Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new bill banning local governments from supporting Pride celebrations and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The legislation, known as SB 1134, prohibits counties, municipalities, contractors, and grantees from using public funds to promote DEI or maintain related offices and personnel.
The legislation prohibits local governments from establishing or maintaining DEI offices, officers, or programs. It also requires grant recipients to certify that public funds will not be used to advance DEI and provides enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for officials who violate the law. Speaking in Jacksonville, DeSantis described DEI as an ideological construct that promotes a political agenda, adding that certain groups, including white men, have been negatively impacted.
Under the new law, violations could be classified as misfeasance or malfeasance in office. The measure is the latest in a series of actions targeting Pride-related initiatives across the state.
