William’s Institute at UCLA Law conducted a study on LGBTQ+ statistics across the U.S., further computing the transgender population per state. Florida emerged as 7th of the 50 states with approximately 100,000 transgender people. So, while the population and size of the state should be considered, the transgender population is also significantly necessary to note. For reference, the study was conducted in 2021– so a slight increase is possible since that time. For reference, the state ranking highest in transgender populations is The District of Columbia with 2.77%, and the lowest– Iowa with 0.31%. All this considered, we can now develop a further context for the recent passing of Florida’s new law: Florida Senate Bill 254.
Republican Florida Senators Clay Yarborough, and Keith Perry– one an Alabama native, the other a Florida native proposed the prohibition of gender-affirming care. This bill emphasizes “prohibiting sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures for patients younger than 18 years of age”. This bill was signed by Governor DeSantis, another Florida native of the Republican party. This bill further places restrictions and regulations on adults in the state seeking to access proper care. This has proven evident in the restriction of testosterone dosage given by doctors statewide. Probably the most shocking effect of this bill is its influence on the custody of children. The state of Florida can now temporarily take custody of transgender minors without the consent of their parents.
Proceeding with the passing of this Bill, protests in Florida have arisen– namely in Tallahassee. The Pride at the Capitol event housed many of these protestors, which was heavily influenced and run by Drag Queens. Photographs showed posters with phrases saying to stop “Erasing Our Trans Babies”. The Pride at the Capitol campaign is a weekly program through Florida’s legislative session. From testifying at hearings, talking with lawmakers, participating in rallies, and protesting through the media– there are endless opportunities to get involved. Learn more about Pride At the Capitol here: https://eqfl.org/PATC
As time goes on, the fear that the United States is devolving, or returning to its old ways can be supported by a multitude of aspects. A shared pessimistic mindset regarding the country’s disposition by 2050 was further researched by a new Pew Research Center Survey from the last 5 years. 73% were confident in the future growing gap between rich and poor, and 65% were confident in the country’s growing polarization. Along with this, several Universities in Florida and Texas were excluded from a national LGBTQ+-friendly list of schools arranged by Campus Pride. This evidence further emphasizes the necessity of establishing a more inclusive, and generally more humanitarian style of government policy– especially in Florida. This law’s impact is not only a breach of privacy but of basic human rights. As previous laws like the infamous “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, “Bathroom Bill” and the “Anti-drag” law have emerged from the state of Florida, the safety and acceptance of being LGBTQ+ in Florida can be questioned. These obscure laws prompt us with the question of whether there’s hope left for Florida as a state– specifically its politics. In the Era of DeSantis, as many Florida Democrats call it, finding unity and organization within the progressive democratic side of politics is necessary.
