Dolphin Democrats

Dolphin Democrats
AbbreviationDolphin Dems
Formation1982; 44 years ago (1982)
TypePolitical action committee, political club, caucus
HeadquartersWilton Manors, Florida, U.S.
Region served
South Florida
Members~400 (2024)
Key people
Alfredo Olvera, President
AffiliationsFlorida Democratic Party, Stonewall Democrats
WebsiteDolphinDems.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. The caucus operates as a chartered affiliate of the Florida Democratic Party and the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus.

History

The Dolphin Democrats were established in 1982 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to promote LGBTQ rights and elect pro-LGBTQ Democratic candidates. The organization is a licensed chapter of the Stonewall Democrats. Members and leaders of the Dolphin Democrats have served as delegates to the Democratic National Convention. According to the Sun Sentinel, the "group has become so influential that its political influence is now coveted by straight politicians."

The Dolphin Democrats host an annual gala dinner and presented the "Harvey Milk Leadership Award" to Carlos Smith in 2023. They host their monthly meeting at The Pride Center at Equality Park.

In June 2026, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke at the annual Dolphin Democrats Pride Month gala.

Leadership

The Dolphin Democrats function as a membership-based political club governed by an elected Board of Directors. The organization operates under bylaws sanctioned by the Florida Democratic Party. As of 2026, the president of the Dolphin Democrats is Alfredo Olvera, an Ecuadorian American immigrant and activist.

Olvera with former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick at a Dolphin Democrats Town Hall in May 2025.

Sabrina Javellana, a notable victim of deepfake pornography, served as president of the Dolphin Democrats from October 2023 to February 2024, following the resignation of Todd Delmay.

Political activity

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. The organization operates a political action committee (PAC) through which it disburses campaign contributions. The Dolphin Dems endorsed Gregory Tony for sheriff of Broward County in 2024. The organization endorsed Jared Moskowitz, Shevrin Jones, and Pia Dandiya for U.S. Congress in 2026. They endorsed Lauren Book for the 30th district of the Florida Senate in 2026.

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.

Notable members

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Join or Renew Your 2024 Membership". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". The Pride Center at Equality Park. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Dolphin Democrats to honor Christine Hunschofsky at 42nd annual gala in Fort Lauderdale". Florida Politics. May 4, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Man, Anthony (July 14, 2026). "Florida LGBTQ+ Democrats snub longtime allies Wasserman Schultz and Frankel". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  5. 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.
  6. ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". Stonewall Democrats. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Levitt, Ron (April 8, 2008). "Florida Moves Ahead Despite DNC Threat". HuffPost. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith". flsenate.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Countywide Clubs and Caucuses". browarddemocrats.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ @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).
  11. ↑ "Dolphin Democrats, Inc". sunbiz.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Board". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Freedom from arbitrary detention is a fundamental right in America". Orlando Sentinel. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen (February 9, 2022). "Florida bill on revenge porn sparks emotional debate". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ Hayden, John (September 20, 2023). "Dolphin Dems Name New President". Out South Florida. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Endorsements by Dolphin Democrats". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 "Endorsements". dolphindems.org. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Dolphin Dems PC". Florida Department of State. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Dolphin Democrats". Transparency International. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  22. ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (July 22, 2026). "Lauren Book notches endorsements from 4 LGBTQ+ organizations in SD 30 bid". Florida Politics. Retrieved September 1, 2026.