LGBTQ+ rights activists protested a conservative conference at Chelsea Sunday which promoted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as one of its key speakers.
Fury raged over the Tikvah Fund for hosting the right-wing DeSantis at its Jewish Leadership conference at Chelsea Piers, an area with a storied role in gay rights history. Many opponents believed DeSantis’ presence Sunday served as a slap in the face to the LGBTQ+ community because of his support and enacting of Florida legislation outlawing sexual orientation instruction in schools, commonly referred to by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
DeSantis infamously signed-off on the legislation this past March — something that has advocates calling this a step backwards for LGBTQ+ rights and a promotion of homophobia.
The protesters made clear Sunday DeSantis and his right-wing views weren’t welcome in their community.