I asked Shawn Williams, the Democratic candidate for Florida’s HD78, about what drew him to run for office. He told me a little about himself.
I grew up gay in a ruby-red district. I was bullied in high school and thought I wouldn’t graduate. However I did graduate high school and was a first generation college graduate. I moved back to my hometown and today there are 14 LGBTQ+ Democrats running for the Florida House of Representatives!
In 1999 Shawn Williams was the CFO of 23 companies. He was also a closeted gay man and fearful that his employer or anyone else would find out he was gay. In 2002 he started his own CPA firm so he wouldn’t have to worry about being fired simply because of who he was or who he loved. He knew though that many others were still in the situation he had been in.
Then, on June 15th 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that a person is protected by title VII (sex discrimination) no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, from being fired for who they are or who they love!!
Shawn Williams believes in the equal rights, inclusion and protection of all people regardless of race, gender (sex) and gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socio economic status, disability, etc. and condemns all forms of discrimination and hatred. He is strong on issues across the board!