Florida lawmakers are working on a new ban, which would ban certain flags from flying publicly on state property.

HB 901 is a two-page bill that never specifically mentions LGBTQ+ or Black Lives Matter flags, but the language in the bill is clear and reads.“A governmental entity may not erect or display a flag that represents a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.”

Tyler Mount just returned to Florida after moving out of the state and is surprised at how bans are common in Florida.

“When I was in school here, it was way different. Now that I’ve come back ten years later, it’s like we’re backtracking,” Mount said.

Democrat Anna Eskamani of the Orlando area said the legislation intentionally prohibits a government office from flying a Pride flag.  

She said if the bill passes, it would directly impact her office.

“In my office every day, we fly an American flag and Pride flag, not to show just patriotism but our solidarity with communities as they seek equality in this great country,” Eskamani explained.

The All Faiths Congregation in Fort Myers flies a Pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag. Lay Minister Alberita Johnson is concerned about the message the state would send by banning flags.

“We want them to know that we welcome all of you. We welcome all of God’s children,” Johnson stated.

She said we don’t all have to think alike to love alike.

The owner of The Standard Restaurant, which flies Pride, Blue Lives Matter, and an Israeli flag, calls the bill a waste of lawmakers’ valuable time.

“There are so many bigger issues, not only insurance. I talk about it all the time … the homelessness,” said owner Chris Blauvelt.

Republican Spencer Roach expects the flag ban bill to come before his committee and said he will evaluate it then.

A similar flag bill was introduced last year in Florida but was never passed.