Florida - Thursday April 20, 2023: The Florida House has passed a bill banning gender-transition treatments for children under 18. The measure makes it a felony to provide such care to minors experiencing gender dysphoria. It was among three measures that have drawn the ire of the LGBTQ community.
“We know that these are all just part of the governor’s agenda to attack our community and to take rights away from people disguised under parents’ rights,” said Salvatore Vieira, a field manager for Equality Florida, who led chants inside the chamber against the measure. “I fully believe in an equal and a beautiful Florida for everyone.”
The protesters shouted against the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Randy Fine, chanting, “Racist, sexist, anti-queer, Randy Fine get out of here.” The gallery was later cleared.
The Republican dominated House has also approved legislation baring kids from attending drag shows, and requiring a person to use the public bathroom of their birth sex, or a unisex bathroom. The measure that bans children from drag shows would allow the state to revoke the food and beverage licenses of any businesses that admits children to adult performances.
"I want to tell you what the people out there believe," said Rep. Fine in response. "They believe that an 8-year-old should have to keep track of 70 different pronouns that their teachers might choose. They believe that a 9-year-old should have access to books at school about sex, they believe that a 10-year-old should be able to get an abortion without talking to a parent."
Democrats argued that ignoring gender dysphoria in children can be psychologically harmful, They said parents and doctors should make decisions on treatment, not government.
“Trans people are already dealing with the feeling of not feeling wanted, not being accepted, not being loved, not belonging. Do we want to treat them like they are worthless?” said Democratic Rep. Marie Paule Woodson. “This is a territory that we have no right of stepping into.”