Congresswoman Sheila McCormick Releases Statement on the Passing of the Don't Say Gay or Trans Bill by the Florida Legislature

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement regarding the passing of HB 1557 - the Don’t Say Gay or Trans Bill in Florida:  

“Recently, the Florida Senate passed the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill (HB 1557), and it now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for his signature or veto. If enacted, the bill would prevent teachers from providing a safe, inclusive classroom for all. It would block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. This bill would also undermine existing protections for LGBTQ+ students. 

“The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids. The existence of LGBTQ+ people across Florida is not up for debate. There are proud parents, students, and teachers, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to exist boldly, just like everyone else. Discriminatory pieces of legislation like the ‘Don't Say Gay or Trans’ bill will not solve any critical issues in Florida. Instead, these bills shamefully attack and endanger LGBTQ+ students who are just trying to get a quality education, whom the state has an obligation to treat fairly and protect. LGBTQ+ Floridians are more than twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to non-LGBT Floridians. Governor DeSantis must veto HB 1557. 

“According to the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida, 49% of Floridians oppose the legislation while only 40% support it. Opposition for the bill is even stronger in younger populations. A majority of Floridians between the ages of 18 and 24 — recent secondary school graduates — disapprove of efforts to erase LGBTQ+ people in classrooms. 

“The legislative fight to pass discriminatory anti-transgender legislation has already been fast and furious this year, led by national groups aiming to stymie LGBTQ+ progress made on the national level and in many states. There are so far more than 266 anti-LGBTQ+ bills under consideration in state legislatures across the country. Of those, at least 125 directly target transgender people and nearly half of those (57+ bills) would ban trans youth from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. 

“In 2021, 25 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were enacted in states across the country — 13 of which were anti-transgender laws across 8 states — making it the worst year on record for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. More than 290 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced across 33 states in 2021, including more than 140 specifically anti-transgender bills. Each of these marks set a new record for anti-equality legislation being introduced and enacted in a single state legislative session. 

“We must protect our youth at all cost and this is one of the reasons I have come to Washington, DC. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to make sure the rights of ALL Americans are protected.” 

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