Florida's recent removal of the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its official tourism marketing agency's website has sparked concern among local business owners and civil rights groups. This deletion, identified earlier this week, follows a series of moves by state officials that have been perceived as hostile to the rights and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. According to WSVN, this includes legislation championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to limit discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, as well as measures against gender-affirming care for minors.
Keith Blackburn, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce, voiced his disappointment in a statement obtained by, "It's just disgusting to see this. They seem to want to erase us." His sentiment reflects deeper worries that state-level policies are negatively impacting the ability of places known for their inclusivity, such as Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, and St. Petersburg, to attract LGBTQ+ tourists. These cities have traditionally been among the top destinations in the United States.
The public-private partnership organization, Visit Florida, which manages the state's tourism marketing, receives about $50 million from the state each year. Despite the significance of the tourism sector to Florida's economy—with out-of-state visitors contributing more than $102 billion in 2023—official responses to inquiries about the website changes have been notably absent. Neither John Lai, chair of Visit Florida’s board nor Dana Young, the agency’s CEO, and president, responded to requests for comment by the time of this reporting, as U.S. News & World Report.
"It’s difficult when these kinds of stories come out, and the state does these things, and we hear people calling for a boycott," Blackburn told WSVN. His concerns echo the challenging position of local tourism advocates who must balance the state's reputation with their cities' welcoming environment. Moreover, the clash between local inclusivity and state policy also resulted in civil rights groups issuing a travel advisory for Florida, claiming hostility toward marginalized communities.
