—Expressed support for a Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis that bans classroom instruction or discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. He did not specify whether he supported the expansion of the policy to all grades.
—Signed the City of Miami’s LGBTQ Ordinance announcing, “Today we officially signed the City of Miami’s LGBTQ Ordinance recognizing the decades of contributions by the LGBTQ Miami residents to the economy and diversity of the city! After today (1) The City of Miami will create a database assigning LGBTQ businesses in Miami as a designated minority businesses (2) National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce will be officially recognized by the City Administration as a third-party organization tasked with certifying LGBTQ businesses (3) Eligibility as a recognized minority business to small business enterprise training programs and other services already offered to minority owned businesses around Miami. Proud to be part of what makes Miami the Magic City and a #Miami4All 🏳️🌈”
—Said DeSantis’s “Don’t Say [Gay/Trans]” bill has also deflated some of Miami’s efforts to attract new residents, conventions and business opportunities. “My perspective is that we don’t want little kids being taught about sexuality in the classroom,” said Suarez, who is married with two kids. “We want parents to do that. But we also want to be a country that is pro-equal rights for the LGBTQ community, which is what Miami is about. And I think whether it’s equality in housing or equality in job opportunity, the LGBTQ community is a community that is a large stakeholder in this country and deserves to be treated with respect and kindness as we do here in our city. This goes back to conflicted leadership, as opposed to persuasive leadership and aspirational leadership.”