Travel advice for Florida issued amid ‘hostile’ environment towards people of colour and LGBTQ+

Groups representing Black and Latino Americans warn of a ‘hostile’ environment towards people of colour and LGBTQ+ in Florida.

British holidaymakers travelling to Florida, US have been warned of a ‘hostile’ environment towards people of colour and LGBTQ+ individuals. The travel advice comes in response to Governor Ron DeSantis' making a series of controversial announcements. . 

The warnings from groups representing Black and Latino Americans come as Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, is expected to enter the presidential race in 2024 with a platform based on the conservative agenda he's fostered in the state.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who issued the advice said: "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of colour and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before travelling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalises the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of colour." 

Florida has prohibited the teaching of critical race theory, which recognises institutional racism as a part of American history and questions the assumptions that permitted it to grow. According to the governor, the approach would educate youngsters that "the country is rotten and our institutions are illegitimate."

DeSantis has backed legislation that prohibits teaching that someone is privileged or oppressed because of their race or skin colour. His administration also vetoed a prototype version of a new Advanced Placement course in African American studies for high school students, claiming that it "significantly lacks educational value."

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said: "Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all.

"Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become ho