🌱 Disney To Host World's Largest LGBTQ+ Rights Conference + UCF Prof.

Hello, friends. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Today you'll learn about these stories and more:

• A former UCF professor is suing the university over his firing after firing off tweets that drew protests in 2020.
• American restaurant Graffiti Junktion will close down its College Park location this Sunday.
• Walt Disney World will hold the "largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world" this year in Orlando.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and warm. High: 86 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. A Marion County teacher tragically died on Tuesday after experiencing a medical episode while driving and crashing across the street from Lake Weir High School in Ocala, according to officials at the school. John Gibb was 31 years old and taught Pre-International Baccalaureate English at the school. (Click Orlando)
2. A former professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is suing the university over controversial tweets on race and ethnicity that led to his firing in 2020. One tweet read, "Black privilege is real: Besides affirm. action, special scholarships and other set asides, being shielded from legitimate criticism is a privilege. But as a group, they’re missing out on much-needed feedback." Protests followed the tweets from the professor at both UCF and the home of the professor. (Fox 35)
3. Grafitti Junktion will close its College Park location in Orlando on Sunday. The restaurant blamed staffing problems and cost of operations for the closure. The company will allow the staff that to transfer to the restaurant's Thornton Park location if they wish to remain with the company. (Bungalower)
4. Walt Disney World has announced they will host the "largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world" this year. The news comes as Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law is expanded to high schools. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already battled Disney over its Reedy Creek district in Central Florida. (Newsweek, PBS)
5. Central Florida State Attorney Monique Worrell spoke this week about her decision not to press charges against the person accused in a deadly shooting outside Jones High School in Orlando last year. The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the state between Worrell and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It also comes after DeSantis fired Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren from office in a controversial move that has drawn lawsuits. (Fox 35)

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Today in Orlando:

• Earth Matters Presented By VOLO at Orlando Science Center. (10 a.m.)
• Crafty Corner at CarePlus Community Center. (11 a.m.)
• O-Town Real Estate Investors — Meetup at Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen. (6 p.m.)
• Orlando Techies Meetup (3rd Thursday Of The Month) at A La Cart Foodtrucks. (6:30 p.m.)
• Art In Bloom 2023 — First Look Preview Party at Orlando Museum Of Art. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Orlando shared: "On March 7 we celebrated the trailblazers who came before us along with the ones leading the way. Here’s to strong women: Happy Women’s History Month. 💜🌟" (Downtown Orlando via Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer shared: "Fortunate to spend time with a special resident today. Next week, Betty will celebrate her 101st birthday. She loves our community and is grateful for the love and support she receives from others." (Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via Facebook)
• City of Orlando shared: "Congratulations to Ian Russell and Juliana Peña on OFFICIALLY cutting the ribbon on their brick-and-mortar Smoke & Donuts restaurant." (City of Orlando - Government via Facebook)
• Orlando Health shared: "Dr. Todd Poushanchi, a gastroenterologist with Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute, discusses the different colon cancer screening options available and why they are important." (Orlando Health via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• All Irish Comedy Tour (March 26)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (March 28)
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• 9th Annual Walk for Parkinson (April 1)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com