In June 2025, Florida received an ‘F’ in SafeHome.org’s annual LGBTQ+ state safety report card for 2025.
According to the website, the organization analyzed state legislation and examined crime statistics across the U.S. to assign each state a hate crime score and law score. States received an overall safety grade based on both of these scores.
13 states received a failing “F” grade for LGBTQ+ safety including Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Florida scored lowest of all of the states, according to the report.
Florida’s low ranking stems partly from recent state laws enacted under Governor Ron DeSantis, such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which bans public school discussion of sexual orientation.
Further legislation includes SB 254, which restricts transgender healthcare for minors, and HB 1521, which criminalizes transgender individuals using public restrooms matching their gender identity.
While 38% of LGBTQ+ Americans have even considered moving across state lines in search of better protections, several UNF students emphasized changing Florida laws and mentioned their positive experiences living outwardly as a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ Student Input
Lucas Roberson, a sophomore, blamed anti-DEI legislation for the state’s failing grade for the LGBTQ+ safety report.
“It’s no surprise to me, I mean, the centers that helped us, they got rid of them last year,” said Roberson. “Still, it’s important for us to make our voices heard instead of moving away because not everyone can do that.”
The “centers” Roberson referred to are the centers previously under the UNF Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Anti-DEI legislation was instilled in January 2024, prompting UNF to phase out the Intercultural, Interfaith, LGBTQ and Women’s centers under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
UNF junior Chloe Dresback described her positive and negative experiences as a queer person living in Florida, specifically at school.
“Many of my friends are accepting and supportive of me, and I have an amazing partner who is very accepting,” said Dresback. “However, in high school during a Pride protest, I was called nasty slurs and told that “I ought to get what I deserve” just by holding a rainbow flag.”
Dresback acknowledged that, through her queer friends, she has witnessed even harsher cases of discrimination in Florida.
“I have several friends who have been called names, degraded, even ended long-term friendships or relationships because of someone’s prejudice,” said Dresback.
Valery Morgan, a junior, explained that even though they expected UNF to do more for its LGBTQ+ students, they understood that the university was held to the standards of the Board of Governors.
“It is disappointing and disheartening,” said Morgan. “As a gender nonconforming person, I hoped for more community in college but at the end of the day, we all need to be prepared to make change to see it.”
While the Office of Diversity and Inclusion was phased out, there are numerous clubs on campus such as the UNF Pride Club that support and organize events for LGBTQ+ students.
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