No, DeSantis isn't "winning" against Walt Disney World

Sinking into the ocean > RRR?

If you are going to choose to live your life by making decisions based on morale priorities...I'm not going to argue. But, if you do that, good luck. I'm guessing there aren't too many people who can say, unequivocally, that the device they are communicating with at this very moment wasn't made in a questionable way, under questionable conditions, or by individuals who aren't being taken advantage of.

I'd like to say that I was super conscientious about how and where I spend my money...but I don't have that kind of time. I try to buy American when possible, but that is limiting. I try to choose wisely about where I donate money but that gets restrictive. I have made decisions to do business with certain entities FOR their positions (support local owners, for instance) but I can't say that I make decisions about where I won't spend my money with any kind of morale high ground or consistency for that matter.

I see Modelo is now the number 1 beer in the nation, having supplanted Bud Light (and some would say due in part to their position on Dylan Mulvaney). Go do some research on Modelo's position on LGBTQ+ rights.

Jeff:

If you don't feel it's safe, or you feel that not coming here is an effective form or protest, I can respect your opinion, but I do not agree with it.

Boycotts can certainly be an effective form of protest if enough people partake in them. While I recognize that not every Floridian supports Desantis, the fact remains that Floridians alone are responsible for electing him. Elevating a bully like Desantis to a position of governorship gives him a big stump to spew hate/rhetoric far beyond Florida's borders, and encourages copycat behavior (and worse: one-upmanship) from other right-wing extremists. I don't like this, I don't want it and I will do what I can to prevent it.

I cannot vote against Desantis, but I can (along with lots of other people) give Florida an economic message that will hopefully cause them to re-think their choice for Governor next election. Johnny service worker's scheduled hours got cut in half? Maybe that will spur some activism against the problem? Maybe some of the left-leaning voters there will become less apathetic? Continuing to patronize Florida as if nothing is going on only encourages the status quo. I do feel badly for those non-Desantis voters caught in the crossfire, but again, this is Florida's problem to solve, not mine.

Wikipedia: "In 1993, Cincinnati, Ohio, passed Ballot Issue 3, an amendment to the city charter, which forbade the city from adopting or enforcing civil rights ordinances based on sexual orientation, the only municipality in the United States to pass such a restriction." That amendment cost my hometown a ton of business, events, and conventions back then, and I supported every single entity that decided to kick us to the curb and take their business elsewhere. We eventually repealed 3, and are now one of the best LGTBQ cities in the midwest

Change requires action. Continuing to patronize Florida as if nothing is happening won't change anything, and the only action I can really do from Ohio is boycott. With so many other places deserving of my money, it's an easy decision to make.

Mulfinator

Sunday, July 16, 2023 9:10 PM
sirloindude:

That travel advisory is more of a political label than a justifiable warning. Florida is hardly unsafe to anybody unless you want to go skinny-dipping in the Everglades or say something bad about Publix.

I think you are mostly correct. But let's not forget the Nazis outside Disney Springs. Granted this was an isolated incident and could happen anywhere in the US. But rhetoric leads to actions, as we've seen in our recent past. So I understand if someone of the LGBTQ community does not feel safe or welcome in the state of Floriduh.

I was in Fort Lauderdale this past spring - I would say a relatively LGBTQ-friendly part of FL. I was taken aback by white nationalists dressed in full masks and swastika, confederate and MAGA gear.... not sure what they were doing but they were right on Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd making some sort of scene. I walked quickly back to my hotel and another group was coming down the street. Was the only state I've personally witnessed something like that in.

Chicago07:
I was in Fort Lauderdale this past spring - I would say a relatively LGBTQ-friendly part of FL.

Ya think? Ft Lauderdale/Wilton Manors is a Gay capitol, and the number two city for LGBTQ+ residents and same-sex couples, behind Provincetown, Mass. Those Nazis knew exactly what they were doing there and I’m sure had a clear target that day.

Now Ohio Republicans have introduced a bill banning or restricting drag performances in certain public settings and criminalizing drag performers. The thought that rights around free speech would come under attack in my state is more than concerning, it’s frightening.

Shall I boycott Ohio? I mean, I can't vote for legislators there.

metallik:

the fact remains that Floridians alone are responsible for electing him.

This is a baby/bath water argument. It is not "Floridians," as we're not all the same people. See previous comments about borders and such.

• Governor does stupid things.
• Person avoids Florida.
• Governor does stupid things.
• People who didn't like you anyway votes for governor.
• Governor does stupid things.

Yeah, you're really sticking it to him, while everyone else is like, WTF do you have against us? If you want to be an activist, help us, don't avoid us.

If these boycotts are so effective, I would like to hear a recent example of one of these rage protests (and I’m not saying the anger isn’t warranted) that actually pushed an organization to change opinion or policy. I’m not saying it hasn’t happened. I just can’t think of an example.

