Gaming charity fundraiser pulls out of Florida, citing 'Don't Say Gay' law and Covid safety
Source: NBC News
Gaming charity fundraiser pulls out of Florida, citing 'Don't Say Gay' law and Covid safety
Since its first event in 2010, Games Done Quick has raised more than $34 million for charity.
Sept. 9, 2022, 12:18 PM EDT
By Kalhan Rosenblatt
A video game charity fundraiser announced Thursday that it would not hold its next event in Florida because of a state law that limits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, also citing a "disregard" for Covid safety in the state.
In a statement posted to its website, Games Done Quick, also known as "GDQ," said Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, colloquially known as "Don't Say Gay," is part of an "increased aggression" directed at LGBTQ people by the state. GDQ did not specify the city in Florida or the venue that had been the originally planned destination for the event.
"While we would love to return in-person, we’ve determined that to provide a safe and welcoming event to all it was best that we move away from our originally planned location in Florida," the statement reads.
Additionally, GDQ said state laws that do not require either event attendees or employees to be vaccinated against Covid, coupled with the anti-LGBTQ attitudes, led organizers to say they "do not believe it is a safe place for our community at this time." GDQ has prominently featured LGBTQ gamers during past events.
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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/gaming-charity-fundraiser-pulls-florida-citing-dont-say-gay-law-covid-rcna47026
