ACLU of Florida

Issues and Cases

Issues the ACLU of Florida focuses on include criminal justice policy, free speech, “gender equity and reproductive freedom,” “immigrants’ justice,” “LGBTQ+ rights,” police practices, privacy, “racial justice,” religious liberty, student and youth rights, and voting rights. ²

The ACLU of Florida has participated in several lawsuits advancing left-wing causes, including challenges to restrictions on discussions of race and gender in education, transgender healthcare access, and free speech protections for racial justice advocates. ³

In Pernell v. Florida Board of Governors filed August 2022, the ACLU of Florida joined educators and students in suing over Florida’s “Stop W.O.K.E. Act.” The suit claimed the law violates First Amendment rights by censoring academic discourse on “social justice” topics. ^{4  5}

Keohane v. Dixon filed December 2024 contested the Florida Department of Corrections’ revocation of hormone therapy and pro-transgender policies for inmates claiming gender dysphoria. ^{6  7}

In Tray v. Florida State Board of Education filed June 2025, parents represented by the ACLU challenged HB 1069’s restrictions on school library books and curricula addressing sexual orientation and gender identity, alleging First Amendment infringements. ^{8  9}

Florida Bar v. Girley filed April 2025 defended an attorney sanctioned for criticisms broadcast on the radio about a judge’s reversal of a racial discrimination verdict, positioning the case as a safeguard for speech on judicial bias in civil rights matters. ^{10  11  3}

The ACLU of Florida supported the pro-abortion state ballot initiative Amendment 4, which would have permitted abortions up to around 24 weeks without restrictions, and beyond that if deemed necessary by a healthcare provider. The group partnered with the pro-abortion Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) campaign, filing lawsuits to challenge state opposition to the measure. ^{12  13  14}

On immigration, the organization supports policies opposing mass detention and deportation, condemning state laws that increase penalties for illegal immigrants and divert funds to enforcement. ^{15  16}

Financials

In 2024, the ACLU of Florida reported revenues of $3,253,276. Contributions accounted for $2,921,499, or 89.8 percent of total revenue. Investment income added $331,772, or 10.2 percent. Expenses reached $2,826,262, yielding a net income of $427,014. Notable expenses included other salaries and wages of $1,141,885, or 40.4 percent of total expenses. Total assets stood at $9,669,360, with liabilities of $605,661, resulting in net assets of $9,063,699. ¹⁷

People

Tiffani Lennon is the executive director of the ACLU of Florida. She was appointed in September 2022 and brought a background in civil rights advocacy from roles like leading the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP). ¹⁸

In May 2024, Bacardi Jackson was named executive director of the ACLU of Florida. With over 25 years as a trial attorney, she previously directed advocacy at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and practiced law at firms including King and Spalding. She holds degrees from Stanford University and Yale University. ^{19  20}