Several Pride events have been canceled by organizers during Pride Month because of new anti-LGBTQ laws signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), suggesting the state’s political climate made hosting such events “unsafe.”
Organizers based in St. Cloud, Fla., announced in a Facebook post their decision to cancel the Pride event scheduled for June due to the recent signing of the legislation, claiming the new laws have “created a climate of fear and hostility” toward LGBTQ people in the state.
Bozanich Photography Collaborative, an organizer for the event, highlighted that the “decision was not made lightly,” adding that they had been working hard to plan the event “and were excited to celebrate our community” with attendees.
The group explained it had “recently become aware of a number of factors” that make hosting such an event “unsafe” while hoping attendees would understand their choice.
The group then expressed their commitment to “work to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people in Florida.”
West Palm Beach’s NBC affiliate WPTV reported that organizers and officials in Port St. Lucie, Florida, agreed last month to cancel the Pride parade and scale back other Pride Month activities for those 21 and older.
The cancelations are the result of DeSantis-championed anti-LGBTQ legislation signed into law last week.
The new laws prohibit minors from receiving sexual treatment, attending “adult live performances,” which include drag shows, and prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms or locker rooms that do not match their biological gender.
The news about St. Cloud Pride event cancelation comes days after the NAACP issued an official travel advisory for Florida on Saturday (May 20), stating Florida had become hostile to Black Americans under DeSantis’ leadership.