Well Bud Light is hurting pretty bad right now, and they have changed their marketing strategy…

Jeff you seem to be taking both sides on this either:

1. This boycot is hurting Orlando business and thus is having an effect or

2. It’s pointless and ineffective

Businesses will react to lower business by doing things that affect the local population (firing/reducing hours) which will then cause local hardship which leads to a dissatisfied populace that will want to “vote the bums out.” Does it stink that their is collateral damage, yes yes it does, but if you believe a greater injustice is being done then it’s what you have to do.

Note, I’m not boycotting FL at the moment but I certainly sympathize with those that are.

I remember when Mike Pence enacted the Religious Freedom Protection Act and major corporations, sports organizations, and entertainers threatened to or actually did pull out of the state of Indiana. Some made good on their promise while there were cities and states that issued travel advisories.
I can’t recall what happened with that, but it somehow seemed like a more serious, louder-voiced protest and possibly more effective than if scattered individuals boycott someplace like Gatlinburg. I’d agree that it would amount to not enough drops to empty that bucket. However, it’s a tough spot for organizations are faced with what to tell concerned members of their community. No one is going to send the advice that it’s ok to head to Tennessee and empty their purses anyway.
I remember a lengthy discussion we had here regarding Orlando/Disney Pride back in June. We finally had to admit that the event would go off anyway, prideful people from around the world would go extra loud and proud and show up and send the message that no one is going away that fast.
Honestly, I can see both sides of the protest issue. As someone who visited Dollywood with a certain amount of trepidation not to mention overwhelming guilt, I can say that the tourism industry there will thrive with or without me.
And the overall climate seems different these days than the protest over Indiana’s shenanigans back in the 10’s. This current wave of hatred and the accompanying legislation seems to be snowballing. It’s hard to think that something like the next election cycle will bring about desired change when both sides are so firmly entrenched in their beliefs.

“Until a drag queen walks into a school and beats eight children to death with a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird I think you’re focusing on the wrong s**t.
-Wanda Sykes (who always says it best)

The North Carolina transgender bathroom bill from 2016 comes to mind. North Carolina lost almost $4 billion in revenue and cost the Governor his job. That was largely because major corporations and sporting events decided to do business elsewhere. It's troubling looking back to see that we are definitely on the wrong track.

I firmly believe that we are seeing an uptick in anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ, etc. lately because of the make up of the Supreme Court. These bills/laws will assuredly find their way to the courts. With a 6-3 majority I wouldn't be surprised if the conservative justices side with the states who are passing barbaric legislation. Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch are as close to a lock as you can get. Roberts may side with the liberal justices as he has been known to do. It all comes down to Kavanaugh and Coney Barrett.

SCOTUS is getting some things wrong, obviously, but I'm also surprised at how many things they're getting right. A lot of this stuff is not surviving court challenges, especially the silly drag show stuff. And it's surprising how many state constitutions actually counter the abortion bans.

Jeff:

Shall I boycott Ohio? I mean, I can't vote for legislators there.

If the Ohio government was acting the way Florida is right now, I would encourage you to boycott. Fortunately, DeWine is a pretty normal republican, and while I disagree with some of his policies, I generally respect him as a competent governor.

Jeff:
People who didn't like you anyway votes for governor.

One hope is that "People who don't like deteriorating business climate will vote for more normal governor."

From NYT article about Cincinnati in 2015:

"Various forces have been at work in changing attitudes. Procter & Gamble, a prominent corporation whose headquarters are here, became concerned that an anti-gay reputation would hurt business."

Perhaps some businesses in Florida will feel the same way.

(https://www.nytimes.com/201...-past.html)

Which businesses are those? We don't have anything other than tourism. You can't exactly move a theme park and thousands of hotel rooms.

Indiviual boycotts are mostly ineffective and may be good for the conscience (which isn’t nothing) but don’t particularly move the needle, politically. In order for that to happen, the boycotters would need to organize, have a unified front and messaging, and make a call to action from the government. Absent those things, one might feel better about themselves or even feel like they’re making a difference, but they’re not.

Like Occupy Wall Street. Remember them? I don't either.

They were more influential than our short memories will allow.

Yeah? How much financial regulation was reestablished because of the collective?

Andy isn't wrong. Organized groups with clear messaging, demands, and leadership CAN be effective in making change. Quick examples off the top of my head include the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Occupy Wall Street failed to make regulatory changes in the financial world because they lacked demands and leadership. That's not to say that they haven't had an influence. Most of the recent movements have been clearly decentralized. You could also make the argument that the movement changed our sensibilities and made protest much more accessible to the youth of America.

Boycott Florida and Ohio. Go to Disneyland Paris, they have a better drone show! Or Tokyo Disney, they have better everything Disney!

I remember the good old days when we only had to boycott Cedar Fair because Kinzel closed Geauga Lake on purpose. A simpler time.