Florida’s tourism marketing site has quietly shut down a portion of its website dedicated to attracting tourists. LGBTQ+ Visitors.
Visit Florida’s website once had a robust marketing section promoting pride events and popular destinations for LGBTQ travelers. A web archive of that page reads: The Wayback MachineHowever, the last snapshot of the landing page is from April 19, 2024.
At the time, the site had a page dedicated to promoting the top 10 gay beaches and LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Florida (topping the list was Wilton Manors).
However, if you have that page bookmarked and try to access that section, you’ll see a generic “things to do” page instead.
However, searching the page for “LGBT” content brings up information on several destinations that tout their LGBT-friendliness, including Sandova Spa and the Hyatt Regency in Clearwater and Stetson Mansion wedding venue in DeLand. page Wilton Manors still refers to the community as the “LGBT+ capital of South Florida.”
Of note, Visit Florida serves as the state’s tourism marketing organization and operates in partnership with similar organizations around Florida. Although Visit Florida operates independently of state government, it relies heavily on public funding. Republicans in the Florida Legislature have fought for decades about continuing its funding, with the debate revolving largely around the value of publicly subsidizing the marketing efforts of Florida’s most successful industry.
Congress this year earmarked $80 million for the agency in next fiscal year’s budget. Florida PoliticsDiscussions about the content on the company’s marketing site were rarely the subject of heated debate.
However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has implemented many policies that are described as hostile and unwelcoming towards LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. Equality Florida Travel Recommendation It issued a warning to the LGBTQ+ community “about the risks posed to the health, safety and freedom of those considering short-term or long-term travel or relocation to the state.”
Right now, the state doesn’t seem to be making any effort to persuade LGBTQ+ people to come.
DeSantis has supported funding Florida tourism. Record-breaking tourism Within the state.
lawyer The Florida Department of Tourism and DeSantis’ office have been contacted for comment on why the LGBTQ+ section of the website is no longer accessible.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
