Civil Rights Groups Warn Against Travel To Florida

Much of Florida's economy - like a large segment of Virginia's economy - depends on tourism which flourishes when a state or region is welcoming and friendly to all.  This reality is seemingly lost to Ron DeSantis and the Republican controled Florida legislature who are making it ever more clear that only white evangelicals and white supremacists are welcome in that state. Everyone else is not only unwelcomed by the state government but needs to be fearful for their safety.  The result is the unusual step of Equality Florida, the Florida NAACP, and the Florida Immigrant Coalition all issuing travel warns advising members of their respective communities to reconsider travel to Florida.  I have noted before that we have vacationed in Florida for many years, but I will be very unlikely to go back and will consider Puerto Rico and other LGBT welcoming destinations in the Caribbean as alternatives when we seek an escape from cold weather.  Hypocritically, DeSantis has called the travel warnings a "political stunt" yet the racist, and anti-LGBT jihad he is leading is ALL about his posturing himself to attract the hideous GOP primary voter bas. USA Today looks at the situation which cannot be good for Florida tourism overall,  Here are excerpts:

Florida advocacy groups have issued a state travel advisory following the passage and pushing of controversial bills by Gov. Ron DeSantis this legislative session.

LGBTQ civil rights group Equality Florida and the Florida Immigrant Coalition, made up of more than 65 organizations, both warned people away from the state on Wednesday.

"Today, Equality Florida took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state," according to an Equality Florida news release. 

Of concern are "laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum," Equality Florida wrote.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition said travel across the state should be done with "extreme caution." "It can be unsafe for people of color, individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers," it said on a webpage made for its advisory.

Due to unconstitutional legislation supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and introduced by Legislative leadership, every county in Florida poses a heightened risk of harassment, possible detainment, and potential family separation based on racial profiling.

The coalition is referring to Senate Bill 1718 and House Bill 1617, legislation that is being pushed by DeSantis.

That legislation strengthens employment requirements, allows state law enforcement officials to conduct random audits of businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers . . . . . Local governments would be banned from contributing money to organizations creating identification cards for undocumented immigrants and driver's licenses issued to non-citizens in other states would be barred from use in Florida – another provision critics say could lead to confusion and law enforcement profiling, especially in a diverse, visitor-filled state.

The travel advisories come weeks after Florida NAAC members unanimously voted to ask the group's national board to issue a travel advisory.

DeSantis called that move a stunt as well.

The warning to the LGBTQ community also comes days after state representative Webster Barnaby compared transgender people to "mutants," "demons" and "imps," during discussion of legislation that requires people to use public restrooms that correspond with their sex assigned at birth. It would effectively bar transgender people from facilities that match their gender identity. It also came a day after Senate lawmakers voted to amp up regulations on drag shows, something advocates fear could impact Pride festivals.

Republican lawmakers have filed at least 18 bills that directly or indirectly target transgender Floridians and in some cases the broader LGBTQ community, according to counts maintained by advocates. 

In its press release, Equality Florida said in part the following: 

Today, Equality Florida took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state.

“As an organization that has spent decades working to improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live work and visit, it is with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it is safe to travel to Florida or remain in the state as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director.

Governor Ron DeSantis, who has made the extremist policies the centerpiece of his presidential campaign strategy, has weaponized state agencies to silence critics and impose sanctions on large and small companies that dissent with his culture war agenda or disagree with his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.