LGBT TRAVEL ADVISORY DISPUTED BY WILTON MANORS

By John Hayden

A travel advisory urging LGBT to think twice before deciding to move to, or vacation in, Florida is getting backlash. On April 11, Equality Florida released the warning, citing attacks on LGBT youth, health, book bans, education, and more.

During the Wilton Manors City Commission meeting on April 25, commissioners responded saying it will likely do more harm than good.

“They issued an advisory that it might not be safe for them using words like ‘harm’ and ‘assault,’” Commissioner Chris Caputo said. “This has been acknowledged with disappointment by the CVB, our local business community, and many businesses that I’ve spoken to.”

Caputo is concerned that, while the advisory is long and lays out credible arguments, people are just reading the headline and top bullet points and not getting the nuance.

“It’s a little misleading and it’s definitely causing harm to tourism and our local businesses. It’s clear when you read the comments, they have not read the advisory in detail to learn why Equality Florida did it.”

Brandon Wolf of Equality Florida responded to the commission’s comments, saying, “The advisory is an honest look at the current and impending landscape in Florida so that people from across the globe can make informed decisions based on their own personal situation.”

Wolf says the travel advisory is having a positive effect because it has people discussing ways to fight back.

“We are grateful for the robust discussions being had about how best to welcome visitors and new residents amidst DeSantis’ policy onslaught. We crafted this advisory in response to the litany of questions we have been receiving, especially from transgender people and those with transgender family members, about how policies that criminalize bathroom access, ban health care coverage, break up child custody agreements, loosen gun safety guardrails, and more may impact them.”

Mayor Scott Newton echoed his support for rallying the city.

“I understand why they said it but at the same time you’re hurting the state of Florida, especially South Florida. I don’t think that was their intention.”

Commissioners will look to craft a statement saying the city is open for business, open to all, and open to tourism. It will likely be discussed at the next meeting.

April 27, 2023 • Volume 10 • Issue 8

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