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The taxpayer-funded organization Visit Lauderdale has distanced itself from Florida’s recently passed anti-grooming law, declaring that “decisions made at the Florida state level do not always align with the mission and values” of their organization.
In a statement sent to the press via the PR firm Aqua Marketing & Communications, the organization insisted that Greater Fort Lauderdale “continues to be a progressive destination recognized throughout the tourism industry for its thought leadership” despite House Bill 1557 being signed into law.
“Groups meeting in the destination can be assured they are in an area where diversity, inclusion, and acceptance are actively championed as an established way of life that is fully woven throughout our 31 neighborhoods,” the statement reads.
“In fact, Visit Lauderdale’s groundbreaking marketing campaigns to LGBT+ travelers started over 25 years ago, and continue today with a unique social media campaign that was launched this past weekend,” it continued.
As part of Florida’s thriving tourist industry, Visit Lauderdale is a government agency funded by a portion of the tax on hotel rooms.
Officially named “Parental Rights in Education,” House Bill 1557 seeks to prevent those working in education from discussing topics regarding sexuality with children from grades K-3.
“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards,” the bill’s text reads in part.
Progressives and leading Democrats have falsely attempted to label the legislation as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, despite no mention of homosexuality or any other sexual orientation within the legislation.
Among the most vociferous critics of the bill has been Disney, who last month announced their “goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts.”
Despite an aggressive mainstream media campaign against the legislation, recent polling found that even Florida Democrat voters support the Republican-backed law, 52 percent to 36 percent.
Meanwhile, over a dozen other states including Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and Alabama have also indicated their intention to pass similar bills in the near future.
Ben Kew is English Editor of El American. He studied politics and modern languages at the University of Bristol where he developed a passion for the Americas and anti-communist movements. He previously worked as a national security correspondent for Breitbart News. He has also written for The Spectator, Spiked, PanAm Post, and The Independent
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Ben Kew es editor en inglés de El American. Estudió política y lenguas modernas en la Universidad de Bristol, donde desarrolló una pasión por las Américas y los movimientos anticomunistas. Anteriormente trabajó como corresponsal de seguridad nacional para Breitbart News. También ha escrito para The Spectator, Spiked, PanAm Post y The Independent.