An Inclusivity Initiative
The 60-second radio advertisement was broadcast outside of Florida and claimed Orlando is a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. “The possibilities are endless,” it said. According to Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando, the ad is part of a broader inclusivity initiative that began in 2021.Orlando for All
The ad campaign – known as “Orlando for All” – gives various reasons for the city’s popularity among tourists. Matej estimates that around 5% to 6% of the campaign’s marketing budget is dedicated to attracting the LGBTQ+ community.Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
Despite Visit Orlando’s explanations, critics argue that – given the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida – the campaign could be seen as disingenuous and potentially harmful. Some LGBTQ+ advocates feel that Visit Orlando is failing to acknowledge the current challenges they face in the state. Moreover, they say the campaign undermines their struggles and concerns.It’s About Time
On the other hand, supporters of the campaign, like Tatiana Quiroga from the non-profit Come Out With Pride, see the ad as a necessary step. She said: “I’m very excited to see that Visit Orlando is specifically speaking to the LGBTQ+ community. I think that it’s about time.”The Internet Responded
News of the advertisement was spread across social media and LGBTQ+ individuals from across the country shared their thoughts. “Yeah nice try, Florida. We know what you’re about these days,” one person wrote. “As a huge Disney World fan, it is not easy – but I am not going to be spending money in Florida until DeSantis is [gone]. I feel sorry for the good people of Orlando [but] not for Florida as a whole – they made this happen.”DeSantis or DeSatan
A fair number of commenters agreed with the aforementioned individual. “It won’t be safe until DeSatan, his minions, and his policies are buried back under the rocks from whence they came,” one person wrote. “Until DeSantis is out of office, no,” another wrote. “I’m not setting foot in that state until DeSantis is gone,” a third echoed.The Importance of Voting
Others took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of voting. One person said: “I mean, most big cities have a large LGBTQ+ community. However, the issue is on the state level, so [there’s] no remedying that right now. Just goes to show voting matters outside the general presidential elections,” one person wrote.Other Minority Groups Joined the Discussion
Florida isn’t exactly known for being kind, so anyone who isn’t straight, White, cisgender, and Christian. As such, other minority groups gave their thoughts too. One person wrote: “I’m Jewish, and I wouldn’t go anywhere near Florida right now. I don’t want to be lynched for not being Christian or for being accused of drinking baby blood or eating babies.”Florida Isn’t Safe for LGBTQ+ People
Several commenters shared that they’ve canceled trips to Florida over its treatment of LGBTQ+ people. “I canceled bringing a group of 75 people to a festival in Miami [that] we’ve done every year for, like, 6 years. There [are] plenty of fun [places to go that don’t] demean our integrity,” one person wrote. “I was supposed to be going to Orlando this year but I’ve canceled the trip. As a trans woman, I’m not safe there,” another said.A Transgender Journalist Responded
A trans journalist – Erin Reed – spoke about the situation on X, formally known as Twitter. She sarcastically wrote: “Visit Orlando, where you can be arrested for using the bathroom! No shade to the [LGBTQ+] people in Orlando – they are fighting like hell – but the state is not safe for visitors right now.”The Advertisement Was Irresponsible
Some people claimed the ad was dangerous and irresponsible in that it could give transgender people a false sense of security. One person wrote: “It’s honestly irresponsible for city officials to lie to people like that. Trans people risk arrest if they use a Florida bathroom. No way to spin that.”Some Found the Advertisement Funny
A fair few commenters found the situation humorous, unable to understand how anyone in Orlando would think LGBTQ+ people would visit. “This is actually hilarious. No queer person would set foot in Florida right now. I’m sure Orlando is an accepting place compared to more rural areas of the state but it’s still ridiculous that they’d think we’d even consider visiting.”16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
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