Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing assault of Florida’s LGBTQ community and its allies is once again being challenged. Gay Days, inc. is relaunching GayFlorida.com.
The website revamp is still going on, with the home page still “under construction,” but organizers wanted to make a statement as quickly as possible.
The move comes after the state’s tourism website, VisitFlorida.com, removed the landing page for LGBTQ businesses. The move was seen as petty, but the impact could be substantial.
While South Florida has many other marketing opportunities for LGBTQ businesses, smaller markets like Sarasota and Tallahassee do not.
“Florida has long been a haven for LGBT+ visitors seeking an open and affirming travel experience,” said Charles Cantrell, COO of Gay Days, inc. “While certain political leaders promote discrimination, our local communities continue to advocate for inclusion and belonging for all.”
Cantrell’s team say the new look will offer recommendations in LGBTQ meccas like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Key West. The new website will highlight welcoming destinations, inclusive events, and safe spaces, as well as promote the organization’s signature weekend, Gay Days in Orlando.
“With the removal of LGBT+ content from Visit Florida, we felt it was important to relaunch a dedicated resource for our community,” said Joseph Clark, CEO of Gay Days, inc. “Our new guide will embolden and empower LGBT+ travelers coming to Florida with recommendations curated by locals and community organizations across the state.”
Owners of GayFlorida have not announced an official date for the relaunch.