A group of about ten protesters gathered outside the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club this morning to oppose the choice of Florida governor Ron DeSantis as a speaker at the PwC Insurance Summit.

The demonstration was organised by local activist groups Social Justice Bermuda and the Peace Collective.

OutBermuda, an advocacy charity for the LGBTQ+ community, and antiracism charity Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda were not involved in organising the protest but issued a joint statement this week opposing the choice of the Florida Governor as a speaker.

Mr DeSantis has faced criticism for his polices including the restriction of public education on LGBTQ+ issues and his appeal against the closure of Florida’s immigration jail known as “Alligator Alcatraz”.

The ten protesters turned up throughout the course of the morning, holding up signs as well as printed-out newspaper headlines and quotes about DeSantis policies.

Kristin White was on a sidewalk near the entrance to the hotel, where the summit, which was being presented with the Financial Times, was held, representing Social Justice Bermuda and the Peace Collective.

She told The Royal Gazette: “When conferences are thinking about who to host in Bermuda … there are other options than someone who is known around America as being a particularly divisive person.

“We have a bag of headlines by media talking about his homophobia, his history revision, his anti-gay Bills, his climate change denial, it didn’t seem to be a necessary choice.

“We understand that Florida is a large market for the insurers but there were other people they could have brought in that wouldn’t be so horrifically offensive to so many people.”

Ms White added: “You don't separate the messenger from the message.

“OK, he has a deep understanding of insurance but he doesn’t believe that climate change is real, so how can he be someone we want to talk about the property market and catastrophic losses that Florida is experiencing, and so much of it is getting worse because of climate change, but he doesn’t believe it is real?”

Linda Bogle-Mienzer said she supported the protest as an activist and a Black, gay woman.

“When we start to separate the message from the messenger, I have to ask if we do that in all cases? We don’t,” she said.

“You cannot have a person who has a mission to eradicate Black history, to target the gay community, to wipe out the rights of women and who doesn't believe in climate change, and say, let’s separate that and just hear his views on the insurance market.

“It’s interesting that this particular individual didn’t have any push back, it says a lot.

“I think we are in a climate where we are really seeing companies for who they are.”

Ms Bogle-Mienzer said that while PwC could have made a better choice, the venue itself might also have had a role.

She added: “In this case, the Hamilton Princess chose to look at the company and not the messenger.

“I think we are in a climate where you have to put your money where your mouth is, you can’t keep talking the game and not supporting it.”

Laurel Monkman, who attended the protest as a “concerned mother”, said: “It was important to me as a mother to be here not wanting my daughter to grow up in a world where people can be ‘disappeared’ and repressed, and where that is measured as a profit.

“It is despicable that he [DeSantis] is being praised as a thought leader.”

Matthew Kitson, a protester who is gay, said: “Ron DeSantis has done so much to harm the gay community it was important for me to at least show my support.”

Asked about the protest, an attendee of the PwC event inside the hotel, said: “Florida made its choice. He has his permit to travel here and talk.

“Not everyone may agree with his views but they can still listen to him. I don’t believe in cancelling people.

“Probably more people came today [than normally would] because he is such a high-profile figure.”

PwC supported Pride Bermuda in July, the main event of the year for the LGBTQ+ community.

The company posted on its LinkedIn page: “Proud to sponsor and participate in Bermuda Pride 2025.

“We're committed to creating a culture where we all thrive.

“PwC's #Shine Inclusion Network promotes safe environments in our firms where all voices are heard, respected and valued.”

Joshua Samuels, the executive director of OutBermuda, told the Gazette: “OutBermuda did not have an official presence at this morning’s demonstration and was not involved in organising it.

“We did, however, share information about it on our channels in solidarity with the broader call for equity and accountability.

“PwC was one of the many sponsors of Bermuda Pride 2025.

“Our joint statement with Curb and ongoing advocacy are not directed at any one company, but rather at the need for all institutions to ensure that the voices they elevate reflect values of dignity, equity and respect for all.”

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ rights advocacy group that falls under the American Human Rights Commission, reported in 2023 that Mr DeSantis signed “a slate of extreme anti-LGBTQ+ Bills” and enacted a record-breaking number of discriminatory measures.

One Bill was designed to prohibit instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Others included an extreme gender-affirming care ban and exclusive use of restrooms and changing facilities by gender.

In 2022, Mr DeSantis signed what was dubbed the Stop Woke Act. This tried to prohibit schools and businesses in Florida from teaching ideas suggesting an individual is privileged or oppressed based on their race, colour, sex or national origin.

Parts of the law relating to workplaces were later overturned in court.

The communications office for Mr DeSantis has been asked for comment.

PwC declined to comment, as did the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to pre-moderate comments on a story that we deem may inflame sensitivities. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers