GET Cities Takes A Stance on Fear-Based Legislation by supporting Equality Florida's Travel Advisory

Through this show of support and additional work with TransSOCIAL, GET Cities seeks to advocate for the transgender community and combat fear-based legislation.

Miami– June 29, 2023 — GET (Gender Equality in Tech) Cities is taking a stand for transgender rights amidst the intensifying national conversation surrounding recent fear-based legislation. By supporting Equality Florida’s travel advisory, collaborating with TransSOCIAL, Inc., and kicking off an article series on this legislation, GET Cities reaffirms its commitment to championing the rights of transgender individuals.

Leslie Smith, National Director of GET Cities, stated: “The legislative violence targeting marginalized populations endangers their lives and obstructs their economic prosperity, social connections, and overall well-being. It hinders economic prosperity as discriminatory practices limit access to opportunities, fair wages, and upward mobility. As we erect barriers that impede the progress and success of marginalized individuals, we stifle their potential contributions to society as a whole, making us all poorer in the end.”

To that end, GET Cities has pledged support for Equality Florida’s travel advisory, which takes a firm stance against the oppressive legislation targeting transgender rights. It also lays out the safety precautions to consider for those still in Florida or for those who still need or choose to visit. GET Cities and Equality Florida both strive to counteract these harmful measures, raising awareness about the current policies led by Governor DeSantis and the detrimental impact they have on marginalized populations.

“In his desperate quest to win a GOP Presidential nomination, Ron DeSantis has waged war on freedom in Florida and made clear that he intends to advance his assaults on civil liberties from Coast to Coast. And in doing so, he has done damage to our state that will outlast his political career. Free states don’t criminalize healthcare, they invest in our collective wellbeing. Free states don’t use the power of government to censor free speech and punish dissent, they value discourse and celebrate diversity of thought. Florida may be the frontline, but we are all in the fight for real freedom.” Co-Founder & CEO, Equality Florida

Additionally, GET Cities will increase our partnership and collaboration with TransSOCIALas they work to provide travel and accommodation assistance for transgender individuals, ensuring they can access health care safely. TransSOCIAL is a partner of GET Champions, an intervention designed by GET Cities and powered by Radical Partners for forward-thinking tech leaders to increase and retain women, trans and nonbinary employees in their companies.

“More than 30% of Trans people in Florida report experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Florida’s new anti-Trans laws will only exacerbate those experiences and employers will miss out on the expertise and skills of our Trans workforce. Florida businesses with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging can play a major role in ensuring safe and affirming workplaces for our Trans community.” says Ashley Mayfaire, Co-founder and Director of Operations at TransSOCIAL.

Finally, GET Cities will publish a series of thought-provoking articles to shed light on the damaging effects of fear-based legislation. Titled Unmasking Discrimination, these articles emphasize the importance of evidence-based research, debunking misinformation, and fostering empathy and understanding.

“The urgency to address fear-based legislation cannot be understated,” states Leslie Smith, National Director of GET Cities. “We firmly believe that by forging strong partnerships and combining our voices, we can drive positive change and dismantle the barriers that hinder the progress and success of transgender individuals.”

To learn more about Equality Florida’s travel advisory, visit: https://eqfl.org/updated-travel-advisory-HRC

And to access the first in the article series and learn more about GET Cities’ efforts to promote gender equity in the tech industry, please visit: https://medium.com/get-cities/unmasking-discrimination-34870dc69845

About GET Cities

GET Cities is an initiative designed to accelerate the representation and leadership of women, trans and nonbinary people in tech through the development of inclusive tech hubs across the United States, currently in Chicago, DC, and Miami. Launched in 2020, GET Cities is led by SecondMuse Foundation and Break Through Tech, in partnership with Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda French Gates.

About Trans SOCIAL

TransSOCIAL, Inc. is focused on expanding the safe and affirming resources available to the TLGBQ+ community. To do this, TransSOCIAL relies on sponsors who provide crucial support and allow the organization to make an impact on the TLGBQ+ community through diverse programming.

About Equality Florida

Equality Florida was formed in 1997 as Governor Jeb Bush took office and Florida’s state government made a hard turn to the right. For over 25 years, Equality Florida has worked hard to make their state a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, and visit. They’ve led the passage of policies at the local and state level to respect and protect our community in schools, in the workplace, in healthcare, and in caring for our loved ones. This experience has made Equality Florida uniquely suited to create real and lasting change for LGBTQ Floridians.

Through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building, Equality Florida is changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

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Notes for the Editor: Please address any and all press inquiries to Gabrielle LeVota, who can be reached at 310.497.6267. Email inquiries can be sent directly to glevota@crinkerland.com and more info can be found at https://www.getcities.org