Nadine Smith (born August 27, 1965) is an LGBT activist and has been the executive director of Equality Florida since its inception in 1997 and serves as a legislative lobbyist, living in Tallahassee during session. In 1986, Smith served on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Organization. Smith has been recognized as a national leader by organizations including: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights Task Force of Florida, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum. A former journalist, Smith has written syndicated columns for various gay and mainstream publications. Smith was an award-winning investigative journalist for WUSF, the National Public Radio affiliate in Tampa, and later became a reporter for the Tampa Tribune. Smith also freelanced for national and local publications.

Early life and education

Smith was born in Bangor, Maine but her family relocated to Panama City, Florida when she was young. She graduated from Rutherford High School. After graduating high school, Smith attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Panama City. She later left after the passage of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 1993. Smith graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communication in 1987.

Career

Smith was the first openly lesbian African-American to run for Tampa City Council, earning the most votes in the primary and garnering 42% in the run-off in 1991. In 1993, Smith was part of the historic oval office meeting between then-incumbent President of the United States Bill Clinton and LGBT social movements leaders. Smith was co-chair of the 1993 March on Washington, coordinating national and international media. Smith served as campaign manager for Citizens for a Fair Tampa in 1995, a successful effort to prevent the repeal of the city's human rights ordinance, which included sexual orientation. Smith served on the Board for Fairness for All Families from 2006-2009, a grassroots effort to protect LGBT families in the face of a ballot measure that banned recognition of marriage between same sex couples. The measure which passed with approx 62% of the vote also banned protection that are "substantial equivalent of marriage". In 2007, Smith was arrested at a Largo City Council hearing after handing someone a flier that had the words "Don't Discriminate" printed on it. The council was debating whether or not to fire Susan Stanton, the transgender city manager.

Awards and honors

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