantial intoxication and trauma, the memo fails to fully consider the impact of trauma on memory and the complexities of sexual violence cases.

It is deeply troubling that the decision not to prosecute was based on the victim’s inconsistencies in recalling key details of the event, as well as her expressed inability to recall whether she consented to recording the sexual activity. These inconsistencies are not uncommon in cases of sexual violence and should not be used to discredit the survivor’s account.

Trauma creates disruption in the limbic system of the brain which stores emotional responses to experiences. The amygdala is the “fear center” of the brain. Trauma response & memory is stored in amygdala. This is the reason that individuals commonly have a lot of emotions when recalling traumatic experiences. When the amygdala is activated during a traumatic experience, it interferes with the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved with recall of memory, particularly long-term memory. This means that when someone is having a traumatic response or trying to recall memories of a traumatic event, they may not be able to recall details of the event or their recall of the event may not be chronological or linear, which is called fragmented memory. Fragmented memory is a completely natural way of processing traumatic events. (1)

Furthermore, the memo acknowledges that the victim had no financial, political, or malicious personal motivation to report the incident, yet fails to adequately address the power dynamics at play in cases involving high-profile individuals like Christian Ziegler.

The Florida National Organization for Women stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and calls for a thorough review of the decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler. We urge the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office to prioritize the safety and well-being of survivors and to ensure that justice is served in this case.

From Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus: “As a survivor of sexual assault unable to recall details of the assault, I know firsthand the challenges that survivors face in recalling traumatic events. Trauma disrupts the limbic system of the brain, affecting memory processing and recall. It is crucial that the neurobiology of trauma is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors. The decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler, based on inconsistencies in the victim’s recall, is deeply troubling and underscores the need for greater sensitivity and understanding in cases of sexual violence. In 2021, the state passed legislation requiring trauma informed investigation training for all law enforcement officers in Florida. However, it seems State Attorneys do not yet have that same level of training, and that is a problem for the safety of Floridians.”

For media inquiries, please contact Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus at 772.267.6353.

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About Florida National Organization for Women (NOW):
The Florida National Organization for Women is Florida’s most historic non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of women and girls for over 50 years.

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Florida National Organization for Women Demands Justice for John Walter Lay, Victim of Anti-LGBTQ+ Violence

Tampa, FL – The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) expresses profound sorrow and outrage at the tragic death of John Walter Lay, a beloved member of the LGBTQ+ community, who was fatally shot last week at the West Dog Park in Tampa. Lay’s untimely demise serves as a distressing reminder of the profound violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in our society, exacerbated by hateful rhetoric and discriminatory policies perpetuated by extremist factions within our legislature and Governor’s office.

According to reports, Lay was subjected to months of harassment and threats, culminating in his untimely death. Despite compelling evidence of targeted harassment and intimidation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has yet to arrest or charge the shooter, Gerald Declan Radford. This lack of swift action is deeply troubling and sends a chilling message to LGBTQ+ individuals that their lives are not valued equally.

Debbie DeLand, President of Florida NOW, issued the following statement:
“The tragic death of John Walter Lay at the West Dog Park is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers LGBTQ+ individuals still face in our communities. The lack of swift action from authorities to bring charges against Gerald Declan Radford, the shooter, is deeply concerning. We demand that the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office expedite their investigation and ensure justice is served for Lay and his loved ones. No one should fear for their safety or face violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. We demand accountability and justice in this senseless tragedy which was clearly motivated by hate.”

Florida NOW calls on the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office to thoroughly investigate Lay’s death and prosecute Radford to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, Florida NOW calls for the elected officials in Florida who have been acting to strip away the rights and autonomy of LGBTQ+ Floridians to do better, to stop inflaming hate and emboldening violence in our state.

In honor of John Walter Lay’s memory, Florida NOW reaffirms its commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and working towards a society where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and equality under the law.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Florida NOW President Debbie DeLand directly at (407) 234-6408.

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Florida NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women, girls, and non-binary people in all aspects of social, political, and economic life. Our six priority issues are LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Racial Justice, Freedom From Violence, Economic Equality, and Constitutional Equality.