The state chapter of the NAACP has requested a Louisiana travel advisory.
The Louisiana chapter of the NAACP has asked the national organization to issue a travel advisory for the state, citing “a disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”
The request comes on the heels of the NAACP’s board of directors issuing a travel advisory for Florida last month, citing similar concerns. It should be noted that the NAACP’s travel advisories do not advise against travel, but seek to inform travelers what they may face.
The Florida advisory read, in part, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” An advisory for Louisiana would likely be similar.
The Louisiana state conference of the NAACP cited several pieces of pending legislation they considered hostile to Black and LGBTQ+ communities. The legislation calls for changes to administration of voting, calls for review of educational materials related to Black and LGBTQ+ topics, prohibits public school educators from discussing sexual orientation, and bans gender-affirming care for transgender patients under 18.
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In an interesting split-screen, New Orleans & Company, the destination marketing organization for the City of New Orleans, re-launched a 2019 program aimed at asking local businesses to actively welcome LGBTQ+ patrons (as well as those of all backgrounds and identities). The initiative includes a training program for businesses on inclusion, and distributes “Everyone’s Welcome Here” rainbow flag stickers to adorn storefronts.
Louisiana has a history of violence toward both Black and LGBTQ+ people. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge arson—which was the deadliest crime against LGBTQ+ people in the United States up until the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre. In June of 1973, 32 people perished in the fire at the French Quarter gay bar. The fire was later determined to be an act of arson, but the crime has never been solved, mostly owing to lack of interest in the case from local police at the time.
New Orleans Mayor La Toya Cantrell also affirmed her city’s commitment to welcoming diversity in the famously freewheeling city. “Whether as a community organizer, a City Councilmember or as Mayor, I have been steadfast in my commitment to serve all people regardless of who they are, or who they love,” said Mayor Cantrell. “New Orleans is a welcoming city that openly celebrates and embraces diversity, as it is what makes up the beautiful fabric of our great city. As a true ally who has led the charge and been on the frontlines with our community partners and organizations, everyone will always be loved and accepted here in New Orleans, and I will continue to do my part to make New Orleans a place that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more diverse as a whole.”
It is unclear what, if any impact, Louisiana could expect if the NAACP were to ultimately issue a travel advisory similar to Florida’s. Similar efforts in the past have not shown a significant impact to state tourism numbers (tourism volume is typically based on broad estimates and rarely broken down by race). The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Missouri in 2017, but subsequent years saw little change in the state’s rate of tourism growth.
Louisiana—where nearly a third of the population is Black—counts tourism as a major economic driver. The city of New Orleans is a major draw as both a cultural destination and cruise port, with attractions ranging from historical sites, world-renowned Creole and Cajun cuisine, and a vibrant music scene—in addition to a significant amount of LGBTQ+ nightlife venues.
The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism estimated the state attracted 42.6 million visitors in 2022.
Unfortunately, NO is not representative of Louisiana. NO is open and free, unlike the majority of LA. But fortunately, one can visit NO w/o being subjected to the bigotry & hate that permeates much of the state. Again, unfortunately, sales taxes, etc. generated in NO, are sent to the majority bigots in Baton Rouge.
Media over reaction