GSA in Tampa, FL

GSA looks forward to welcoming attendees to its 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa this November. The Society continues to monitor disturbing discriminatory legislation enacted in Florida and harmful policies promulgated by the state government.

GSA is implementing many activities in response to these developments to use the collective weight of our Society to raise awareness of these issues and their effects across the life course.

1. The GSA Rainbow Research Group Interest Group encouraged individuals to submit abstracts related to LGBTQIA+ research. These abstracts are in peer-review and individuals will be notified in June regarding acceptance. 
2. Both the Rainbow Research Group Interest Group and Minority Issues in Gerontology Advisory Panel are conducting symposia at the Annual Scientific Meeting.
3. GSA has implemented a late-breaking paper submission process (opens July 14) for the Annual Scientific Meeting with the invited theme of “Effects of Discrimination Across the Life Course.” This offering is in addition to the late breaking poster abstract process. 
4. GSA has written to Florida Governor DeSantis expressing its contempt for discriminatory legislative and policy measures he has championed: see letters. 
5. GSA has joined 19 other professional societies in a statement reaffirming our commitment to supporting DEIA initiatives and opposing interventions to censor the teaching of science or limit academic freedom. 
6. GSA has written to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor applauding her for leading the pack in making it a city that welcomes DEIA. The city of Tampa has earned a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) in 2022. This index demonstrates the ways that cities support the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there, even where states and the federal government have failed to do so. 
7. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, one of a few openly gay mayors of a major city, has been invited to address the GSA Opening Plenary Session. 
8. GSA Annual Scientific Meeting registrants can select their preferred pronouns for inclusion on name badges.
9. GSA has created a new ribbon, LGBTQIA+ ally, that attendees can add to their name badge to demonstrate their support. 
10. GSA has published a list of LGBTQIA+ and minority owned businesses and restaurants in Tampa and encourages meeting attendees to support them.
11. GSA has donated to a local LGBTQ organization, Equality Florida and the Urban League of Hillsborough County. Please consider providing your support to a local Tampa LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization.
12. GSA has a link to minority nonprofit organizations to support in Hillsborough County.
13. GSA has enacted a new Board-approved policy on selecting future meeting locations that align with GSA core values and the Society’s commitment to DEIA and belonging: GSA Site Selection Policy.