Could The Gays Unseat DeSantis In Florida?
Since House Bill 1557 was introduced, better known as the Don’t Say Gay law by critics, Florida-state residents have reported feeling like Governor DeSantis and the Republican Party are on an anti-LGBTQIA+ crusade. According to Advocate, this exact tactic might be DeSantis’ undoing come elections in November.
YOU MEAN TO SAY A CAMPAIGN OF HATE ISN’T CUTTING IT?
The Republican Party have skewed far right in their policies in 2022 and Ron DeSantis is no different. From banning abortions and gender-affirming healthcare to outlawing mention of gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms, the queer community rightly feel there’s a campaign working against them.
This campaign of dividing the public by using fear has, thus far, reaped results for conservatives. Most recently, voters have been turning against DeSantis’ strategy such as when he suspended the State Attorney for refusing to prosecute on Florida’s abortion ban.
According to a recent poll conducted by GLAAD, LGBTQIA+ voters and allies are turning against this policy by deciding to show up to vote DeSantis out.
The poll states that 77% of LGBTQIA+ voters and allies feel it’s important to vote to save their basic human rights with an equal 77% holding unfavourable opinions toward the governor. Furthermore, 67% of voters are extremely motivated to show up come elections in November.
In the US, it isn’t compulsory to vote and to motivate a base to show up can be difficult for politicians. It seems Ron DeSantis is being effective at motivating voters, it just seems like he’s attracting the wrong ones. With GLAAD showing that 71% believe that the Don’t Say Gay law was an intentional attack on rights and 70% feeling it’s extremely damaging, it looks likely DeSantis will have a tough battle ahead of him to keep his seat.
With 5% of Florida’s constituents identifying as LGBTQIA+, the Democratic party is looking at a potential win especially considering DeSantis won his seat in 2018 by a narrow 32,000 votes, reports Advocate. It’s more important than ever that the queer community fights and uses their votes to unseat somebody helming a campaign to overturn their rights.
