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Rick Scott

U.S. Senator from Florida

Updated: September 26, 2024

Voted against the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, which codified the freedom to marry for same-sex and interracial couples into federal law, claiming it fails to “adequately protect the religious liberties of all Americans.“
Authored a “12 Point Plan” in which he denies the existence of transgender people and calls for federal proposals restricting LGB and especially transgender rights, saying “Men and women are biologically different, ‘male and female He created them… There are two genders.”
Called for nationwide bans on health care for transgender youth and on transgender women and girls participating on sports teams that match who they are.
Opposes inclusion of LGBTQ people on government forms.
Previously said he would sign a six-week abortion ban into law and previously supported a national ban on abortion.
Supports anti-LGBTQ extremist book-banning group Moms for Liberty, including appearing at their first and second annual conventions, further disproving the group’s false claim as a “grassroots” organization. The group helped push Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law. Scott praised Moms for Liberty and claimed its backed candidates would help keep control of the Senate in the 2022 midterm elections. Moms for Liberty-connected candidates were defeated in the 2022 midterms, and have been repeatedly rejected in school board and other elections including recent races in Florida.
Supported, then withdrew support, for Florida GOP chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, when Christian was accused of sexual assault against a women the Zieglers were have a three-way sexual relationship with. Florida taxpayers paid out $21 million to defend “Don’t Say Gay” and other discriminatory, unconstitutional attacks against LGBTQ and ally Floridians.
Endorsed, in August 2024, the Naples Moms for Liberty chapter chair for a Florida House seat.

The GLAAD Accountability Project catalogs anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and discriminatory actions of politicians, commentators, organization heads, religious leaders, and legal figures, who have used their platforms, influence and power to spread misinformation and harm LGBTQ people.