Take a ride on any of Florida's highways and you're bound encounter this billboard, or a similar one (the new billboards have taken a decidedly less 1980s approach, showing a sweet blonde pregnant, or "pregnant," model instead of the above Zena-Warrior-Princess-with-scary-contour-blush). While not funded by state government, the billboards still provide insight into the political temperature in Florida when it comes to women's rights. In fact, the women's-rights activist group Ultraviolet recently called out Florida as the No. 1 anti-woman tourist destination in the nation — and launched a plan to name and shame. The tactic is meant to encourage equality-minded folks to choose a location other than Florida for their vacations, because who wants to vacation in an anti-choice state knowing that their hotel-and-restaurant dollars are indirectly going toward supporting anti-woman policies?
Ultraviolet plans to raise awareness of woman-hating Florida (and other states that limit women's reproductive rights) by buying inexpensive airport and travel-website ads. Their intention is to hit these states where it hurts: right in the pocketbook.
In 2011, tourism had an impact of $67 billion dollars on Florida's economy. Ultraviolet hopes that by making a dent in these dollars, they'll encourage politicians to "back off their war on women." Ultraviolet is seeking out donations to help buy the ads. Luckily, airport ads aren't nearly as spendy as billboards. Their goal is only $15,000. Are you in?
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