Florida’s LGBTQ Travel Section Disappears from Official Tourism Site Amid Rising Concerns
Florida’s official tourism website, VisitFlorida.com, has quietly removed its dedicated “LGBTQ Travel” section, sparking concerns among the LGBTQ community and travel advocates. The landing page, which previously highlighted gay-friendly destinations, Pride events, and LGBTQ-centric travel ideas, vanished from the site sometime in the last four months.
The now-removed section was a vibrant resource for LGBTQ travelers, promoting Florida’s inclusive beaches, romantic getaways, and family-friendly activities. The page’s removal has been met with disappointment and frustration, particularly from LGBTQ advocates like Rachel Covello, who operates OutCoast, a blog dedicated to promoting LGBTQ-friendly travel in Florida.
“It really feels like we were just erased in a way,” Covello shared, emphasizing the importance of visibility for LGBTQ travelers. Covello noted that the page had been a staple of Visit Florida’s offerings since at least 2021, underscoring its value to both the community and the state’s tourism industry.
Visit Florida, a nonprofit public-private partnership established by the Florida Legislature, has yet to comment on the decision or clarify who was responsible for removing the content. Interestingly, the site still offers travel information catering to other minority groups, such as Black and Hispanic travelers.
The disappearance of the LGBTQ Travel section is seen by many as part of a broader trend in Florida, where recent years have witnessed increasing legislative actions perceived as hostile to the LGBTQ community. Since 2021, Florida has enacted laws limiting the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, restricting access to transition-related healthcare for trans minors, and defunding diversity programs at state colleges. Additionally, the state has seen efforts to limit drag performances and ban LGBTQ-related books from schools.
Maryann Ferenc, former chair of Visit Florida, expressed concern over the removal of the LGBTQ section, questioning the wisdom of such a move in a state where tourism is a major economic driver. “To be a great tourism community, you need to be open and welcoming. That’s the basics of hospitality, right?” she said. Ferenc emphasized that diversity is crucial not only for attracting a broad spectrum of visitors but also for ensuring that Florida remains competitive in the national and international tourism markets.
The removal also coincides with a broader national trend. In 2017, shortly after former President Trump’s inauguration, his administration removed nearly all mentions of LGBTQ people and issues from federal websites.
The timing of Florida’s decision is particularly striking given the recent travel advisories issued by major LGBTQ organizations, warning about the risks of visiting the state due to its increasingly anti-LGBTQ legislation. A survey by the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association found that over half of LGBTQ respondents were hesitant or unwilling to travel to Florida, although many were still open to visiting LGBTQ-friendly cities within states with anti-LGBTQ laws.
As Florida continues to navigate these complex dynamics, the disappearance of its LGBTQ Travel section sends a troubling message to both residents and visitors, raising questions about the state’s commitment to inclusivity in its hospitality industry.
