ABOVE: Photo via FDACS.
TALLAHASSEE | Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services unveiled a new online resource for LGBTQ Floridians Dec. 21 on the FDACS website.
The LGBTQ Resources Page contains anti-bullying information for parents, educators and youth. It also highlights the LGBTQ-inclusive efforts taken by the department under Fried’s leadership as the only statewide-elected Democrat.
Its addition follows the removal of a similar resource by the Florida Department of Education under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Officials removed a page Dec. 6 that supplied anti-bullying information to help create safer schools and address high rates of suicide among LGBTQ and other youth.
Fried immediately denounced the decision, calling it “yet another example of Governor DeSantis ignoring and erasing the needs of the LGBTQ community in our state.” She noted that LGBTQ students experience higher rates of bullying and suicide, and as such “it is crucial that state leaders do everything in our power to advocate for these students and provide them with these important resources to foster a safe learning environment for all.”
Equality Florida echoed the commissioner. Executive Director Nadine Smith stressed that “vulnerable youth deserve better than a DeSantis Administration intent on putting them in harm’s way in order to score cheap political points.”
Announcing the LGBTQ Resources Page, Fried said in a statement that “improving the health, safety, and prosperity of all Floridians, including the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ Floridians, is my top priority as a member of the Cabinet.
“It’s so important that LGBTQ Floridians know that they matter, there are resources to help and that we will continue to advocate for them,” she continued. “That’s why I believe it’s imperative that we make these resources available. We need to be doing more for LGBTQ Floridians, not less.”
Nathan Bruemmer, who was appointed by Fried as the department’s LGBTQ Consumer Advocate in June, also celebrated the website’s launch.
“With resources and information we have the power to affect change, without resources we can’t do that,” Bruemmer shared. “Our LGBTQ students experience bullying and harassment at higher rates. Working to prevent bullying and harassment should be our collective priority. Providing resources makes our priorities clear and let’s our students know we see you and we want you to feel safe.”
“LGBTQ students need more support in our schools, not less,” Equality Florida subsequently shared via social media. “We applaud the launch of these critical resources by FDACS.”
Fried, who is also running for governor, added that “While Ron DeSantis is cruel for cruelty’s sake, we’re making sure we’re filling the gap and not letting anyone fall through the cracks.”
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus weighed in as well, thanking Fried for her longtime support. “The new LGBTQ Resources page is a welcome addition, and it stands in stark contrast to the Department of Education trying to erase us,” the organization wrote.
For more information and to view FDACS’ LGBTQ Resource Page, click here.
