Taxpayer Funding Ends for DEI Events

A new Florida law restricting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives will cut off Monroe County funding for several long‑running LGBTQ+ events in Key West beginning in January 2027. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) announced the changes this week, warning that events historically supported through tourism grants will no longer qualify. Going forward, events will succeed or fail based on ticket sales. The consumer ultimately decides what to support, and most Key West residents say that is the most accurate measure of an event’s success.

Taxpayer Funding Ends for DEI Events: Opposition to Senate Bill 1134 in Key West Fails

The Key West City Commission voted 4–3 against a resolution that would have opposed Florida's anti-DEI legislation (SB 1134/HB 1001). Commissioners who voted against the measure expressed concerns regarding potential state-level funding reductions but also expressed optimism about strong community ties in Key West. The City of Key West has already begun assessing how the new DEI‑restriction law will affect local policy and funding. In March 2026, a resolution urging state lawmakers to reconsider the bill failed to pass.

City Commissioner Veliz - District V

Commissioner Veliz questioned why the city would stick a finger in the eye of state politicians who control some of the tax money sent to Key West. He was dumbfounded as to why the city commission would anger state officials at the same time we are asking them for financial help.

The City of Key West has a history of attempting to pass Resolutions against state law.  While some small loud and vocal Key West groups pushed for such political resolutions, they have repeatedly failed, as with the passage of 287g agreements with ICE and with the removal of rainbow crosswalks on Duval Street. To date, the majority has supported following state law, especially to avoid legal actions resulting in loss of financial support, removals from elected officials, and rejection from a majority who supports law and order.

Commissioner Carey - District IV

Commissioner Carey noted that despite these new constraints, events can continue through private support from residents and local businesses. She emphasized the island’s long‑standing “One Human Family” philosophy as a reminder for the community to support local events.

Crucially, the legislation would allow the governor to remove anyone from office who violates the law. The negative legal and financial consequences to Key West are noted in the new state law. To sponsor resolutions against this law is nothing more than political pandering for votes from a small group in Key West.

Taxpayer Funding Ends for DEI Events: About Florida Senate Bill 1134 (SB 1134)

After an entire day of debate, the bill had a final vote of 25-11. In introducing the legislation on the floor, Senator Yarborough rolled off a number of instances when local governments spent taxpayer funds in a way that he said justified why he had filed the bill.

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Among those expenditures was Broward County spending nearly $900,000 since 2020 on DEI training, part of which included a so-called “Genderbread Person” to explain gender roles — or “push radical gender ideology,” as Florida DOGE put it on X.

Another was Hillsborough County paying $572,000 for an external contract that included training for county employees about unconscious bias.

“If counties and cities were not taking official actions that funds and promotes these types of things — these are just a few examples, by the way — the bill would not be necessary,” Yarborough said. “But we’re representing the same constituents and have an obligation to uphold the standards of transparency and accountability. That’s what the bill is about.”

Florida’s Senate Bill 1134, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 23, 2026, and set to take effect on January 1, 2027, imposes broad new limits on how counties and municipalities may engage with anything defined as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The law applies statewide and immediately nullifies any existing local DEI‑related policies, programs or offices.

Under the law, local governments are prohibited from funding, promoting or taking official action connected to DEI initiatives. This includes ordinances, resolutions, training programs, public messaging and any activities referencing race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation beyond what federal anti‑discrimination laws require. Existing DEI offices and staff positions must be eliminated, and counties may not contract with outside vendors to provide DEI‑related services.

SB 1134 also restricts the use of public funds. Taxpayer dollars may not be used for DEI programming of any kind, and grant recipients must certify that they will not spend local funds on DEI activities. The law includes strong enforcement provisions, allowing residents to sue counties or municipalities they believe are in violation. Courts may issue injunctions, award damages and require local governments to cover legal costs. Elected officials who violate the statute may face penalties, including removal from office for misfeasance or malfeasance. In practice, SB 1134 removes local authority in this policy area and exposes counties to potential litigation if they fail to comply. Local governments across Florida will be required to restructure programs and funding mechanisms ahead of the law’s 2027 implementation date.

Taxpayer Funding Ends for DEI Events: Support for Senate Bill 1134 Continues in Key West

Supporters of Senate Bill 1134, including Governor Ron DeSantis and the advocacy group Heritage Action, argue that the legislation is designed to produce several positive outcomes for local and state governments. They say the bill promotes fiscal responsibility by redirecting taxpayer dollars away from what they describe as “bloated DEI bureaucracies” and toward core public services such as roads, emergency response and public safety.

Supporters in Key West say the law strengthens merit‑based decision‑making by ensuring that hiring, contracting and other official actions are based on individual qualifications rather than protected characteristics. They view the bill as a safeguard against what they call “DEI‑related discrimination,” because no group will receive preferential treatment at the expense of another. They believe DEI initiatives have historically divided communities into competing groups and that eliminating them will help foster greater unity and goodwill in the One Human Family.

Taxpayer Funding Ends for DEI Events: Impact to Tourism Economy in Key West

According to Monroe County spokesperson Kristen Livengood, the new restrictions mean Key West Pride and other events will lose all county funding in 2027. All three events are produced by the Key West Business Guild, which markets the island only to LGBTQ travelers, a small portion of the total visitors to Key West.

The Business Guild expects to lose roughly $200,000 in marketing and promotional services for DEI events formerly paid for by visitor bed taxes. Starting January 2027, they will have to pay for their own print media, digital marketing and radio. Any other group sponsoring an event already pays for its own advertising, and DEI groups will now be required to do the same. They will be free to compete for tourism dollars just like every other business or event. This is what the voters of Monroe County supported in 2024 when every Republican candidate won on the ballot. Elections indeed have consequences.

The Key West economy isn’t going to implode just because some DEI events will now have to rely on their own ticket sales to survive. Supporters and longtime participants of these events will almost certainly continue showing up, whether grants are available or not. Many locals point to the basic idea of supply and demand: people want the freedom to choose which events deserve their money. They don’t want unelected bureaucrats deciding where their tax dollars go or assigning public funds to select groups. Voters want to make those decisions themselves, with their own pocketbooks. And for residents who don’t normally attend gay‑themed events, the shift gives them a financial voice as well. In the end, the voter decides what to support, and many believe this approach is simply a fairer way of doing business.

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Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island.  When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special. Some articles are free for everybody. However, readers can access all articles and support her local independent news website by joining a pay plan here and cancel anytime without any hassles. Membership includes the use of a free App. Readers can also join the free newsletter here.