I was asked by my department head if I was interested in being the faculty representative at the big women in computing conference in Orlando. I replied that as a trans woman it's now “functionally illegal" for me to go to Florida. As in technically not illegal, but impossible to do so in a way that both complies with the law and is safe. Shocked that it's come to this. #Transgender #Florida
@fullyabstract FWIW, Orlando is not Tallahassee.
Our town is inclusive and covered in pride flags. I have a progress pride flag waving over my front door right now, just east of downtown Orlando, and the touristy areas are even more welcoming.
We voted against this bullshit. Orlando, Tampa, and Miami are the resistance. We have a trans population here and LGBTQ outreach organizations and a killer pride parade. You definitely should not feel unsafe in these cities (at least no more so than any other city).
That said, I understand if you still don't want to.
@LouisIngenthron @fullyabstract the whole state is unsafe
@voron @fullyabstract Demonstrably untrue. I, and many other LGBTQ people, live here perfectly safely.
@LouisIngenthron @voron @fullyabstract
I can believe that some cities in Florida are safer for LGBTQ folks than others. But I don't believe for a minute that any member of the LGBTQ community is "perfectly" safe anywhere in that state. Particularly when it comes to trans people of color. I wouldn't even say that San Francisco, where I live, is perfectly safe for trans folks.
Flying pride flags is nice, but a very long way from guaranteeing safety.
@funcrunch Right, nowhere on earth is "perfectly safe", but I meant that it was no less safe than the average American city, and I stand by that.
Still don't buy that. Especially not when it comes to trans folks of color.
@funcrunch Every other business here has a sticker by the door with a pride flag designating it as a safe space. Our LGBTQ center just started a multimillion dollar renovation. We paint landmarks in the city with the pride colors and we'll never forget what happened at Pulse, nor how the community banded together after it happened.
We also showed our support for people of color in summer 2020 where the protests were so massive, I couldn't see the beginning or end from the middle.
Nowhere is perfect, but Orlando has a strong community that stands by those who have been marginalized.
@LouisIngenthron @funcrunch so because you, a white dude, feels safe, there’s no reason for a trans woman, part of a group that has been specifically targeted by the state and all its legal powers, should feel unsafe?
“I don’t have any problems, so you won’t either.”
Is that really your view?
Also, it seems not everyone in Orlando is down: https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/orlando-police-investigate-hateful-anti-gay-message-written-traffic-si-rcna85315
