Legislative Update

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What do we do when our rights are under attack? Stand up, FIGHT BACK!

In his latest attempt to strip away our freedoms, Ron DeSantis and his administration have reversed the policy that allowed Florida residents to have their driver's licenses updated to reflect gender identity. Even after his loss on the national stage, DeSantis is continuing his loser behavior to wage culture wars on our most vulnerable communities, instead of tackling the real issues Floridians are facing.

Let’s review what set the stage for this most recent attack on Transgender Floridians…

HB 1521 - The infamous Bathroom Ban, banned gender-inclusive bathrooms and changing spaces in private businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, public shelters, and jails. This is a direct attack on the most basic, fundamental rights of our transgender siblings and does nothing to benefit Floridians.

SB 254 -This bill prohibits gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 18, criminalizes doctors who provide gender-affirming care, and allows the state to take custody of children who seek it. It also imposes new unnecessary written consent for gender-affirming care for adults and requires that all care must be provided in person.

And we are seeing a continuation of these extremist attacks this Legislative Session with bills like…

HB 1639, is sponsored by Rep. Doug Bankson and Rep. Dean Black, with Rep. Rachel Saunders Plakon as a co-sponsor. This bill has been labeled the “Trans Erasure Bill”. This bill seeks to remove gender from certain applications and licenses, replacing it with assigned sex at birth - creating unnecessary hardship for Transgender communities in accessing basic identification and health documents. This bill would also create additional barriers to accessing gender-affirming care which is life-saving care.

HB 1233, is sponsored by Rep. Dean Black. This bill has been at a standstill in house committees since January 13. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that right-wing legislators like Dean Black would rather focus on attacking marginalized communities rather than serving those he was elected to represent. This bill, similar to HB 1639, would also require state identification - specifically driver’s licenses - to list a person’s sex at birth, rather than their gender identity. It also seeks to remove protections for gender-based discrimination.

THANKS TO FLORIDA RISING.

November 3, 2024

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