DeSantis Angry After 'Don't Say Gay' Law Trounced By NYC On Billboards

FLORIDA — Sending a message to Florida’s LGBTQ+ residents following the passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, New York City erected five billboards across the Sunshine State denouncing the controversial law and touting the city as a welcoming place for the gay community.

One ad reads, “Come to the city where you can say whatever you want.” The word “gay” is also printed dozens of times in bright colors across the billboard.

“People say a lot of ridiculous things in New York. ‘Don’t Say Gay’ isn’t one of them,” reads another ad.

Meanwhile, the three other billboard ads have the following messages:

• “When other states show their true colors, we show ours.”
• “Loud. Proud. Still allowed.”
• “New York City is alive. And so is free speech.”

The so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill limits discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida's elementary schools, and also restricts how these topics can be discussed by older students. It was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, after passing both the state Senate and House, at the end of March.

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The legislation says classroom instruction on "sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade three or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students."

The bill also opens the doors for parents to sue Florida schools if these discussions take place, and it requires schools to alert parents if there's any change to a student's mental, emotional or physical health.

New York City’s new billboards went up in five major cities — Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach — starting this past Monday. They’ll remain on display for eight weeks.

“This political showmanship of attempting to demonize a particular group or community is unacceptable and we are going to loudly show our support and say to those living in Florida, ‘Listen, we want you here in New York,’” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Monday, according to Politico.

The ad campaign has earned the ire of Florida’s governor.

During a news conference about infrastructure Tuesday, while comparing the budgets in New York and Florida, DeSantis said of New York City’s ad campaign, "They're saying you can say whatever you want. But they're the ones who will force a mask on your face and muzzle you in public."

He also said, “New York is doing billboards telling people come to New York from Florida — they're wasting taxpayer money on doing that.”

The billboards aren’t paid for using taxpayer money, though. They’re funded by private donations.