—Introduced a bill banning “flags with a political viewpoint” in government buildings, explicitly targeting LGBTQ pride flags along with other flags. He promoted baseless and defamatory LGBTQ “grooming” misinformation in his press release that described “fictional country flags like ‘Palestine,’ pro-violence ‘Black Lives Matter’ flags, woke and pro-grooming ideological flags, and the flags of any political candidates in government buildings.” The LGBTQ Pride flag is widely recognized as a symbol of identity and inclusion. It does not represent a specific political perspective. The anti-LGBTQ “groomer” trope has resurfaced in recent years and endangers LGBTQ people, targeting them for violence, and endangers understanding of actual child abuse.
—Tweeted an unfounded attack on LGBTQ people and an NBC reporter writing, “The perverts who wish to groom our children will stop at nothing to achieve their ends.” The anti-LGBTQ “groomer” trope is dangerous hate speech which has been popularized to foment fear and hatred, and ultimately violence, against LGBTQ people.
—Defended a bill banning minors from attending drag shows, stating, without basis, “If it means erasing a community because [LGBTQ people] have to target children, then, damn right, we ought to do it!” The text of the bill describes “adult live performance” as “any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities.” Fine’s wife, Wendy Fine, co-hosted an annual gala “filled with sultry performers,” which she has previously performed wearing lingerie and revealing costumes, to raise money for a children’s charity.
—Signed legislative subpoenas including baseless and inflammatory claims demanding that the Florida Psychiatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Florida Chapter produce “all materials justifying their recommendation that castrating and mutilating children is ‘gender affirming care.’” In fact, every major medical association supports health care for transgender people and youth as safe and lifesaving.
—Filed HB 1421, the so-called “Trans Ban Bill,” which bans transgender health care for youth, restricts access to private insurance coverage for care, and denies legal recognition of transgender people on birth certificates. The bill passed and was signed into law.
—Voted in favor of CS/HB 1475, a bill barring transgender girls and women from playing on girls’ sports teams at public schools. The bill passed and was signed into law.