Have you been curious why Rome Entertainment Group chose to remain in Florida while we are suffering in our current political environment? If so read on to learn why supporting the communities here is more important than ever.
Re: A Statement from Rome Entertainment Group DBA Smut Lovers
Over a year ago we released our first statement regarding political uncertainty and it’s time for an update. When we first sat down and pulled together the words needed to explain our desire to be here in the State of Florida, we were dealing with a lot of unknowns within our state. Now we know the experience of an uncertain future has spread to many of our communities all over the US.
We are here to support the kink and LGBTQIA+ communities here in Florida, but our network of support has grown. We support multiple marginalized communities along with individuals who have never felt they had a place to belong. Our success is credited to the support of the most vulnerable communities in our society and the diversity they bring to our event. Safety is our number one concern and the fact that we have been able to provide that safety for so many will always be our largest accomplishment.
Smut Lovers: The Community will remain as is for the foreseeable future. We will not obey in advance, nor will we conform to policies that ignore or strip people of their human rights. We will remain here in Florida working year-round to support those who need it and extending virtual opportunities for those who do not feel comfortable traveling during this time.
We have received feedback from individuals who have joined us, sharing why it is important to them that Smut Lovers continues, below are some of those statements:
“Attending Smut Lovers in 2023 was enough to dissipate any trepidation I felt about coming to Florida for this event. I was eager to come back in 2024, because there are very few spaces where I feel as if all of me is welcome. I am not tolerated here, I am welcomed. And to be welcome at an event in a state that’s doing its best to be hostile to all of the facets of my identity just tickles my rebellious heart.”
Ruthie Bowles, narrator, writer, consultant for Smut Lovers: The Conference (Out of State Attendee)
“Florida needs safe places for everyone – especially those who are not welcome by the Governor. One of the questions asked in a panel was “who here has felt like they were broken?” In the world we live in these days, we’re all considered broken if we don’t fall into their narratives. Events like Smut Lovers are important not just for the educational piece (which was amazing, by the way) but also for all those broken people in the world who need a community and to know you’re not alone. Florida is the leading state in a step backwards. We need to be here to remind them that we’re not going anywhere!”
CR, Signing Author Smut Lovers: The Conference (Out of State Attendee)
“As a queer person who called Central Florida home for over fifteen years, I am thrilled to see Smut Lovers continue to champion the LGBTQIA+ community in the state of Florida. Now, more than ever, as harmful rhetoric and anti-queer bills are passed near daily, we need to stand together to show that not only do queer Floridians exist, but that we are welcome in the state of Florida, especially in Orlando, The City Beautiful.”
Amity Malcom, Signing Author and Educator at Smut Lovers: The
Conference (Out of State Attendee)
“The legislature happening in Florida is frightening. It’s dehumanizing. I see the struggles of my trans and queer siblings there, and it hurts my heart. Policy in this country has very little to do with the will of the people, but it’s my hope that events like Smut Lovers will help dilute the rhetoric and show that sexuality isn’t something to be feared. More importantly, I don’t want the LGBTQIA+ communities of Florida to feel abandoned by their brethren as well as their elected officials. We stand together.”
Rowan Merrick, Signing Author and Educator at Smut Lovers: The
Conference (Out of State Attendee)
“As a racialized, kinky and queer person-especially living in Florida where it can feel isolating and unsafe-it means the world to me to know Smut Lovers exists. It reminds me that we aren’t alone-whether we’re fighting or celebrating, that there are people who care about us, our rights and our existence. We need that now more than ever. We need to be able to lean on community, to have them in the trenches with us and it’s all the more valuable to know they’re in our own backyard.”
Ashley Michele, Signing Author and Assistant Director at Smut Lovers: The Conference (In State Attendee)
Statements like these along with so many personal testimonies are what keeps us going year after year. We hope that each of you considers these experiences and those of the people you know who have attended Smut Lovers: The Conference in the past when remembering the importance of our presence here. Our mission will always stay the same and that’s to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. We are proud to serve communities both in and out of Florida.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. As always, we are available for questions at Contact@Smutlovers.org.
Nikki Rome
She/Her
Rome Entertainment Group DBA Smut Lovers