Florida mayors across the state are speaking out in support of LGBTQ rights in light of several bills targeting the community that have been passed by the state legislature and are heading to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
At least eight mayors from Orlando, Miami Beach, Tampa, Tallahassee, and more have signed the pledge in support of the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLSEN and its Rise Up campaign.
Fort Lauderdale's openly gay mayor, Dean Trantalis said, "In Fort Lauderdale, you can be who you are without fear of reproach. Discrimination of any kind, particularly towards our LGBTQ+ children, has no place in any part of our society. Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts one of highest concentrations of same-sex households in the nation, and we welcome in an average of over 1.3 million LGBTQ+ visitors each year."
The Rise Up campaign also advocates for LGBTQ+ affirming books, resources, and curriculum, as well as advocacy against anti-LGBTQ+ bills and rhetoric.
Florida has been leading the recent wave of legislation and policies targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The bills recently passed by the Florida legislature include a bathroom bill that bars transgender people from using restrooms or changing facilities that do not align with their gender assigned at birth.
Another bill expands the Parental Rights in Education law, which has been dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law by critics. #Queer Up South Florida & Florida