Another gay group warns against travel to Florida

The nation's largest LGBT rights advocacy group on Tuesday joined a state group in issuing a travel advisory warning gay travelers of the alleged risks of moving to or visiting Florida.

The Sunshine State has faced intense scrutiny from LGBT groups over its Parental Rights in Education law that critics have maligned as a "Don't Say Gay" bill. The state has also banned gender treatments for minors and restricted drag shows to adult audiences.

The Human Rights Campaign contended that its recommendation was "not a blanket recommendation against travel nor a call for boycott."

"Because of Ron DeSantis and his frenzied appeal to extremists, LGBTQ+ people in Florida are finding themselves in a state of emergency every single day. Since the day he took office, Governor DeSantis has weaponized his position to weave bigotry, hate, and discrimination into public law for his own political gain," said HRC President Kelley Robinson.

"Those who visit must join us in their vocal opposition to these dangerous policies," Robinson continued. "Those who pick another place to work, to go to school or to spend their vacation should make clear why they're not heading to Florida. And to all of our friends and family in Florida, we stand with you and with Equality Florida -- we'll keep working hard to make Florida feel more like the home you deserve it to be."

Equality Florida issued its original travel advisory in mid-April. Earlier this month, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) warned that "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

Also on Tuesday, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott appeared to respond to the various warnings from advocacy groups by issuing a travel advisory of his own, warning socialists against visiting the Sunshine State.

"The state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by Socialists and others who work in the Biden Administration," he said. "Let me be clear – any attempts to spread the oppression and poverty that Socialism always brings will be rebuffed by the people of Florida."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.