LGBTQ+ people attend Gay Days in Florida

Name: LGBTQ+ people attend Gay Days in Florida
Uploaded: 03 Jun 2023, 08:57:49 PM
Duration: 02:06
Channel: TIMESOFINDIA.COM

| Jun 03, 2023, 08:57:49 PM | AP

Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition.Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws — spurring the most prominent gay rights group in the U.S. and other civil rights organizations to issue warnings the Sunshine State may no longer be safe — Gay Days organizers are still encouraging visitors from around the world to come to one of Florida’s largest gay and lesbian celebrations.They say a large turnout will send a message that LGBTQ+ people are not going away in Florida, which is continually one of the most popular states for tourists to visit.Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are expected to flock to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition.Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws — spurring the most prominent gay rights group in the U.S. and other civil rights organizations to issue warnings the Sunshine State may no longer be safe — Gay Days organizers are still encouraging visitors from around the world to come to one of Florida’s largest gay and lesbian celebrations.They say a large turnout will send a message that LGBTQ+ people are not going away in Florida, which is continually one of the most popular states for tourists to visit.Gov. DeSantis has also been in an ongoing feud with Disney.While Disney said DeSantis' actions amount to violation of corporate free speech, DeSantis has said it's simply a matter of taking away a privilege Disney was given decades ago that doesn't apply to any other business in the state.Gay Days entertainment director Chantel Reshae and attendee Joe Zimmer offer their perspectives on what Gay Days had meant to the LGBTQ+ community in the past and present.Gay Days runs through Sunday at Walt Disney World in Orlando.