Pole dancing convention won’t return to Florida due to anti-LGBTQ laws

• PoleCon won’t return to Florida due to anti-LGBTQ laws.
• They canceled this year’s event in Orlando.
• The organization rejects the state’s discriminatory laws.

Pole dancing convention won’t return to Florida due to DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ laws.

EFE reported that PoleCon will not be held in the state of Florida as long as legislation that «harms the LGBTQ+ community» remains in effect.

The organizers told EFE that they have no intention of returning to the state of Florida.

This won’t change until the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals are respected there.

PoleCon had planned to host their 2024 event in Orlando

PoleCon had planned to hold their annual event in 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

The hotel where they were going to host the event backed out because of the new anti-LGBTQ laws.

The hotel’s management said they were nervous about being fined or even losing their liquor license if minors attend.

This is because of ban on drag performances in the state.

The organization won’t consider Florida for future conventions

PoleCon emphasized that they will not consider Florida for future conventions.

«Because some of our artists wear clothing that does not align with their ‘assigned gender at birth,’ and we have attendees under 18» who attend in the event.

The convention has held several annual pole dancing conventions in Florida in the past.

In 2018, the convention took place in Orlando, and in 2011 and 2013, it was held in West Palm Beach.

The owner of PoleCon says that anti-LGBTQ+ laws aim to harm the gay community

Colleen Jolly, CEO and owner of PoleCon, which was held this year at the Hotel Casino in Maryland, commented on the situation.

«We believe the law incorrectly cites child safety as a way to harm members of the LGBTQ+ community.»

Jolly added that her organization refuses to «prohibit attendance by those under 18.»

They also refuse to require show participants to wear clothing that aligns with their assigned gender at birth, which is at odds with the current law.

They have not announced where they will hold their 2024 event

The organizers of PoleCon have not yet announced the state that will serve as the venue for the 2024 event.

Florida’s law targeting «drag queen» performances aims to restrict «live adult performances» in any place where minors may be present.