Lake Worth Beach Florida Declares Itself LGBTQIA+(Say it Fast!)

 

 

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (TND) — A Florida city declared itself a sanctuary for "LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families" this week.

The measure, which affirms Lake Worth Beach’s “commitment to protecting human rights for all individuals,” was introduced at a meeting of the Lake Worth Beach City Commission Tuesday and passed in a unanimous vote.

“The City of Lake Worth Beach shall now and forever be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, a welcoming and supportive city for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families to live in peace and comfort,” the resolution reads.

The city also acknowledged recent legislation passed throughout the country which, in its view, denies respect to members of the LGBT community.

“In the current 2023 legislative session, 491 such bills in 46 states have been introduced and many passed into law, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),” it reads. “These bills infringe on human rights and restrict fundamentals like healthcare and education and the basic enjoyment of their lives.” 

A background document on the resolution explained that the city has previously been home to “generations of LGBTQIA+ people.”

We will continue to celebrate the generations of LGBTQIA+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically,” the document reads. “The City will also continue to support the generational work to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.”

The NAACP previously issued a travel advisory that warned that “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.” The advisory was met with strong backlash from Florida lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose spokesperson called the advisory "a stunt."