Come Out With Pride Orlando holds its yearly festival and parade at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, and its organizers say a state law that has not yet taken effect is already changing how public officials take part.
What the law does
Senate Bill 1134, titled "Official Actions of Local Governments," prohibits Florida counties and municipalities from funding, promoting or taking official action on diversity, equity and inclusion, according to the Florida Senate's bill summary. Under the measure, a local official who breaks those rules while acting officially can be found to have committed misfeasance or malfeasance.
It cleared the Senate 25-11 and the House 77-37, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved it on April 22, and it becomes law on Jan. 1, 2027, as Chapter 2026-43. It applies to every county and city in the state, including Seminole County and Winter Springs.
Sen. Clay Yarborough, the Jacksonville Republican who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said at the April signing that "decisions should be based on merit," Jacksonville Today reported, and argued that DEI efforts set groups against one another while adding costs for taxpayers.
The House sponsor, Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville, told the outlet the goal is getting the best value for taxpayers on government contracts rather than pursuing social change.
What organizers say
Tatiana Quiroga, who leads Come Out With Pride Orlando as its executive director, told Orlando Weekly that parade participation has fallen, especially among elected officials and candidates. She also said the city told her it would not hang rainbow banners downtown this year. A city spokesperson told the paper she could not immediately confirm that account.
Jon Harris Maurer, policy director for the advocacy group Equality Florida, told Orlando Weekly he views the law as designed to push local governments toward self-censorship, and said cities are still sorting out how to comply.
