Florida’s Official Website Makes Controversial Information Update

Florida’s removal of LGBTQ+ travel information from its official tourism website is causing a stir among local business owners and tourists.

At a Glance

Florida’s official tourism department, Visit Florida, has removed its LGBTQ travel section.
The site previously featured content on gay-friendly beaches, pride events, and LGBTQ travel ideas.
The mobile version redirects to the home page, and key officials did not respond to requests for comments.
Business owners and activists feel erased and call for accountability for those responsible for the website changes.

LGBTQ+ Travel Info Removed from Visit Florida

Florida’s official tourism marketing department, Visit Florida, has taken down its LGBTQ travel section from the website. Content previously available included details about gay-friendly beaches, pride events, and travel ideas catering specifically to the LGBTQ community.

This change affects business owners and activists who depend on this section to promote their LGBTQ-friendly services. For instance, the mobile version of the site still lists the LGBTQ section but redirects to the home page.

Florida’s official tourism website quietly removed a landing page for the state’s LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations sometime in the past four months. https://t.co/zQ83bLjwM4

— NBC Out (@NBCOUT) August 20, 2024

Reactions from Business Owners and Activists

Rachel Covello, owner of OutCoast.com, collaborated with Visit Florida in 2021. She expressed feeling erased by the website changes, highlighting the significance of websites promoting diverse destinations in Florida.

“From a personal standpoint, and an LGBTQ standpoint, I felt we’d been erased,” Rachel Covello said.

Business owners like Lee Manual, who operates the Cocktail Bar and the Mari Jean Hotel, worry about how these changes will impact tourism and their businesses. Key officials from Visit Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis’s office have not responded to requests for comments.

'LGBTQ Travel' section is gone from Florida's official tourism site | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/SVnyIqPouZ

— WESH 2 News (@WESH) August 21, 2024

Governor DeSantis’ Policies and State History

The removal of LGBTQ+ travel information from the website is consistent with other recent actions that appear to limit LGBTQ+ expression. Governor Ron DeSantis has supported multiple policies against LGBTQ-related education in schools and gender-affirming care for minors.

“Last year, several civil rights groups issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that policies championed by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are ‘openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.’”

Despite state policies, many Florida cities have maintained an inclusive atmosphere with gay elected officials and LGBTQ-owned businesses catering to the community.