Miami, March 4. Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo has rejected a bill passing through the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature that could, if passed, ban the LGBT Pride flag on utility buildings in this state in the southeastern United States.
Caputo said in statements collected by the Local 10 television network this Saturday that Florida House Bill 10-11 is intended to prevent flags representing the LGBT community from being displayed on government buildings.
Additionally, he noted that he was proud that the LGBT flag was flying at Wilton Manors City Hall, north of the city of Fort Lauderdale.
“It tells me it’s a safe space,” Caputo said of the symbol’s presence in the municipality, saying it signals to people from the LGBT community that they “are welcome.”
The bill may also limit other flags because, if approved, only United States, state and fire department flags will be able to fly on Florida government property.
Caputo stressed that legislative initiatives like these are “really scary”.
The bill introduced by Florida Republican Representative David Borrero of Miami-Dade County states that “no other flag (among those officially authorized) may be displayed in public view for display by any government agency or unit of local government”.
“America was founded on diversity and freedom of expression, not that everyone is the same and feels the same,” Caputo said.
He warned that if the bill is approved and comes into force on July 1, what he understands as more discriminatory measures against the LGBT community could come later.
“This is not an isolated incident,” Caputo said, after noting that “it is part of a growing number of attacks on all fronts against the LGBT community.”
The De Santis-led government filed a lawsuit last February seeking to revoke the liquor license of a foundation in Orlando, Florida, which in December 2022 performed a Christmas performance of “drag queens” at its theater pointing out that there were minors present.
De Santis, who last year signed a controversial law barring college students from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity, had previously filed a lawsuit against a Miami cruising spot in the same circumstances.
DeSantis, who again won the midterm elections as Florida governor months ago, is expected to run to contest the primaries for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 2024. EFE
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