The SCOTUS, as well as the current D.C. regime and Florida, Texas, Kansas, and several other deeply red states, have already well demonstrated that the Constitution is null and void except where they can twist its words to fit their Project 2025 fascist dictatorship desires.
While they definitely have some very concerning decisions, they still haven’t shown a willingness to categorically undermine the 1st Amendment in such a way. It would literally make the Bill of Rights meaningless if they uphold this. They *might* not care but so far they’ve shown that they are hesitant to open a can of worms like striking down the first amendment would be.
You give people a reason to abstain and access to alternatives that are either cheaper/more accessible, or equally good but better aligned with their values.
Florida Vacations for foreigners is obviously pretty easy to find an alternative to, as it’s a flexible want and the world doesn’t have a shortage of places with beaches and nice weather. Probably no one coordinated the effort, foreigners just think ‘Hmm, vacation to the US? or vacation to any of the hundreds of tropical islands I don’t need a visa for? Hmmmm…’
Other boycotts may be harder, e.g. the cost and convenience of Amazon is hard to turn others away from.
I’m so very, very tired. I’m based in Florida, and I work for a non-profit organization where we serve an extremely diverse population, and our staff need to know how to serve people from different backgrounds in a way that is inclusive, culturally competent, and non-discriminatory. This means training them on how to do this. But our state doesn’t want us to do this (and neither does the federal government under Trump). We cannot effectively do our jobs without being able to train our staff. Of course, it will also have major impacts on LGBTQ+ organizations, Pride celebrations, and more as well. But this is SUCH a bad bill, and it was sponsored by MY state Representative and Senator, who, I’m convinced, haven’t yet gotten over my city passing a trans-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance in 2017. My state senator was a city council member at the time. I’m so tired of watching the advances in LGBTQ+ civil rights that I have been working to get passed for 30 years just being rolled back at warp speed since 2021, and it’s picking up speed, growing, and getting worse every single day.
aw I'm so sorry, that SUCKS. But I know your community is so much better off with the work you've done and yes, you've absolutely made a difference.
I feel like the a-holes are getting desperate and pushing through the most extreme crap they can now because they can feel the pendulum starting to swing the other way. Scapegoating because their right-wing policies in general are losing public support. They will try to cling to power but we need to keep going to the courts and keep educating. All hands on deck for November.
This development, combined with yesterday’s 4th circuit ruling, and the news out of Kansas, has convinced me that more and more sections of the U.S. are going to become essentially unlivable for trans people between now and 2028. The only question now, really, is how well the dozen or so blue states will hold out, who already have protective trans legislation at the state level. Normally state law should provide pretty good, long-lasting protection. But who knows in this chaotic environment.
Blue-state protection is only as good as the states are willing to stand up to federal bullying (e.g. the illegal withholding of federal funds). I think it's just a matter of time before few, if any, safe havens are left. It would be a mistake to think that this wave of anti-trans action will subside. It is a major end-goal of the religious right, and I think they will stop at nothing to see it through to its logical conclusions.
I'm sure I'm being overly dramatic, but I can't help feeling that Florida needs to change its flag to something red with a black swastika in a white circle perhaps?
They thought it would be easier just to add the Confederate flag back, as a canton in the upper left, or more likely to add the 11 stars argent to the current goules saltire that is a color reversed component of the Confederate battle flag (posthumously, during the war it was the field flag of the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee, only the Confederate flag post bellum). The Confederate saltire was blue on field of red, the Florida saltire red on field argent (white).
The swastika would be more "truthiness in advertising", however, and you would surely be advocating for THAT, as I, i.e., "belling the cat".
Florida’s proposed Florida SB 1134 represents a dangerous expansion of executive power that threatens the most basic principles of democratic governance, due process, and equal protection under the law. By allowing the governor—currently Ron DeSantis—to unilaterally declare an elected official guilty of “malfeasance” and immediately suspend that person without a court hearing, the bill removes essential judicial safeguards and concentrates extraordinary authority in a single office.
This is not accountability; it is unchecked executive power.
Due process exists to ensure that accusations are tested through evidence, impartial review, and transparent legal proceedings.
SB1134 bypasses those protections entirely, allowing punishment first and justification later—if at all. A system where an allegation alone can trigger removal from office undermines the presumption of innocence and weakens constitutional norms that protect everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
The democratic consequences are profound. Local officials are elected to represent their communities—not to serve at the pleasure of a governor.
Under SB1134, voters could see their chosen representatives removed overnight, not by courts or ethics commissions, but by executive decree.
That reality creates a chilling effect on local governance, discouraging elected leaders from taking positions that might conflict with state leadership.
Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community
For LGBTQ+ communities, the dangers are especially acute. Across Florida, many local governments have served as critical safeguards by passing nondiscrimination protections, supporting inclusive education policies, funding community health initiatives, and resisting measures perceived as harmful to LGBTQ+ residents. SB1134 creates a mechanism through which officials who champion those protections could face immediate political retaliation disguised as “malfeasance.”
When suspension power is broad and undefined, advocacy itself can become a risk.
Mayors, school board members, and county commissioners who defend LGBTQ+ rights could reasonably fear removal simply for pursuing policies aligned with their constituents but opposed by state leadership. The result is not merely political tension—it is institutionalized intimidation, discouraging officials from protecting vulnerable communities.
The LGBTQ+ community already faces heightened concerns around access to healthcare, education, and civil protections.
A law enabling swift executive suspension of supportive local leaders threatens to silence some of the few governmental voices advocating for inclusion and safety.
By destabilizing local representation, SB1134 risks stripping LGBTQ+ residents of democratic allies and weakening local autonomy precisely where marginalized communities often find protection.
A Threat to Democracy and Equal Protection
Laws meant to address misconduct must strengthen trust in government, not erode it.
SB1134 instead merges accusation, judgment, and punishment into a single executive action—undermining judicial independence and voter sovereignty alike. No governor, regardless of party or ideology, should wield the authority to override elections without prior judicial review.
Florida deserves accountability systems rooted in fairness, transparency, and constitutional balance.
SB1134 moves in the opposite direction, creating a pathway for political punishment, suppressing dissenting local leadership, and placing vulnerable communities—including LGBTQ+ Floridians—at greater risk of losing representation and protection under the law.
This is the most disgusting morally corrupt group of legislators - Florida is no longer a welcoming state and I CALL ON ANYONE THINKING OF VISITING THIS STATE NOT TO DO IT
My dad lives in FL ~ he's in his 90's ~ he and his wife (not my mother!) are trumpers. I cannot bring myself to visit. In fact, I cannot visit any state that has draconian laws regarding the queer community. BOYCOTT FLORIDA!!
One more reason not to spend my disposable income in Florida, and further confirmation that Florida is full of stupid people, with apologies to my smart friends who live in the Sunshine State.
Simply, it is time that we boycott Florida: no visits, no spending of dollars, whatsoever.
And we must convince our friends who are LGB that supporting trans rights in their fight to secure LGB rights and freedoms is in our collective best interest.
What does this mean? We must ALL boycott EVERY state that is imposing anti-trans laws in their states, e.g., Kansas this past week.
We are all in this together and we must fight this together.
(First, they came for the trans community, but I was not trans...)
Florida, Texas, and Kansas are already on Erin’s Do Not Travel list. She periodically runs an article with a map of all 50 states and their level of trans support or oppression.
I think the vast majority of LGBTQ people understand that we are in this together. The propagandists try to make us believe LGB people increasingly want to go their own way, but I've not heard this expressed by any actual, real, three-dimensional LGB person I've met.
Seems like any government support or acknowledgement of St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo would run afoul of these DEI restrictions. Filing suit against those might be a good way to raise a stink and get the bill into court.
And so we continue to march toward full authoritarian governance, state by state. I went to high school in Florida, so very sad to see it's takeover by an autocratic Repub party (which is really the Trump party) and am grateful to be back in the Pacific NW - it is by no means perfect but at least WA (the western part) is about as diametrically opposed to what's happening in Florida as you can get. Even with that, my trans family members are traumatized. I have good friends in Florida who are aghast but not feeling empowered to do anything about it, sad to say.
I’m originally from Florida I left in 2010. The people I know have not batted an eye. I’m only hearing of all this from Erin. But we also all transitioned in the 80’s 90’s …these are also street kids who will throw hands if needs be.
Now I am concerned with the ones who are not stealth and in careers whom protections can all go out the window.
I know a trans teacher that just retired. She said she doesn’t have time for all that Florida foolishness. She’s been a teacher for like 30 plus years
It’s unbelievable that cis white men are so triggered by the LGBTQIA community. When a sitting governor has the permission to control all other elected officials, then you have the same problem as Russia. When will Floridians finally get tired of this.
There is a small chance that this bill is in violation of the First Amendment. /s
The SCOTUS, as well as the current D.C. regime and Florida, Texas, Kansas, and several other deeply red states, have already well demonstrated that the Constitution is null and void except where they can twist its words to fit their Project 2025 fascist dictatorship desires.
While they definitely have some very concerning decisions, they still haven’t shown a willingness to categorically undermine the 1st Amendment in such a way. It would literally make the Bill of Rights meaningless if they uphold this. They *might* not care but so far they’ve shown that they are hesitant to open a can of worms like striking down the first amendment would be.
Oh goodie, ideological government purges. I can Nazi how this could possibly go wrong!
