Florida Man
What the heck is going on in Florida? And for that matter, Texas and Tennessee. The news out of these GOP-led states is sickening. Just the other day two young African Americans were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives for having the gall to stand up and fight for gun reform. In a state that just had another mass shooting at a school. Republicans way overplayed that hand because now—thankfully—people, especially Gen Z, are fired up.
That doesn’t seem to be the case in Florida where Governor Ron DeSantis has been ruling with an iron fist. The wannabe presidential nominee has waged a war against the LGBTQ community, specifically transgender youth. He has also decided that Mickey Mouse is his public enemy number one. Picking fights with your state’s largest employer is seldom wise. Who is advising this guy?
I lived in Florida for many years. I was a teacher in Florida for many years. From 2004-2013 I taught middle- and high-school English in Miami. I lived in South Beach and Fort Lauderdale. I actually LOVED it.
I taught in great schools with amazing teachers, where I learned how to be a better teacher. All three administrations were supportive and helpful. I advised clubs like the Safety Patrol Club, Future Educators of America, and the Diversity Action Club. I coached swimming and cross-country teams. I was awarded Coach of the Year in 2012.
Personally, life in Florida was easier than life in New York City, where I currently live. Compared to Florida, teaching in the NYC school system was like day and night. More like day and nightmare. After a few years of constant battles, constant frustration, and constant stress I made the very tough decision to leave teaching.
As an activist in the queer community I have been dismayed with the book bans and the Don’t Say Gay laws enacted in the once Sunshine State. How did it get so bad? How did Florida turn so red so fast?
So, what do we do about Florida? Many have suggested boycotting the state. They say we should not give any of our tourism dollars to a state where public schools have erased any and all mentions of the word gay, and where classroom libraries are non-existent. “If the state is going to arrest me for having a queer-themed book in my classroom, I am not taking that chance. All books are gone,” said one scared educator. How are parents OK with this?
Instead of boycotting the state, I am taking the other route…I am moving back. Didn’t see that one coming, did you?
For me, it is the best decision. I am a single, gay man. A queer activist who will join the resistance movement in Florida. I will be working with gun control groups and voter registration groups to do my part to change what’s wrong into what’s right.
On a purely selfish level, my quality of life was way better in Fort Lauderdale than in NYC. When I lived there, Fort Lauderdale was way more affordable than NYC. I have heard through the grapevine that’s not the case anymore. That being said, NYC is tough. I love it, but it’s loud, it’s crowded, and it has winter—which is very cold and lasts a solid four months.
If I were the parent of a queer or trans child, I would do my best to get them out of the state. If I had a son or daughter looking at colleges, college in a red state would not be an option. Those situations are different than mine.
Will I teach down there? As I write this column, I have no plans to teach in a state where you can’t say gay. If I am in desperate need of money, I might have to revisit that. But there are many other jobs that would allow me to preserve my self-respect.
So, as I start packing my bags and head back to a place I loved many years ago, I am skittish yet hopeful. I’m confident things will get better. I still believe good does prevail over evil.
Wherever you are, I urge you to get involved, too. It’s time to fight back however you can do that, even if it’s just voting blue. Each one of us can make a difference.
Come visit me in the soon-to-be-shining-again Sunshine State! ▼
Robert Dominic has been splitting his time between Brooklyn and Rehoboth Beach. He writes for publications including Instinct Magazine and his own blog, “The Gays of Our Lives.”