Wasserman Schultz Opposes ‘Vile’ Anti-LGBTQ Bills Filed by Florida GOP

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement in response to several pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation being filed in the Florida Legislature:

“It is vile and disgraceful that seven Republican lawmakers started the 2020 regular session of the Florida Legislature with bills whose only purpose is to harm, harass, injure, and demean our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors. Yes, this is happening in the 2020 session, not the 1950 session. At a time when rising seas swallow our cities, children are shot in classrooms, and seniors ration prescription drugs, the Florida GOP instead is drafting bills that would not only make the lives of LGBTQ Floridians immensely more difficult, but also threaten their very survival.

One of these malicious bills would make it a felony to provide gender-affirming medical care to youths experiencing gender dysphoria. Yes, a felony. Another would interfere in local governance by repealing existing protections for LGBTQ employees that counties and cities already adopted. Still another would repeal local prohibitions on conversion or shock therapy, which has led to depression, trauma, or suicide for thousands of LGBTQ youths. These bills must never become law. I am naming these Republican legislators so Florida voters know exactly who they are: Reps. Anthony Sabatini, Bob Rommel, Michael Grant, and Byron Donalds, along with Sens. Dennis Baxley, Joe Gruters, and Keith Perry. These are the ugly, oppressive policies more often found in fundamentalist nations like Iran. So, I ask that all Floridians speak out against this irrational hatred and discrimination.”