That Sarasota’s most anti-LGBTQ School Board member endured a sex scandal that raised questions about her own sexuality will some day become old news. It’s hard to imagine when, but the time drifts farther away every time Bridget Ziegler makes herself the face of another anti-trans policy.

It’s hard to imagine what motivated her most recent headline-grabbing action. Ziegler pushed the School Board to approve a resolution challenging protections for transgender students issued by President Joe Biden’s administration. I’ll try to avoid the particulars of this controversial stance and just dissect the frustrating way this choice of battles prolongs a many-times-extended lifespan on a story any other politician would want to go away.

Until last October, Ziegler’s local and national brand was an angry mom concerned what immoral values might be thrust upon children in classrooms. Ziegler over two full terms on the School Board essentially workshopped and distilled the messaging we now refer to as ‘parental rights,’ and even took it national.

This branding, love it or absolutely hate it, proved unquestionably effective. It tied together otherwise disparate topics that had social conservatives up in arms, from critical race theory to mask mandates to transgender bathroom access. Suddenly, none of this was about what progressives considered social progress or basic science. It was all indoctrinating children with a political agenda contrary to family values parents, at least decent ones, instilled at home.

In Florida, this birthed Moms For Liberty and created a better vehicle for conservative education activists than past messaging on local control or cultural superiority ever could.

But last fall, a scandal exposed Ziegler as an imperfect standard bearer. Revelations about her private life showed the values in her home weren’t as sanctimonious as her rhetoric. Regardless whether one held conservative or liberal views on the morality of activity between consenting adults (importantly, Bridget Ziegler was never even accused of violating consent), observers from the left and right condemned her as a hypocrite, especially on matters related to LGBTQ identity.

How could someone engaging in threesomes with another woman champion the “don’t say gay” law? How could someone who allowed the censorship of a valedictorian discussing his sexuality at graduation so casually engage in and accept adulterous activity? For months, the scandal overtook public comment at School Board meetings. And unlike past issues setting a faction of the public’s hair on fire, the nastiest remarks targeted Ziegler week after week.

Maybe raising a stink about letting transgender students use their preferred bathroom stall — an issue Sarasota schools contended with at Pine View School eight years ago before it became a far-right cause du jour — is Ziegler’s way of filling the chamber with her own mob again. But inevitably, attacking LGBTQ students turns renewed attention toward the chasm between how Ziegler demands others live their lives and how she has lived her own.

I’m certain critics will say Biden bears responsible for the timing. His administration chose to press forward with an admittedly controversial interpretation of Title IX protections during an election year, likely hoping the progressive base votes this fall. But Florida under Gov. Ron DeSantis is already fighting this fight, perhaps with similar political motivation. Both sides war from philosophical bunkers, uncompromised by personal sexual scandals.

Some see this as Ziegler’s attempt to curry fresh favor with national conservatives again. But the only outlets outside Florida who paid attention to this resolution were critical (disclaimer: that includes an article I wrote for The Advocate). Ziegler made fresh headlines, but they only further her reputation as an unrepentant hypocrite, no longer as a champion of parental rights.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Photo courtesy Twitter: Bridget Ziegler.

In the event of a hurricane, the primary concern of every organization and individual is ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. While emergency services and government bodies lead the response efforts, many do not realize that behind-the-scenes Destination Marketing Organizations such as Visit Sarasota County also play a role in managing the crisis. 

Our first step is to assess the current situation of what is happening in the destination during the impacted timeframe. We examine what groups are in town, which media are visiting the destination and what advertising and social media messaging we have out in the market. From there, we determine what changes are necessary, what needs to pause and what communications updates are necessary.  

Understanding the breadth and scope of the impacted area, we always make sure to follow our Emergency Operations Center’s lead, and from there coordinate with other DMOs around the state, especially those directly north and south of us, to align communication and support efforts.

Here are the steps we take at VSC to contribute during a hurricane: 

1.)   We aid in assisting in sharing official communications via our visitor center channels.

2.)   We provide any needed assistance to visitors by connecting them to official resources regarding evacuations, shelters, available accommodations around the area, region or even State as needed.

3.)   Work with local authorities and businesses to coordinate needed information pertaining to emergency lodging for displaced residents, visitors or repair/clean-up crews.

4.)   Work with officials and surrounding destination marketing organizations to determine when it is safe and appropriate to turn back on promotional marketing. During Hurricane Idalia last fall, we were aware of the impacts the storm and flooding could have on Labor Day Weekend travel. Following the storm, once we received official communication from local officials that our roadways were safe to travel on and our hotels were open, we shared live footage from properties in Sarasota County on our social platforms to let visitors know our local businesses were open. Our efforts are aimed not just at rebuilding what was lost, but at creating a stronger, more resilient community.

Preparedness Planning: Apart from active involvement during a hurricane, VSC is engaged in continuous disaster preparedness planning. We participate in local emergency planning activities, organize training sessions for our staff and develop crisis management plans specific to the needs of the tourism sector. By doing so, we aim to help build a community that is better prepared to face future hurricanes.

Erin Duggan is president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.

Photo courtesy Visit Sarasota County: Blind Pass Park.

As we approach the culmination of this academic year, there is a profound sense of gratitude and fulfillment I feel as the President of New College of Florida. For the second time, I have the honor of attending a commencement ceremony for an extraordinary cohort of students who have exemplified the spirit of curiosity and critical thinking, and embraced the diverse opportunities afforded by an interdisciplinary liberal arts education. This commencement is a celebration of their success and the inspiring journey they have undertaken during their time at New College.

Earning a degree at New College is no small feat; it requires dedication, perseverance and a commitment to intellectual rigor. As our graduates prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, it is evident that they have embraced the opportunity to take every challenge and experience  head-on, demonstrating the depth of their academic achievements. 

Over the past weeks, our graduating students have engaged in the rigorous process of presenting their senior honors theses to faculty committees and peers—an experience that is a linchpin of their academic journey at New College. This process not only signifies the culmination of their academic endeavors but also underscores their dedication to scholarly inquiry and interdisciplinary exploration. Our students have diverse areas of study that include cutting edge STEM research and high-level theory in humanities disciplines. The senior thesis is a unique display of the culmination of their time at New College.

This is a time to celebrate our students and their remarkable achievements. The graduating class elected one of their peers, Grace Keenan, to deliver an address during the ceremony. Grace recently completed her term as the student representative on the New College Board of Trustees, where she was a diligent advocate for the student body.

New College is proud to continue its rich tradition of producing Fulbright scholars in Florida, with Cynthia Lucas and Kyla Baal joining the prestigious ranks of Fulbright awardees this year. Cynthia's Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan and Kyla's study/research grant to Bulgaria exemplify the global impact of a New College education and the boundless opportunities available to our graduates.

In addition to our Fulbright scholars, we also celebrate the outstanding achievements of graduate student Josh Ingram's receipt of the 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Josh's success reflects the caliber of intellectual inquiry, research excellence and innovation fostered between students and faculty at New College.

As we acknowledge the accomplishments of our graduates, including Meilah Wimbush's recognition by the ALL IN Democracy Challenge for her commitment to nonpartisan democratic engagement, let us collectively applaud the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of all our students. What they have accomplished here is deeply meaningful.

New College is more than an institution; it is a vibrant community of passionate, curious learners who continually push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding. As we close this chapter, I am filled with confidence that they will continue to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. Join me in congratulating these extraordinary individuals as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, with the depth of a New College education and alumni by their side.

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida. 

Photo courtesy New College of Florida.