'We don't live in a time where we can just kind of separate what happens online from what happens in the real world,' said mmfa's Ari Drennen Pride planners are facing higher insurance and security bills because of anti-LGBTQ disinformation and hate
LGBTQ organizers in the United States say they are facing higher security and insurance bills for pride events as rhetoric against the community heats up
"We made the decision to cancel the festival this year," said Kendra Walker, president of Pride Houston 365, downgrading the plans to a parade. "I didn't realize there was going to be that much of a real shake-up," said Carrie West, president of Tampa Pride, which in May canceled an outdoor festival after some sponsors said they were worried about running afoul of the new laws.
"There are broad threats, and it's definitely coming from the anti-woke crowd and their encouragement of their followers to disrupt events," said David Clarke, spokesperson for NYC Pride, the largest such group in North America. " we have very robust security plans and we have for years. So it's kind of business as usual, I think."
Kristina Bozanich, a photographer who spearheads the celebration, told AFP the drag performers "didn't feel safe" after DeSantis signed the Protection of Children Act, which prohibits admitting children into "adult live performances." "I did post on one of the Port St. Lucie regular pages on Facebook about our pride party, and people just started making remarks about grooming kids," said PJ Ashley, president of the nonprofit Sanctuary of the Treasure Coast.
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