Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved legislation to eliminate local diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The new law bans local governments from funding or supporting Pride events.
.@GovRonDeSantis signs off on kill shot for local DEI; sponsors @Clay_Yarborough, @DeanBlackFL celebrate their bills becoming law
Reporting by @AGGancarski#FlaPolhttps://t.co/HKA9E2mPjt
— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) April 22, 2026
From Orlando’s NBC affiliate WESH:
“Local county commissioners, elected city commissioners, can be removed from office if they violate this anti-diversity, vague law that’s been passed,” said State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando), who opposed the bill along with other Democratic lawmakers.
Smith told WESH 2 that while there are several exceptions in the bill, it prohibits cities and counties from supporting LGBTQ events.
“They wouldn’t be able to actively promote things like Pride celebrations and Pride festivals, even though they would be able to promote other multicultural celebrations in their communities, and that feels very targeted,” Smith said.
Equality Florida issued a statement which read, in part:
The legislation is designed to intimidate cities and counties that celebrate and support the diverse communities they serve.
Written in broad and ambiguous language, the bill is the most extreme of its kind in the country, creating confusion and fear for local governments that recognize LGBTQ residents and other communities that contribute to the strength and vibrancy of Florida’s cities.
Debate over the bill made expressly clear that LGBTQ people were a central target of the legislation. The public record, the bill sponsors’ own statements, and hours of legislative debate revealed the animus driving the effort to pressure local governments into pulling back from recognizing or resourcing programs targeting LGBTQ residents and other historically marginalized communities.
During the legislative process, House Speaker Daniel Perez noted that the legislation doesn’t ban Pride events in the Sunshine State, BUT it does place new restrictions on local governments supporting or promoting them.
BREAKING: The Florida House passed the sweeping and dangerously vague “Anti-Diversity in Local Government” bill (HB 1001 / SB 1134) by a vote of 77-37, sending another bill rooted in anti-LGBTQ animus to DeSantis’ desk for final signature.
Press release: https://t.co/9uoOMhcFRd pic.twitter.com/UfjOO7DcFA
— Equality Florida (@equalityfl) March 10, 2026
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