Political Stunts as DeSantis Dismisses Civil Rights Groups’ Travel Warnings
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly dismissed travel warnings issued by civil rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group. The warnings highlight the potential dangers for immigrants, minorities, and LGBTQ individuals in Florida due to recent legislative changes.
The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida jointly released the alert, citing several new laws that were approved during the latest legislative session and adversely affected these communities. The advisory has drawn a dismissive response from DeSantis, who is expected to announce his presidential campaign soon. He labeled the warnings as “political stunts.” Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ press secretary, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We aren’t going to waste time on political stunts but will continue doing what is right for Floridians.”
In an interview with Norah O’Donnell of CBS Evening News, DeSantis was asked if everyone would feel welcome in a country under his leadership. According to Pink News, DeSantis responded confidently, “One hundred percent,” and dismissed the NAACP’s warning as a cynical political move. “[The NAACP’s warning] is politics, that is a stunt. They obviously have a very left-wing agenda, which I don’t begrudge them,” he said.
DeSantis further defended his state’s record, pointing to Florida’s low unemployment numbers for African Americans compared to some states with Democratic governors. He highlighted the increase in Black-owned businesses and scholarships for Black students in Florida. “We have shown people can succeed in Florida, regardless of their race, ethnicity, any of that. We will judge people as individuals, we want people to rise based on their merit,” he told CBS News.
However, the concerns raised by civil rights organizations stem from several new laws that target transgender individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Four out of twelve proposed pieces of legislation have already become law. These measures include banning minors from attending “adult live performances,” requiring the use of public restrooms corresponding to a person’s sex at birth, and restricting gender-affirming care for both children and adults. They also limit the use of preferred pronouns in schools and expand Florida’s Parents’ Rights statute, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, criticized DeSantis’s actions, stating, “Because of Ron DeSantis and his frenzied appeal to extremists, LGBTQ+ people in Florida are finding themselves in a state of emergency every single day.” She accused DeSantis of using his position to embed bigotry, hate, and discrimination into public law for political gain.
Other civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens, have also issued warnings about Florida’s “open hostility” towards Black and Latino communities. They cite policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities, censoring accurate teachings of American history, and increasing the state’s power to restrict or ban certain books. The Florida Immigrant Coalition expressed similar concerns, highlighting potential dangers for minorities and immigrants considering travel or relocation to Florida.
Despite these warnings, Florida continues to attract a significant number of tourists. According to USA Today, over 137.5 million people visited the state last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, visitors spent nearly $99 billion, making tourism a crucial component of Florida’s economy.
