Florida’s official tourism website has quietly scrubbed a page promoting local LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations, in what has been widely interpreted as another in a long series of steps meant to intimidate, persecute and marginalize the LGBTQ+ community under the state’s conservative governor, Ron DeSantis.
VisitFlorida.com’s “LGBTQ Travel” section ― which featured links to the state’s “top 10 gay beaches” and information about LGBTQ chambers of commerce and LGBTQ road trips ― was last documented as being operative in mid-April by the internet archive site Wayback Machine, as first reported by NBC News on Monday.
“SUNSHINE FOR ALL,” the page had declared when it was active. “There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities ― a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”
An official reason for the page’s removal was not immediately clear. Representatives with Visit Florida did not respond to HuffPost’s calls and emails seeking comment. The website’s calendar of events still includes listings for upcoming LGBTQ-themed events across the state.
Visit Florida is not a government agency, but it receives public funding in a public-private partnership with the state legislature, which has worked to strip and limit LGBTQ+ rights throughout the state under DeSantis’ leadership.
These policies include the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law (which was recently amended under a settlement), as well as laws regarding public school bathrooms, books and children’s sports. Indirectly, there was also a recent summer ban on cities lighting up bridges at night with colors other than red, white…
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