Lights, Camera, Homophobia in Florida

by Michael Jones · 2010-03-08 09:27:00 UTC
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ClapperboardLegislators in Florida want to make the Sunshine State more hospitable to movie studios and filmmakers. They're hoping to offer tax credits to movies if producers promise to come to Orlando or Miami or Naples or Pensacola for their filming. Sounds like a decent business plan. The only problem?

Certain legislators in Florida want to make sure that only "family-friendly" movies get tax credits. And depending on who you ask, "family-friendly" to these Florida legislators might just mean films that don't include gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender characters.

Perhaps Florida legislators should rethink this proposal. First, the film industry is so loaded with LGBT people, it doesn't make any sense to create a business incentive program that clearly offends a giant chunk of the work force you're targeting. But second, let's not assume that all movies with LGBT characters are anti-family. That would be as arrogant as assuming that all Florida politicians don't know their ass from their elbow.

Think Progress brings the goods from one of the Florida lawmakers behind this proposal. State Rep. Stephen Precourt says that he wants Florida to be a beacon for movies like the type made in the 1950s and 60s. Ah, the good 'ole days of rampant and unapologetic sexism, racism, and homophobia.

“Think of it as like Mayberry,” Precourt said. “That’s when I grew up ... that’s what life was like. I want Florida to be known for making those kinds of movies: Disney movies for kids and all that stuff. Like it used to be, you know?”

No word if Precourt is referring to Song of the South, and its portrayal of that beautiful relationship between a master and his slave.

As Lez Get Real notes, this isn't entirely surprising for lawmakers in Florida, who continually think that children should be bounced around a foster care system than placed with stable, well-qualified gay or lesbian parents.

The proposal heads to the State Senate now, where it's unknown if the "family-friendly only" provision will stick. Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Crist has lent his support to the bill. No word on whether Florida is looking to become the official home of the "Left Behind" series of videos. Because that may be just about all that qualifies under this proposed tax incentive.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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