Fact Check: Governor Ron DeSantis has previously acknowledged the Hispanic and queer identities of the Pulse victims in his statements.

Fact Check: "Governor Ron DeSantis has previously acknowledged the Hispanic and queer identities of the Pulse victims in his statements."

What We Know

Governor Ron DeSantis has faced criticism for his handling of proclamations related to the Pulse nightclub shooting, which occurred in 2016 and resulted in the deaths of 49 individuals, primarily from the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities. In June 2019, DeSantis issued a proclamation that notably omitted any mention of the LGBTQ community, which drew backlash from various political figures and activists, including state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, who described the omission as "straight-washed and an insult" (Washington Post).

Following the criticism, DeSantis's office stated that the omission was due to an error by unnamed staff and subsequently re-issued the proclamation to include references to both the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities (The Hill). In this corrected proclamation, DeSantis expressed solidarity with these communities, stating, "The State of Florida will not tolerate hatred towards the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities" (Orlando Sentinel).

However, despite this acknowledgment in the corrected proclamation, DeSantis has a history of actions that have been perceived as dismissive of LGBTQ rights, such as signing an executive order that did not include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity (Yahoo News).

Analysis

The claim that Governor Ron DeSantis has previously acknowledged the Hispanic and queer identities of the Pulse victims is partially true. While he did eventually include these identities in a corrected proclamation, his initial omission raises questions about his commitment to recognizing these communities. The backlash he received indicates a significant disconnect between his statements and the expectations of many constituents, particularly those from the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities (Orlando Weekly).

The sources used to evaluate this claim vary in reliability. Major news outlets like the Washington Post and The Hill provide credible reporting on the events, while local sources such as the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Weekly offer detailed accounts of the reactions and implications of DeSantis's statements. However, some sources, like Yahoo News, may have a more sensationalist angle, which could affect the perception of the facts presented.

Overall, while DeSantis did acknowledge the identities of the victims in a corrected statement, the initial exclusion and his previous actions suggest a complex relationship with these communities, leading to a mixed perception of his support.

Conclusion

The verdict is Partially True. Governor Ron DeSantis did eventually acknowledge the Hispanic and queer identities of the Pulse victims in a corrected proclamation. However, his initial failure to mention these communities and his past actions indicate a lack of consistent support for LGBTQ rights, which complicates the narrative of his acknowledgment.

Sources

1. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Pulse proclamation is stripped ...
2. Gov. DeSantis omits LGBTQ, Hispanic in Pulse tribute - The Hill
3. DeSantis deletes LGBTQ, Hispanics from Pulse order - Orlando Sentinel
4. DeSantis erases 'LGBTQ and Hispanic communities' from Pulse remembrance ...
5. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fails to mention LGBTQ+ ...
6. DeSantis drops "LGBTQ and Latin" people from remarks on Pulse ...
7. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Fails to Mention LGBTQ+ or Latinx People in Pulse ...
8. DeSantis doesn't mention LGBTQ+ people in Pulse remembrance - Advocate.com