Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, known for his anti-woke agenda and presidential aspirations, is now facing the consequences of his cultural war. The state is witnessing a significant exodus of convention business, resulting in a detrimental economic impact. The repercussions of discriminatory legislation, enacted by DeSantis and the Florida legislature, have led to organizations pulling out of the state and demanding a more inclusive environment.
One such organization is AnitaB.org, based in California, which has decided not to return to Florida until the legislation is overturned and the state becomes more welcoming to all. Brenda Darden Wilkerson, the head of AnitaB.org, emphasized the need for vigilance to protect the rights of women and nonbinary technologists. Their annual Grace Hopper Celebration, hosting 16,000 women technologists, will be relocating from Orlando/Orange County Convention Center after this year’s gathering.
Wilkerson cited a range of discriminatory laws, including restrictions on abortion, crackdowns on illegal immigration, and the lifting of permit requirements for carrying concealed guns in public. These measures, along with others aimed at erasing the identities and dignities of historically marginalized and excluded groups, including Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and Indigenous people, have fueled the decision to withdraw from Florida.
The impact of the exodus is being felt not only in terms of conventions but also in the business sector. Walt Disney Co. recently abandoned plans for a $1 billion corporate campus in Orlando, resulting in the loss of 2,000 high-paying jobs for the region. Furthermore, DeSantis’s anti-woke crusade has prompted travel advisories from multiple organizations, including Equality Florida, HRC, and the NAACP, due to concerns about the health, safety, and freedom of visitors.
Despite DeSantis’s efforts to “destroy leftism in this country,” his approval rating has taken a sharp decline. Online polling company Civiqs revealed that his approval rating has fallen 19 points since January and continues to drop after his controversial 2024 announcement on Twitter. With only 36 percent of respondents holding a favorable view of DeSantis in the latest poll, and 55 percent disapproving of his leadership, it appears that his approach may not resonate with a majority of the public.
The convention exodus and economic blowback faced by Florida serve as a reminder that policies promoting discrimination can have severe consequences, both socially and economically. As organizations and individuals seek environments that prioritize inclusivity and equality, the impact on states with divisive agendas like Florida’s becomes increasingly apparent.