LGBTQ civil rights organization Equality Florida this year took what it called an "extraordinary step" of issuing a travel advisory to its state in light of the state's political climate, and Florida's meetings and events landscape already has seen some changes in its aftermath.
The warning—which covered not only the state's legislation targeting the LGBTQ community, such as the "don't say gay" law or restrictions on transgender individuals using the bathroom that corresponds with their identity, but also such issues as attacks on immigrant communities, repeals of gun safety laws and establishment of laws that "foment racial prejudice—went alongside similar warnings from other state-level civil rights groups, including the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Florida chapters of the NAACP. National groups, including the NAACP, the Human Rights Campaign and the League of United Latin American Citizens, soon followed suit.
Some of the impact was immediate. The Orlando Sentinel reported that several groups canceled planned events in Orange County, and Broward County noted a similar number. Among the groups canceling included women-in-technology event the Grace Hopper Celebration, the National Society of Black Engineers and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses. Given that many events are planned several years in advance, the full impact remains to be seen.
Equality Florida's influence has not just been cancellation of events, however. An organization spokesperson told BTN this summer that the organization also had been in contact with organizers and businesses planning events in Florida for advice on how to message safety to their travelers—providing a list of medical providers who would be welcoming to LGBTQ attendees, for example—or finding local businesses they could work with during events that give back to the community.
Regardless of the decision to keep or cancel events in Florida, however, the warning certainly helped add it as a point of consideration.
"While losing conferences, and top students who have written off Florida, threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes and moving because school censorship, book bans and health care restrictions have made their home state less safe for their children," Smith said in a statement alongside the issuance of the travel warning. "We understand everyone must weigh the risks and decide what is best for their safety, but whether you stay away, leave or remain we ask that you join us in countering these relentless attacks."