Equality Florida has issued a travel advisory warning that the state has passed laws hostile to the LGBTQ community, restricts access to reproductive health care, repeals gun safety laws, promotes racial bias and attacks the education public by banning books.
The entity understands that these state measures pose a risk to the health, safety, and liberty of those considering short- or long-term travel or relocation to the state.
The warning comes in response to a flurry of safety inquiries Equality Florida received after the legislation passed.
“As an organization that has spent decades working to enhance Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work and visit, it is with great sadness that we must respond to those who ask if it’s safe to travel to Florida or stay in the state because the laws take away basic rights and freedoms,” said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida.
According to the organization, the adopted and proposed policies detailed in the travel advisory have led Florida parents to consider relocating, prospective students to cross Florida colleges and universities off their rosters, events and conferences to cancel. future reunions, and to the U.S. Army to offer redeployment for service whose families are no longer safe in the state.
“It is very 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. We understand that everyone must weigh the risks and decide what is best for their safety, but whether you stay away, go or stay, we ask that you join us in countering these relentless attacks. Help reimagine and build a Florida that is truly safe and inclusive, and where freedom is a reality, not an empty campaign slogan,” Smith said in a press release.
In addition, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, a statewide immigrant rights coalition made up of 65 member organizations and more than 100 allies, also issued a travel advisory, urging reconsideration of travel to Florida and providing essential information on where immigrant travelers can Learn about your constitutional rights.
And just weeks ago, Florida chapters of the NAACP voted unanimously to call for similar warnings to the black community about the risk of traveling or moving to the state.