Ron DeSantis is a little man.  He’s also a big liar.  He wears 4″ lifts in boots that he wears every BUT totally denies this. As residents of Florida, we simply do not care how he lies about the little things ….. in fact, like most people, we really couldn’t give a damn.  What really gets us riled up is his little mind that he determinedly uses to make big issues for others who do not fit into his  narrow perspective of life.  Like the queer community, who are constant targets for his enormous anger/hatred.

The latest bad news is that Monroe County, Florida, home to the Florida Keys, will stop spending public funds to promote several LGBTQ events that draw thousands of tourists to Key West each year.  The county announced the decision on May 5, citing a law signed by DeSantis last month prohibiting public money from being spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The law bars preferential treatment or special benefits for groups based on characteristics such as race, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Despite the economic boost LGBTQ events provide to Key West, organizers — including the Key West Business Guild, an LGBTQ marketing organization — will no longer be eligible for reimbursement starting January 1, 2027.

Popular LGBTQ events include the Key West Pride Festival and Pride Parade, the all-male Tropical Heat festival, the all-female Key West Womenfest, and the Key West Headdress Ball, where contestants showcase elaborate headdresses and compete for a cash prize The Guild has already received more than $135,000 for 2026 to promote those events, meaning current plans do not have to change. But once the ban takes effect in 2027, organizers will have to rely on private donations and business sponsorships to help fund and promote the events.

Rob Dougherty, executive director of the Key West Business Guild, also warned that roughly $50,000 in annual funding for the Guild’s Gay Key West Visitor Center could be at risk under the anti-DEI law. But he argued that LGBTQ events — which generate tourism revenue for Key West — are not receiving “preferential treatment” when reimbursed by the council. He also criticized Monroe County officials for citing the law as justification for cutting off the funds.

Joe Saunders, senior political director for the statewide LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida, said during an April 17 presentation that the law does not prohibit local governments from issuing permits for events that are ineligible for funding. As such, he said he remains hopeful that vendors and the Pride parade will not be affected.