Blog: Summer 2024 Fellowship

Blog: Summer 2024 Fellowship

Equality Florida, Florida's largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, hired its cohort of fellows for the Summer 2024 Fellowship Program! From across the state, our diverse cohort includes people from various backgrounds, ages, sexualities, gender identities, and ethnicities. At Equality Florida, our mission is to cultivate our fellows to become leaders in the community.

This summer, our fellows will play a crucial role in supporting Community Organizers at Pride events across the state. They will assist in engaging new volunteers, spreading our message about the stakes of Election Day, conversing with community members about the importance of supporting Yes on 4 to limit government interference in abortion in Florida, and advocating for breaking the conservative supermajority in the Florida House. Following Pride Month, our fellows will continue their efforts by helping to execute our Days of Action program. This program entails canvassing and phone banking to connect with prospective voters and promote our endorsed candidates and Equality Champions in races from school board seats to state legislators.

Field and Community Organizing

Carys M. Mullins (She/They), Senior Fellow - Tampa, FL

Carys Mullins is a social media manager, independent film director, blogger, and activist residing in the Tampa Bay Area. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ mental health equality, musicals, and learning new languages. They are very excited to support Equality Florida as a Senior Field and Advocacy Fellow!

Samira Burnside (She/Her), Senior Fellow - Brandon, FL

Samira Burnside (she/her) is a 17 year old senior from Brandon, Florida. She has spoken at protests for trans rights all the way in Washington D.C, and helped organize them, but she finds her most important work is done at home, in Florida. When she's not working to secure trans rights through organizing, she enjoys writing for her journalistic publication, The Queer Notion. The Queer Notion was founded to give queer and trans people who were often overlooked by the media a voice of their own. She is so excited to be part of Equality Florida's Fellowship Program as a Senior Fellow.

Kevin Duarte (He/Him) - Orlando, FL

Kevin Duarte is a native floridian born here in orlando and is a graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelors in political science. His interest in politics comes from his desire to help others in their situations. His experiences with local elected officials, the legislative process, the campaign process and now independent organizations shows that making meaningful change can be achieved in multiple ways, but knows that these systems together with people coming together can help achieve change faster.

Parker Keaton (Any/All) - Tallahassee, FL

Parker Keaton is a senior pre-law student at Florida State University. This is their second semester as a fellow with Equality Florida.

Luna Cassandra (She/They) - Tallahassee, FL

My name is Luna, and I am a college student pursuing a degree in Human Services. I have a long history of non-profit work and am looking to use my degree to help fight for equality and social justice. I have been a supporter of Equality Florida for many years, and I am honored to be able to join their fight for equality in my home state.

Sofia Llorca (She/Her) - Miramar, FL

My name is Sofia Llorca, I am 24 years old and have lived my life in South Florida. I found a passion for Political Science and Human Rights issues when I realized I was a Lesbian. During my spare time I enjoy reading, playing video games, or enjoying some type of outdoor activity. I am looking forward to this experience!

Charlie Croy (They/Them) - Jacksonville

Charlie is a Jacksonville-based fellow and a passionate LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, often described by others as a “walking pride flag.” They were elected President of their university’s LGBTQIA+ student organization and have continued education and advocacy for queer and trans communities since graduating with a journalism degree. In their free time, Charlie enjoys a number of creative pursuits, including writing, painting, building cosplay, learning any instrument they can get their hands on, and running their queer craft business with their partners.

Rio Hevia Silveira (They/Them) - Miami, FL

Originally born in Chile, I have always seen injustices surrounding the civil rights of oppressed groups; after moving to the United States, I decided to do something about this matter. Motivated by the need to make a change in my community and to uplift the voices of minorities, I have been doing non-profit work over the past few years. As a student at Miami Dade College, I am deeply involved in community organizing and advocacy, being the President of the Pride Club and the Vice President of Model UN.

Larissa Nichols (She/Her) - Gainesville, FL

Larissa is a senior at the University of Florida studying sociology. This is her first semester with Equality Florida as a field and community organizing fellow. She is passionate about social change and fighting for equality for all.

Development

Lennox Mark (He/Him) Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL

Lennox is a recent graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he earned a Master of Law in Taxation. Prior to that, Lennox practiced law at a global law firm in Chicago. Lennox is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights and equality; in law school he twice chaired the Midwest LGBTQ Rights Conference and served as co-president of OUTLaw. Before law school, Lennox worked in nonprofit development for four years building revenue for charitable missions including Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis and the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

Election Fellows

Sylvia Weber (They/She) Tallahassee, FL

Sylvia Weber, a South Florida native, is a passionate political organizer and undergraduate at Florida State University, where they are majoring in Political Science and Human Rights. With prior experience at Equality Florida, Sylvia is committed to advocating for pro-LGBTQ+ candidates and fostering equitable change in their home state. In their spare time, Sylvia enjoys hiking, solving puzzles, and volunteering at a local animal shelter.

Matthew Grocholske (They/he)- Winter Park, FL

Matthew Grocholske is a full-time student organizer that has testified numerous times before school boards, the state legislature, and other boards to defend LGBTQIA+ rights. As a non-binary activist, Matthew knows firsthand the injustices that Floridians currently face. Outside of Equality Florida, Matthew fights alongside the Sunrise Movement Orlando, Men4Choice, and many other organizations. In their free time, Matthew enjoys watching movies, going to concerts, and traveling!