This a sensitive topic that has become even more polarizing as a result of the passage of numerous pieces of legislation by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, which he has stated is aimed to safeguard children. Despite this, many members of the LGBTQ+ community have described it as an assault.
“We need to let our kids be kids. The age in which we currently find ourselves is one that is absolutely insane. The Governor, Ron DeSantis, stated that there is a great deal of garbage that is spread around the state.
The Following Are the Effects of the New Laws:
- A prohibition on providing gender-affirming care.
- Â Do away with the practice of using pronouns in educational settings.
- Â Prevents young people from going to attend drag shows.
- It is required that children use restrooms that correspond with the gender they were assigned at birth.
“What we’ve said in Florida is that we are going to remain a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy, and kids should have an upbringing that reflects that,” stated Governor DeSantis.
Although there are those who believe this is a step in the right direction, there are others who are worried about a pattern that has emerged in recent legislation coming out of Tallahassee. Some people believe that the LGBTQ+ group is the intended target of this new legislation, and others argue that it is imperative that children be represented.
“For us as a pride organization, making sure that gay children are still seeing a representation of themselves, being able to see adults, for those children to develop into adults is something that is very important to us.
According to Byron Green-Calisch, who works for St. Pete Pride, “We want children who identify as queer or trans to have the opportunity to develop into fully functional adults in a manner that is appropriate for them.”
How the recently passed laws might affect Pride celebrations in the community.
The event known as Pride on the River is normally held along the river walk in Tampa during the month of September, however, it will not take place this year.
“We have vendors, sponsors have a booth, and then they also have foam parties and bubble machines and everything else for the kids,” said Carrie West with Tampa Pride.
“We have everything for them,” she said. According to West, they were forced to call off this year’s event because there are new regulations regarding the presence of children at drag shows. “The climate is so political, and it’s changing so rapidly,” said West. “The climate is so political.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the harbor in Pinellas Park, the organizers of an event called Pride at the Village are working feverishly to guarantee that their gathering would not violate the new rule. They are working hard to obscure the existence of drag shows from the view of the general public.
“So, our stage is going to be under a 30×30 tent, which is blocked from the main road, but now, in addition, we’re going to have to add temporary walls all around the perimeter so that we can accommodate an audience, but still keep it out of sight from anybody outside of that tent,” said John Gascot with Pride at the Village.
“So, our stage is going to be under a 30×30 tent, which is blocked from the main road,” said John Gascot with Pride at the Village.
On Thursday, St. Pete Pride made the announcement on Facebook that all of their Pride events scheduled for June will proceed as scheduled.