I think we should start a boycott for tourists going to Florida. Hitting them with our pocketbook could have the biggest effect.
Most European countries have Florida flagged. We should lobby the EU Travel Advisory to place it on a no go list.
How do you do something like that. And how do you arrange a boycott- just and idea but I don't know how to do that.
You give people a reason to abstain and access to alternatives that are either cheaper/more accessible, or equally good but better aligned with their values.
Florida Vacations for foreigners is obviously pretty easy to find an alternative to, as it’s a flexible want and the world doesn’t have a shortage of places with beaches and nice weather. Probably no one coordinated the effort, foreigners just think ‘Hmm, vacation to the US? or vacation to any of the hundreds of tropical islands I don’t need a visa for? Hmmmm…’
Other boycotts may be harder, e.g. the cost and convenience of Amazon is hard to turn others away from.
DeSantis is increasingly turning Florida into a totalitarian state, my future here as a trans woman is becoming increasingly untenable.
I think you should think about moving north. We are in NYS which has no anti trans bills. I know its colder but also safer.
I'm so sorry. Rhonda sucks. Best of luck finding a friendlier home.
I’m so very, very tired. I’m based in Florida, and I work for a non-profit organization where we serve an extremely diverse population, and our staff need to know how to serve people from different backgrounds in a way that is inclusive, culturally competent, and non-discriminatory. This means training them on how to do this. But our state doesn’t want us to do this (and neither does the federal government under Trump). We cannot effectively do our jobs without being able to train our staff. Of course, it will also have major impacts on LGBTQ+ organizations, Pride celebrations, and more as well. But this is SUCH a bad bill, and it was sponsored by MY state Representative and Senator, who, I’m convinced, haven’t yet gotten over my city passing a trans-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance in 2017. My state senator was a city council member at the time. I’m so tired of watching the advances in LGBTQ+ civil rights that I have been working to get passed for 30 years just being rolled back at warp speed since 2021, and it’s picking up speed, growing, and getting worse every single day.
aw I'm so sorry, that SUCKS. But I know your community is so much better off with the work you've done and yes, you've absolutely made a difference.
I feel like the a-holes are getting desperate and pushing through the most extreme crap they can now because they can feel the pendulum starting to swing the other way. Scapegoating because their right-wing policies in general are losing public support. They will try to cling to power but we need to keep going to the courts and keep educating. All hands on deck for November.
Does FL have a postcard writing campaign??
A postcard writing campaign for what, specifically?
This development, combined with yesterday’s 4th circuit ruling, and the news out of Kansas, has convinced me that more and more sections of the U.S. are going to become essentially unlivable for trans people between now and 2028. The only question now, really, is how well the dozen or so blue states will hold out, who already have protective trans legislation at the state level. Normally state law should provide pretty good, long-lasting protection. But who knows in this chaotic environment.
Blue-state protection is only as good as the states are willing to stand up to federal bullying (e.g. the illegal withholding of federal funds). I think it's just a matter of time before few, if any, safe havens are left. It would be a mistake to think that this wave of anti-trans action will subside. It is a major end-goal of the religious right, and I think they will stop at nothing to see it through to its logical conclusions.
I'm sure I'm being overly dramatic, but I can't help feeling that Florida needs to change its flag to something red with a black swastika in a white circle perhaps?
They thought it would be easier just to add the Confederate flag back, as a canton in the upper left, or more likely to add the 11 stars argent to the current goules saltire that is a color reversed component of the Confederate battle flag (posthumously, during the war it was the field flag of the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee, only the Confederate flag post bellum). The Confederate saltire was blue on field of red, the Florida saltire red on field argent (white).
The swastika would be more "truthiness in advertising", however, and you would surely be advocating for THAT, as I, i.e., "belling the cat".
How is this NOT a First Amendment violation? I mean, yes, they can restrict spending public funds, but speech? I think not.
The supposed party of “free speech” certainly is doing a lot of censoring.
Florida’s proposed Florida SB 1134 represents a dangerous expansion of executive power that threatens the most basic principles of democratic governance, due process, and equal protection under the law. By allowing the governor—currently Ron DeSantis—to unilaterally declare an elected official guilty of “malfeasance” and immediately suspend that person without a court hearing, the bill removes essential judicial safeguards and concentrates extraordinary authority in a single office.
This is not accountability; it is unchecked executive power.
Due process exists to ensure that accusations are tested through evidence, impartial review, and transparent legal proceedings.
SB1134 bypasses those protections entirely, allowing punishment first and justification later—if at all. A system where an allegation alone can trigger removal from office undermines the presumption of innocence and weakens constitutional norms that protect everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
The democratic consequences are profound. Local officials are elected to represent their communities—not to serve at the pleasure of a governor.
