Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Being criticized by LGBT + activists after officials Jackson Building I was told to turn off the lights that were installed to help. Pride Month..
According to the City of Jacksonville, the Florida Department of Transportation has instructed Acosta Bridge to turn off the rainbow lights because it is “out of compliance.”
The lights were only on on Monday’s Pride Month and were scheduled to be on for a week before the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) was instructed to turn off the rainbow lights.
The JTA said in a statement: “FDOT has notified JTA that the planned color scheme for Acosta Bridge does not comply with existing permits. JTA will respond.”
FDOT spokesmen did not immediately reveal which parts of the lighting were not compliant. Jacksonville.com With the current permission, “I understand that a particular color palette is available.”
FDOT said News4Jax The Florida Governor’s office was not involved in the decision, and was a local issue under investigation by the Florida Department of Transportation.
A statement from the FDOT said, “The beautiful lighting of the Acosta Bridge is owned and operated by JTA. Questions about lighting systems, features and permits should be contacted by JTA.”
Not only this, the FDOT’s recent decision on LGBT + issues rejected requests from the FDOT. Sarasota To turn the Ring Ring Causeway Bridge into a rainbow of pride months Sarasota Herald Tribune report.
Both bridges are often lit up in different colors and at events such as Autism Acceptance Month, Memorial Day, and NFL matches.
According to the FDOT’s Bridge Lighting Policy, the Department reserves the right to deny requests that it considers offensive or in the best interests of the public. Herald Tribune report.
The bridge is state-owned but is operated by the city authorities with permission.
Protesters are organizing a pride-supporting procession across the Acosta Bridge on Saturday, according to one group. Facebook This page is for more than 250 people.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), this follows an increasing number of Republican attacks on LGBT + groups, with more than 75 legislations targeting transgender people at the state level. ..
DeSantis recently approved a budget to remove funding for LGBT + groups after signing a law in Florida banning transgender athletes from women’s sports. put forward report.
Independent We contacted DeSantis and the FDOT office for further comment.
Source link Pride lights removed from Florida bridges after DeSantis signed anti-LGBT + bill