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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was honest and frank when questioned by reporters Thursday afternoon about the sport competing in Florida. Hamilton took aim at the state’s recent anti-LGBTQ legislation – including the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law backed and signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The 38-year old world champion said he did not agree with the laws, but stopped short of saying the F1 series should not race in Florida because of them. The only Black driver on the grid, Hamilton has long been a strong advocate of human rights issues, also speaking out when the circuit raced in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s not for me to decide something like that,” said Hamilton, who came to South Florida already planning to display a rainbow flag on his helmet in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix – as he’s done in previous races.
“I did hear and have read about some of the decisions that have been made in government here and I do not agree with it and I do not support it.
“I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend. I just really want to continue to support the community here and let them know I stand with them and I hope they continue to fight against it.
“It’s not the people of Miami that are making these decisions, it’s the people in government and that’s the issue.
“… the sport is going to be here whether I am or not – but the least I can do is just continue to be supportive and just being here and having that on my helmet, hopefully that speaks well to the subject.”
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In March, DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill into state law. It prohibits public school teachers to teach students about sexual orientation or gender identity.
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