By Miss Bouvèé
Florida man strikes again. For those who don’t know, “Florida man” is a rather infamous hashtag that often refers to a man living in (or in some cases visiting) Florida doing something that is unmatched in his idiotic nature. Our governor has been no exception, especially where the Queer community is concerned.
The devastating June veto, which pulled $32 million in funding for arts organizations statewide, has arts organizations scrambling and turning to donors for help. It should not be lost on us that this comes not only after the ban on rainbow lights statewide lighting bridges for Pride, but the veto comes in Pride month itself. Arts organizations are famously where Queer people of all types thrive, flourish, and find their safe space. “I can’t justify giving tax dollars to the Fringe festival”, was a direct quote of our governor. Upon researching this, it is obvious he is referring to the part of the festival which features, you guessed it, drag queens! Dear Mr. Governor, I respectfully decline your obsession with me.
While the battle for dollars in the arts is no stranger to us, I want to encourage all of my readers to double down on your donations in the coming third and fourth quarter giving. I cannot tell you the devastating effects this will have, no one can until it is too late. While it may not be immediate, the long-term damage to art, museums, and culture will be evident. A few local organizations I recommend donating to are the South Florida Symphony Orchestra and POW (Plays of Wilton). Beyond music and theatre, this veto has also devastated cultural centers, museums, and BIPOC groups that center on education and outreach. A simple google search will reveal the nearly 200 organizations in the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties that lost a collective estimated $12 million in funding. They all need your help in the coming days.
I am pressed to recall a childhood film I adore to this day, Mr. Holland’s Opus. It is the film that first made me want to be a teacher, a profession I enjoyed for five wonderful years. In the film, Mr. Holland’s program is cut and he is forced into retirement. As he leaves the principal’s office he turns and says, “Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want. Sooner or later, these kids aren’t going to have anything to read or write about.”
Special note: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of OutClique.
