New York Mayor Eric Adams Meets LGBTQ+ Advocates. (Getty Images/Slaven Vlasic)
New York City mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday (4 April) a campaign of digital billboard ads in Florida denouncing the hateful ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
The ads will appear in five Florida cities and on social media. “Loud. Proud. Still allowed,” one ad says. “Come to the city where you can say whatever you want,” says another one.
He highlighted his support for the LGBT+ community in a statement: “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community – come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” he added.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, formally called the Parental Rights in Education Bill, on 28 March. It will take effect on 1 July 2022.
According to recent polls, a majority of Americans opposed the bill that will ban discussion of LGBT+ issues in schools. It has received international backlash for putting vulnerable queer kids at risk.
Beverly Tillery, the executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project who was present at the launch, explained: “The New York City Anti-Violence Project stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community of Florida.
“Attempting to silence and deny LGBTQ+ people, especially youth, the support they need is violence and can lead to poor mental health outcomes, interruptions in education, and youth homelessness.”
Elisa Crespo, the executive director of NEW Pride Agenda, added: “New York City stands firmly with LGBTQ+ youth across the country during these difficult times. We are here for you, we see you, and we will always have your back and fight for you.”