On May 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a sweeping set of anti-LGBTQ restrictions that limit access to gender-affirming healthcare and public restrooms, target drag shows, and heavily regulate LGBTQ visibility in classrooms. The slate of bills drew immediate alarmed response from advocates and civil rights groups, and it prompted many to consider whether or not they still have a safe place to call home — or even to enjoy a brief vacation stay — in the Sunshine State.
Not long after, several national advocacy groups released formal advisories for those considering travel to the popular tourist destination.
On Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign partnered with local LGBTQ organization Equality Florida to issue an updated advisory for LGBTQ travelers. “Because of Ron DeSantis and his frenzied appeal to extremists, LGBTQ+ people in Florida are finding themselves in a state of emergency every single day… Those who visit must join us in their vocal opposition to these dangerous policies. Those who pick another place to work, to go to school or to spend their vacation should make clear why they’re not heading to Florida,” wrote Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
This travel advisory followed a warning for communities of color issued Saturday by the NAACP, stating: “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”
The NAACP advisory “comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools,” the organization wrote. The state’s education department rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course in January and the Republican administration signed a measure on May 15 that bans state colleges from funding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or including critical race theory in general education courses, after passing the so-called “Stop WOKE Act” in 2022 to restrict race-based conversations and analysis in schools and workplaces.
For months, local civil rights organizations have been urging caution in light of the state’s new laws targeting marginalized groups, which have formed the base of DeSantis’ political campaign over the last year. Earlier in May, DeSantis signed a law that regulates employment and invalidates forms of identification based on immigration status, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Equality Florida, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and the NAACP’s Florida chapter have warned their bases to take caution if traveling across the state.
While Florida’s state leadership continues to double down on its political agenda, advocates and concerned observers online are sharing resources for those who live in or may travel to Florida, as well as many other states that are moving ahead with similarly restrictive policies.
Online resources for travelers
Florida Immigrant Coalition travel advisory website
The Florida Immigrant Coalition accompanied its travel advisory with a dedicated resource website addressing safety concerns for “people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers” with specific guidance related to immigration status.
“In Florida, routine daily activities for those who cannot immediately prove United States Citizenship and lawful residency at all times may result in devastating consequences. These consequences include arrest for operating a vehicle, no matter the state you are from, reduced access to healthcare services, and compromised safety. Exercise extra caution if you are over 6 weeks pregnant due to restrictions on reproductive health services,” the site warns.
The advisory site details new considerations for travelers based on state laws, including policy-based risks related to operating vehicles in the state, using public transportation, and accompanying a person without a regulated immigration status. The site also offers a planning guide for ensuring one’s safety and printable cards in multiple languages asserting constitutional rights.
Florida Immigrant Coalition’s suggested steps for travelers include:
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Consult an attorney prior to traveling if you are unsure of your immigration status.
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Form a safety plan with your family should you be detained.
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Keep the Florida Immigrant Coalition hotline number (1-888-600-5762) on you at all times.
Anti-trans legislative risk map
The anti-trans legislative risk map was created by independent journalist Erin Reed in 2022 to document a rise in discriminatory laws against transgender people and to highlight which states offer protections for the LGBTQ community. According to the map, updated as of May 19 to reflect current legislation, the safest states for LGBTQ people to travel to are:
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California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Hawaii
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Illinois
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Minnesota
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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Oregon
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Vermont
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Washington
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Washington, D.C. (district)
These destinations either have explicit laws in place to protect transgender people, offer “refugee/safe state laws that protect trans people fleeing other states from investigation,” or “maintain a strong history of transgender protections,” Reed explains on the site.
The states identified on the map as posing the most risk for transgender travelers are:
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Alabama
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Arkansas
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Florida
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Georgia
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Idaho
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Nebraska
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Montana
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Oklahoma
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Texas
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Utah
High-risk states are designated based on enacted or proposed anti-trans legislation, including bills currently being debated by North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and Louisiana. While Virginia’s anti-trans legislation didn’t pass in this cycle, the map still labels the state as “high-risk” due to active campaigning from the state’s governor, Glenn Youngkin.
Reed notes unique considerations for Florida, the only state on the map with an explicit “do not travel” designation: “The ‘do not travel’ recommendation extends to even connecting flights through Florida. As of July 1, transgender individuals could face up to a year in jail for using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. This risk persists even for those who have legally altered their identification documents.”
Databases of LGBTQ-inclusive spaces
Open Doors Florida
Open Doors Florida is a statewide business directory designed by Equality Florida to “ensure that people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized communities feel welcome and protected in their daily lives and can be selective about where they spend their dollars.”
The mobile-friendly site lets users search through a variety of businesses including hotels and accommodations, restaurants, social services, and transportation, all of which “have implemented LGBTQ inclusive nondiscrimination in their policies and in their practices of running their business.”
Everywhere is Queer
Everywhere is Queer is a digital map documenting LGBTQ-owned businesses around the world, created in 2021 by Charlie Sprinkman. The website is built from community submissions and is vetted by Sprinkman and other LGBTQ volunteers, part of the site’s grassroots community-building mission.
Credit: Everywhere is Queer
REFUGE Restrooms
REFUGE Restrooms is a database of gender-neutral bathrooms that helps transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals find safe accommodations. It is trans-led and -built using public data and submissions.
According to new Florida law, authorities can arrest and charge people using a bathroom that doesn’t align with the gender assigned to them at birth with a second-degree misdemeanor.
“We firmly believe that everybody has the right to use the restroom in safety and we wanted the name of our application to have a little of same dignity we want to give our users,” the site states. “Quite simply, we hope to provide a place of refuge in your time of need.”
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