GLAAD RESPONDS TO WAVE OF ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS PASSED BY FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, INCLUDING EXPANDING “DON’T SAY GAY” AND BOOK BANS AND A BILL TO CRIMINALIZE BATHROOM ACCESS

GLAAD: “Florida’s extremist lawmakers are working overtime to make their state less free and outright dangerous for everyone, especially LGBTQ people, youth and families. They make every citizen and every visitor to Florida vulnerable to discriminatory, baseless criminalization. These bills awaiting the governor’s signature are the work of extremist politicians who prioritize their own futures and fundraising over the concern and wellbeing of their constituents and state. They are solidifying a reputation as a book banning, bathroom banning state, when Florida needs leaders who want all people to be welcome, safe and accepted.”

(Wednesday, May 3, 2023) GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills passed by the Florida legislature in the final days of the legislative session. Additional statements from Equality Florida are also below.

Today the legislature passed bills that ban people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity, expanded the state’s contentious “Don’t Say Gay” bill to include grades K-8 and that would allow anyone outside of Florida to attempt to ban books in Florida, allow health care providers to refuse to offer necessary care for transgender people, and a bill to criminalize essential health care for transgender youth, care that is supported by every major medical association and leading world health authority. [Medical association statements here.]

GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis responded here, and on Instagram:
“Florida’s extremist lawmakers are working overtime to make their state less free and outright dangerous for everyone, especially LGBTQ people, youth and families. They make every citizen and every visitor to Florida vulnerable to discriminatory, baseless criminalization. These bills awaiting the governor’s signature are the work of extremist politicians who prioritize their own futures and fundraising over the concern and wellbeing of their constituents and state. They are solidifying a reputation as a book banning, bathroom banning state, when Florida needs leaders who want all people to be welcome, safe and accepted.”

Bills passed include:

• A bill that would make it difficult or impossible for transgender Floridians to access appropriate restrooms, domestic violence shelters, correctional institutions, or other spaces that match their gender was sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall and Rep. Rachel Plakon.
• A bill to criminalize essential health care for transgender youth was sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough (R), Sen. Douglas Broxson (R), and Sen. W. Perry (R)  in the Senate and Rep. Randall Fine in the House.
• A bill that would allow health care providers to discriminate against LGBTQ and other groups of patients was filed by Rep. Joel Rudman and Sen. Jay Trumbull.
• A bill that bans any mention of LGBTQ people, history, or issues in school curriculums through the 12th grade was sponsored by Rep. Stan McClain in the House.

Equality Florida also released statements on the passage of the expansion of “Don’t Say LGBTQ”:
“The Don’t Say LGBTQ law has already caused sweeping damage across our state,” said Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida Public Policy Director. “It was wrong when it was adopted, and expanding it is wrong now. Books are being removed en masse. Rainbows are being censored from classrooms. Districts are refusing to recognize the historical contributions of LGBTQ people for fear of the Governor’s wrath. This expansion exacerbates the damaging impacts being felt by students and families in Florida. Parents should have the right to ensure their children are respected in the classroom. Our schools should be celebrating the diverse families that make up our communities, not erasing them. Shame on Governor DeSantis and lawmakers perpetuating a political crusade against LGBTQ Floridians.”

Regarding the discriminatory restroom restrictions:
“This bill criminalizes transgender people for using the restroom that aligns with how they live their lives every day,” said Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida Public Policy Director. “This bill opens the door to abuse, mistreatment, and dehumanization. Our state government should be focused on solving pressing issues, not terrorizing people who are simply trying to use the restroom and exist in public.”

Additional research:

• GLAAD and Equality Florida have been tracking Gov. Ron Desantis’ policies, rhetoric and actions targeting LGBTQ people via the GLAAD Accountability Project.
• The so-called Parental Rights in Education bill signed into law last year banned discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity through the third grade in Florida. Lawmakers have now passed a bill to expand the law to include students through 8th grade, in addition to an Education Department policy expanding the censorship through 12th grade. 71% of LGBTQ and ally voters in Florida say the law was designed to attack LGBTQ people.
• An estimated 4.6% of Floridians are LGBTQ and 24% of LGBTQ people in Florida are raising children. 30% of LGBTQ people are Latinx/Latine, 12% are Black.