Dolphin Democrats
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| Abbreviation | Dolphin Dems |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1982 |
| Type | Political action committee, political club, caucus |
| Headquarters | Wilton Manors, Florida, U.S. |
Region served | South Florida |
| Members | ~400 (2024)[1] |
Key people | Alfredo Olvera, President |
| Affiliations | Florida Democratic Party, Stonewall Democrats |
| Website | DolphinDems.org |
Dolphin Democrats (Dolphin Dems) is an American political action organization based in Broward County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1982, it is the oldest LGBTQ+ political organization in the State of Florida.[2] The caucus operates as a chartered affiliate of the Florida Democratic Party and the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus.[3][4]
History
[edit]The Dolphin Democrats were established in 1982 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to promote LGBTQ rights and elect pro-LGBTQ Democratic candidates.[5] The organization is a licensed chapter of the Stonewall Democrats.[6] Members and leaders of the Dolphin Democrats have served as delegates to the Democratic National Convention.[7] According to the Sun Sentinel, the "group has become so influential that its political influence is now coveted by straight politicians."[5]
The Dolphin Democrats host an annual gala dinner and presented the "Harvey Milk Leadership Award" to Carlos Smith in 2023.[8] They host their monthly meeting at The Pride Center at Equality Park.[9]
In June 2026, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke at the annual Dolphin Democrats Pride Month gala.[10]
Leadership
[edit]The Dolphin Democrats function as a membership-based political club governed by an elected Board of Directors.[11] The organization operates under bylaws sanctioned by the Florida Democratic Party.[9] As of 2026, the president of the Dolphin Democrats is Alfredo Olvera, an Ecuadorian American immigrant and activist.[12][13][14]
Sabrina Javellana, a notable victim of deepfake pornography,[15][16] served as president of the Dolphin Democrats from October 2023 to February 2024, following the resignation of Todd Delmay.[17]
Political activity
[edit]The Dolphin Democrats endorse Democratic Party candidates for local political offices across South Florida, including in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Monore, and Collier counties.[18][19] The organization operates a political action committee (PAC) through which it disburses campaign contributions.[20][21] The Dolphin Dems endorsed Gregory Tony for sheriff of Broward County in 2024.[19] The organization endorsed Jared Moskowitz, Shevrin Jones, and Pia Dandiya for U.S. Congress in 2026.[19] They endorsed Lauren Book for the 30th district of the Florida Senate in 2026.[22]
The Dolphin Democrats advocate against measures they deem harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act ("Don't Say Gay") and restrictions on gender-affirming care.[5]
Notable members
[edit]- Dean Trantalis, 42nd mayor of Fort Lauderdale and former Dolphin Democrats president[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Join or Renew Your 2024 Membership". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". The Pride Center at Equality Park. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin Democrats to honor Christine Hunschofsky at 42nd annual gala in Fort Lauderdale". Florida Politics. May 4, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Man, Anthony (July 14, 2026). "Florida LGBTQ+ Democrats snub longtime allies Wasserman Schultz and Frankel". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Man, Anthony (June 11, 2022). "Visibility, acceptance, influence have soared in 40 years since Broward activists founded Dolphin Democrats LGBTQ political club". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". Stonewall Democrats. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Levitt, Ron (April 8, 2008). "Florida Moves Ahead Despite DNC Threat". HuffPost. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith". flsenate.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- 1 2 "Countywide Clubs and Caucuses". browarddemocrats.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ @DWStweets (June 10, 2026). "Glad to get fired up to fight back against DeSantis and Trump's constant attack of our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors with the @DolphinDems!" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ "Dolphin Democrats, Inc". sunbiz.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Board". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Scouten, Ted (July 29, 2024). "Don't know who to vote for when it comes to judges? You are not the only one". CBS News. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Freedom from arbitrary detention is a fundamental right in America". Orlando Sentinel. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Kraft, Coralie (July 31, 2024). "Trolls Used Her Face to Make Fake Porn. There Was Nothing She Could Do". The New York Times. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen (February 9, 2022). "Florida bill on revenge porn sparks emotional debate". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Hayden, John (September 20, 2023). "Dolphin Dems Name New President". Out South Florida. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements by Dolphin Democrats". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Endorsements". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin Dems PC". Florida Department of State. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". Transparency International. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (July 22, 2026). "Lauren Book notches endorsements from 4 LGBTQ+ organizations in SD 30 bid". Florida Politics. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
