Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won further LGBTQ+ triumphs when the House enacted gender-transition treatments, restroom use, and drag show bans.
A state board also approved an extension of the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which has been criticized.
Florida Gov. DeSantis Priorities And Proposed Legislation
Lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity would be prohibited from grades 4 through 12 unless mandated by state standards or included in reproductive health training.
The idea was put up by the DeSantis administration last month as part of the hardline conservative agenda of the Republican Party, with the governor primarily relying on racial and cultural divisions in advance of his impending presidential campaign.
The rule has faced harsh criticism from those who claim it marginalizes LGBTQ+ individuals and includes ambiguous language that causes teachers to self-censor. President Joseph Biden, a Democrat, described it as “hateful.”
It’s not the only problem Florida’s LGBTQ+ population is upset about.
Another DeSantis priority, a law making it illegal to give transgender children gender-affirming medical care, was approved by the House on Wednesday.
Democrats said that government should not decide how to handle youngsters who exhibit gender dysphoria since doing so could have psychologically negative effects.
Rep. Marie Paule Woodson, a Democrat, questioned whether it was appropriate to treat them like they had no value. “We have no business trespassing into this territory.”
When they were debating, a group of demonstrators chanted, “Racist, sexist, anti-queer, Randy Fine get out of here,” in reference to the bill’s Republican sponsor Rep. Randy Fine.
The proposed legislation would give the state the authority to withdraw the food and beverage licenses of establishments that let kids into shows for adults.
As a result of allegations that minors were present during indecent demonstrations, the DeSantis administration has attempted to revoke the liquor licenses of establishments that hosted drag shows.
The House also approved a measure that will outlaw using the restrooms with someone who is not the designated sex at birth. Public restrooms must be marked as Men’s, Women’s, or Unisex.
Read more: Some Worry That LGBTQ And Other Rights May Be Rolled Back After Roe
DeSantis Persuasion of Leadership
DeSantis’ leadership has been under growing pressure from former president Donald Trump and other Republican presidential contenders, including a running spat with Disney, one of the state’s top employers and a major political donor.
In response to the media mogul’s vocal opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” law last year, DeSantis persuaded lawmakers to grant him control over a self-governing enclave that Disney manages on its theme park grounds.
DeSantis has threatened to further avenge the firm through legislation and has asked the chief inspector general to look into the Disney board’s action.