Under SB1134, voters could see their chosen representatives removed overnight, not by courts or ethics commissions, but by executive decree.
That reality creates a chilling effect on local governance, discouraging elected leaders from taking positions that might conflict with state leadership.
Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community
For LGBTQ+ communities, the dangers are especially acute. Across Florida, many local governments have served as critical safeguards by passing nondiscrimination protections, supporting inclusive education policies, funding community health initiatives, and resisting measures perceived as harmful to LGBTQ+ residents. SB1134 creates a mechanism through which officials who champion those protections could face immediate political retaliation disguised as “malfeasance.”
When suspension power is broad and undefined, advocacy itself can become a risk.
Mayors, school board members, and county commissioners who defend LGBTQ+ rights could reasonably fear removal simply for pursuing policies aligned with their constituents but opposed by state leadership. The result is not merely political tension—it is institutionalized intimidation, discouraging officials from protecting vulnerable communities.
The LGBTQ+ community already faces heightened concerns around access to healthcare, education, and civil protections.
A law enabling swift executive suspension of supportive local leaders threatens to silence some of the few governmental voices advocating for inclusion and safety.
By destabilizing local representation, SB1134 risks stripping LGBTQ+ residents of democratic allies and weakening local autonomy precisely where marginalized communities often find protection.
A Threat to Democracy and Equal Protection
Laws meant to address misconduct must strengthen trust in government, not erode it.
SB1134 instead merges accusation, judgment, and punishment into a single executive action—undermining judicial independence and voter sovereignty alike. No governor, regardless of party or ideology, should wield the authority to override elections without prior judicial review.
Florida deserves accountability systems rooted in fairness, transparency, and constitutional balance.
SB1134 moves in the opposite direction, creating a pathway for political punishment, suppressing dissenting local leadership, and placing vulnerable communities—including LGBTQ+ Floridians—at greater risk of losing representation and protection under the law.
This is the most disgusting morally corrupt group of legislators - Florida is no longer a welcoming state and I CALL ON ANYONE THINKING OF VISITING THIS STATE NOT TO DO IT
My dad lives in FL ~ he's in his 90's ~ he and his wife (not my mother!) are trumpers. I cannot bring myself to visit. In fact, I cannot visit any state that has draconian laws regarding the queer community. BOYCOTT FLORIDA!!
That’s has to be very hard but I understand your situation
I agree Fl should be boycotted
One more reason not to spend my disposable income in Florida, and further confirmation that Florida is full of stupid people, with apologies to my smart friends who live in the Sunshine State.
I've been boycotting it since 2022. I don't by anything grown or manufactured there either.
Simply, it is time that we boycott Florida: no visits, no spending of dollars, whatsoever.
And we must convince our friends who are LGB that supporting trans rights in their fight to secure LGB rights and freedoms is in our collective best interest.
What does this mean? We must ALL boycott EVERY state that is imposing anti-trans laws in their states, e.g., Kansas this past week.
We are all in this together and we must fight this together.
(First, they came for the trans community, but I was not trans...)
Florida, Texas, and Kansas are already on Erin’s Do Not Travel list. She periodically runs an article with a map of all 50 states and their level of trans support or oppression.
I think the vast majority of LGBTQ people understand that we are in this together. The propagandists try to make us believe LGB people increasingly want to go their own way, but I've not heard this expressed by any actual, real, three-dimensional LGB person I've met.
Seems like any government support or acknowledgement of St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo would run afoul of these DEI restrictions. Filing suit against those might be a good way to raise a stink and get the bill into court.
And so we continue to march toward full authoritarian governance, state by state. I went to high school in Florida, so very sad to see it's takeover by an autocratic Repub party (which is really the Trump party) and am grateful to be back in the Pacific NW - it is by no means perfect but at least WA (the western part) is about as diametrically opposed to what's happening in Florida as you can get. Even with that, my trans family members are traumatized. I have good friends in Florida who are aghast but not feeling empowered to do anything about it, sad to say.
I grew up in Florida and moved out 40 years ago. The last time I visited was in 2012 and I will never go back again!
I’m originally from Florida I left in 2010. The people I know have not batted an eye. I’m only hearing of all this from Erin. But we also all transitioned in the 80’s 90’s …these are also street kids who will throw hands if needs be.
Now I am concerned with the ones who are not stealth and in careers whom protections can all go out the window.
I know a trans teacher that just retired. She said she doesn’t have time for all that Florida foolishness. She’s been a teacher for like 30 plus years
It’s unbelievable that cis white men are so triggered by the LGBTQIA community. When a sitting governor has the permission to control all other elected officials, then you have the same problem as Russia. When will Floridians finally get tired of this.
This is fucking insane. This nation is a steaming pile of cow dung, led by Captain Cow Patty himself.
Surely this will be challenged in Florida courts.