Florida State Senator
Florida State Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) was elected to office in 2008, She formerly served as a member of the Florida House of Representative and has been an active advocate of equality throughout her political career.
First arriving in the state from her native New York in 1976, Sobel worked as a school teacher and community activist before being elected to the Hollywood City Commission (replacing fellow 10 Top Straight Ally Suzanne Gunzburger).
In 2013, Sobel was honored with Equality Florida’s “Voice for Equality Award,” recognizing her steadfast support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
“Florida is on the brink of change. The majority of Floridians stand with me for equality and the civil rights of all its people. The business community recognizes that equality and fairness are economic mandates. And even in Tallahassee, the tide is turning,” said Sen. Sobel.
Senator Sobel has been an unwavering advocate for LGBT equality. As chair of the Florida Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, she introduced the “Families First” bill in 2013, garnering bipartisan support. She also participated in the first-ever Florida LGBT Town Hall, in Wilton Manors, to discuss LGBT legislative issues that uniquely affect Florida’s LGBT community.
“Senator Sobel is our number one champion in the Florida Senate,” said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director of Equality Florida.
Eleanor is married to Dr. Stuart Sobel and holds a Masters degree from Columbia University.
