The hot topic of the tropics: Boycotts against Florida are building. Lately, many Canadians are also boycotting the state, selling their Floridian homes and canceling trips in response to comments made by the US government. In the past few years, many groups and countries have advised against travel to the state in response to legislation passed by governor DeSantis. Subjects relate to LGBTQ+, African American and woke topics, plus gender identity and expression, immigration, relaxed gun laws, and a law allowing doctors to refuse medical treatment to patients based on their conscience or opinion on non-medical related qualities of the patient.

I experienced this last one in Florida while in the dentist chair: The oral surgeon stopped in the middle of a root canal and refused to continue until I provided an acceptable answer why I was a single woman not currently married to a man.

The concerns are real. A recent headline refers to “Florida” suing a major retailer regarding their promotion of LGBTQ+ and other products. Concurrently, I saw a photo and headline of the over 4-mile-long Sunshine Skyway Bridge leading into St Petersburg lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate their Winter Pride Festival. Like the rainbow bridge leading to Valhalla, except it’s St Pete, with rainbow-colored businesses and same-gender couples walking openly hand in hand.

Tampa Bay

I spent a year living and working in St Petersburg and St Pete Beach and explored much of the area. Joie de vivre is de rigueur in Tampa Bay, St Pete, Clearwater, and the neighboring cities. Moods are uplifted, and there are weekly art festivals, diverse cultural festivals and events – reggae fest, weekly drum circles and kirtans, Wiccan and spiritual-crystal markets, fascinating belly dancers, Indian fusion dancers, Latin dancers, Asian food fests, Middle Eastern, African and Mediterranean, Russian, Romainian, German, Lebanese, Scottish, and gypsy. A variety of restaurants and bars, with beach bars, DJ clubs, and performance venues aplenty – all with diverse attendees. When I turned on the radio I usually heard the Latin music station. Or happen across a bluegrass band at an art walk.

The AirBnB host I rented from – another company experiencing a boycott – has traveled around the world to more countries than I have. She was welcoming and professional and I met a variety of national and international visitors while staying there. Her home filled with decor from around the world. I did yoga every morning in front of Thai bodhisattva wall hangings or in the garden with Buddhist statues. Mingled with her large group of friends, diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, and nationality. I’m still inspired by her positive attitude and encouragement to live your best life and see more of our beautiful world.

My neighbor spoke openly of her girlfriend. I watched a male couple across the street meticulously care for their lawn and decorate beautifully for every holiday.

Stopped for coffee in Gulfport to hear a live band on the street or cooled off inside to French jazz and world music, the decor with Hindu walll hangings and a global style. Then bought a colorful Balinese sarong and wore it to the grocery store.

An artist painted mehndi on my hand at an Indian wedding convention in Orlando. I witnessed Buddhist monks downtown St Pete make a peace mandala with colored sand slowly over a week’s time. Then destroy it to represent impermance. The sand returned to the water.

Attended a workshp on how to mime, alongside petite ballerinas and hip hop street dancers. I danced Argentine tango in Tampa and took part in eco-conscious clothing swaps with great finds and new friends.

Participated in drum circles and was immediately welcomed as a newcomer. A typical call and response at the weekly drum circle on the beach is to ecstatically yell, “I love youuuuuu!”

A Brazilian samba dancer and yoga instructor taught an amazing belly dance class, then later performed a Tibetan healing bowl meditation. Another instructor danced in full costume, proudly twirling her veils down the main street during Gulfportart walk.

When I wanted to take an online vocal activation course, I parked alongside the beach at night, stood proudly under a clear sky with Orion above and the waves gently crashing, sang loudly and beautifully, cleared my chakras, was free and felt at one with nature and the elements. Nothing strange to anyone.

No stress, enjoy the sun and have fun. During the year I spent in St Pete I heard absolutely no discriminatory or derogatory comments on racial, ethnic or LGBTQ+ people or subjects. I can’t say that about some other cities and countries I’ve lived in.

But I won’t say there’s no concern. I heard of age discrimination against women in the job market in downtown St Pete (they’re more open-minded on the beaches). Other concerns include high cost of living compared to relatively low wages.

Central Florida

Then there’s that Central Florida town – the same one the dental practice was in – where there are helpful neighbors and a generally friendly attitude: very little road rage, instead a simple hand wave and a smile. A local church posts a welcoming message stating: “We embrace each other in our diversity.”

In contrast, I heard references to exclusionary practices in the job market against foreigners, recent expats, and non-republicans. Locals regularly enforced republican-specific and demeaning opinions into non-political conversations, discouraging relocation or even travel plans to blue states. This caused much tension and I started avoided conversations while there. They regularly termed Miami, “like another country.” As a contrast, international experience is valued in a South Florida location like Miami, where the Spanish language is used and accepted! But they proudly spoke of their vacations out of the country and European travels.

Long story short:

I often wonder what or who Floridians are voting for! Taxes or financial reasons? And do those particular people in that central Florida location expect the whole country to be like them? Do they realize that our country is known for being large and diverse!

Overall, the cultural laws and boycotts seem in stark contrast to my experience, the local customs, attitude and culture, at least in Tampa-St Pete and to some degree in Central Florida. Perhaps different in other areas. I encourage you to comment and add your experiences!

The boycotts could affect many who live there for the health effects of sunshine and beautiful weather, or the girl I know who loves working on the beach every day and seeing dolphins frolicking in front of colorful sunsets. She paints and sells them and is working toward a degree in art therapy. To extend that happy and beautiful feeling to others. In fact, “Happiness” is a sign you’ll see posted on hundereds of street signs and lamp posts across St Pete – it’s worth looking up! It’s an amazing story and I saw the man responsible at the post office. Casually mailing more happiness.

Perhaps peace can be made with the politics.

I understand that housing is a concern in Florida and often wonder if these laws are a quite uncivilized and aggressive response to overpopulation, which causes competition in housing and jobs, alongside rising rental, home and insurance costs. A way to drive people away from a state whose economy otherwise relies heavily on tourism and welcoming others. It is quite full with Baby Boomers, locals, job seekers, entrepreuers, and sun lovers. Many of us now have plans to retire or move to another country with sunny skies and beautiful beaches. There is more of this beautifull world to experience and its diverse people to meet. There are many drums to dance to.

Perhaps there is also a peaceful and innovatively intelligent way to handle overpopulation and politics.