Highlights:
DeSantis Criticized The Respect For Marriage Act, Saying The Bill Would Cause Problems For Religious Institutions That Opposed Same-Sex Marriage. According to Politico’s Florida Playbook, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, appearing in one of his familiar and comfortable slots on Fox News, suggested last night that he was opposed to the signing of new congressional legislation enshrining federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.” [Politico – Florida Playbook, 12/14/22]
DeSantis: There Was “No Need” For The Bill And That It Would “Put Religious Institutions In Difficult Spots.” According to Politico’s Florida Playbook, “DeSantis didn’t come out with sharp-edged opposition but contended that the new law could cause problems for religious institutions opposed to same-sex marriage. ‘They are using the power, I think, of the federal government in ways that will absolutely put religious institutions in difficult spots if you have people that are so inclined to be very aggressive against that,’ he told Ingraham. ‘There was certainly no need to do this and I do think that those concerns were valid.’” [Politico – Florida Playbook, 12/14/22]
DeSantis Said He Supported Defining Marriage As Between One Man And One Women. According to The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2012 Candidate Questionnaire Project, obtained via the Internet Archive “MARRIAGE: Defining marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman? SUPPORT.” [Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Accessed 1/25/16]
DeSantis Said He Understood Mike Huckabee’s Threat To Leave The GOP If The Party Did Not Take A Strong Stand Against Gay Marriage. According to Newsmax, “Rep. Ron DeSantis says he understands Mike Huckabee's threat of leaving the GOP if it doesn’t take a strong stand against gay marriage and on other key social issues. DeSantis, a Florida Republican, said on Newsmax TV Friday that it's important for the former Arkansas governor and other conservatives take a stand against liberals, who are ‘hostile to conservatives’ cultural values.’” [Newsmax, 10/10/14]
DeSantis: It Is Important To Take A Stand Against Liberals Who Are “Hostile To Conservatives’ Cultural Values.” According to Newsmax, “Rep. Ron DeSantis says he understands Mike Huckabee's threat of leaving the GOP if it doesn’t take a strong stand against gay marriage and on other key social issues. DeSantis, a Florida Republican, said on Newsmax TV Friday that it's important for the former Arkansas governor and other conservatives take a stand against liberals, who are ‘hostile to conservatives’ cultural values.’” [Newsmax, 10/10/14]
2022: DeSantis Signed House Bill 1557 Into Law. In March 2022, according to the Florida Senate, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 1557, which “[r]equire[d] district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with certain provisions of law for notifying student's parent of specified information; require[d] such procedures to reinforce fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding upbringing & control of their children; prohibit[ed] school district from adopting procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying parent about specified information or that encourage student to withhold from parent such information; prohibit[ed] school district personnel from discouraging or prohibiting parental notification & involvement in critical decisions affecting student's mental, emotional, or physical well-being; prohibit[ed] classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels; require[d] school districts to notify parents of healthcare services; authorize[d] parent to bring action against school district to obtain declaratory judgment; provide[d] for additional award of injunctive relief, damages, & reasonable attorney fees & court costs to certain parents.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 10/27/22; Florida Senate, H.B. 1557]
DeSantis Signed FL HB1069 Which Expanded The State’s “Don’t Say Gay” Provisions By Outlawing School Employees From Asking Students Their Preferred Pronouns. According to Politico, “This measure, encapsulated in FL HB1069 (23R), is part of the state’s push to strengthen a parental rights law that was introduced in 2022 and slammed by critics as ‘Don’t Say Gay.’ The new expansions to the bill include outlawing school employees from asking students for their preferred pronouns and restricting school staff from sharing their pronouns with students if they ‘do not correspond’ with their sex.” [Politico, 5/17/23]
The Law Would Restrict School Staff From Sharing Their Pronouns With Students If Their Pronouns “Do Not Correspond” With The Staffer’s Sex. According to Politico, “This measure, encapsulated in FL HB1069 (23R), is part of the state’s push to strengthen a parental rights law that was introduced in 2022 and slammed by critics as ‘Don’t Say Gay.’ The new expansions to the bill include outlawing school employees from asking students for their preferred pronouns and restricting school staff from sharing their pronouns with students if they ‘do not correspond’ with their sex.” [Politico, 5/17/23]
The Law Would Require Schools To Pull Books Being Challenged As Inappropriate Within Five Days Of Being Flagged. According to Politico, “The wide-ranging measure also requires schools to yank challenged books within five days of someone flagging it, a shift opponents equate to ‘book banning.’” [Politico, 5/17/23]
DeSantis Argued That Teaching Kindergarten Students That “They Can Be Whatever They Want To Be” Was “Inappropriate.” According to NPR, “During a press conference ahead of signing the law, DeSantis said teaching kindergarten-aged kids that ‘they can be whatever they want to be’ was ‘inappropriate’ for children. He said, ‘It’s not something that’s appropriate for any place, but especially not in Florida.’” [NPR, 3/28/22]
DeSantis Claimed Teaching About LGBTQ Topics Was Part Of “Woke Gender Ideology.” According to NPR, “DeSantis and other supporters gathered for the bill signing called this messaging ‘sloganeering’ and referred to efforts to educate students about LGBTQ issues as part of ‘woke gender ideology.’” [NPR, 3/28/22]
DeSantis Accused Opponents Of The Don’t Say Gay Bill Of “Sexualizing Kindergartners.” According to the Washington Post, “DeSantis in particular has used language that seems to villainize people who oppose — and in his view, misrepresent — the law: ‘They have to lie because if they admitted what they were really for, sexualizing kindergartners,’ he said in an interview with Fox News’s Tucker Carlson. ‘ …[T]hey know that would not fly with the public.’” [Washington Post, 4/22/22]
DeSantis’ Press Secretary Accused Opponents Of The Don’t Say Gay Bill Of “Grooming” Children. According to the Washington Post, “His press secretary accused opponents of ‘grooming’ young kids.” [Washington Post, 4/22/22]
2018: DeSantis On Transgender People Using Public Restrooms: “That’s A Totally Inappropriate Use Of Government To Do That […] Getting Into The Bathroom Wars, I Don’t Think That Is A Good Use Of Our Time.” According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Issues addressed during Saturday night’s event could be important as the GOP candidates try to appeal to conservative primary voters. […] Both candidates were asked by Frank Luntz, a Fox News analyst who moderated the event, about legislative battles over the public bathrooms that can be used by transgender people. The issue centers on whether transgender people should be required to use bathrooms that correspond to their sex at birth or whether they can use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. […] DeSantis said he would oppose efforts to have ‘unmarked’ bathrooms. ‘That’s a totally inappropriate use of government to do that,” he said. ‘Getting into the bathroom wars, I don’t think that is a good use of our time.’” [Orlando Sentinel, 5/6/18]
DeSantis’ Education Department Passed A Rule Requiring Educators To Notify Parents Of Any School That Allows For Separation Of Bathrooms Or Locker Rooms On Any Criteria Besides “Biological Sex At Birth.” According to Politico Pro, “Florida’s Board of Education approved new rules Wednesday to carry out several high-profile laws passed by state Republicans this year, including the parental rights law labeled as “Don’t Say Gay” by opponents and a separate one requiring schools to notify parents if bathrooms aren’t separated by biological sex. […] Another rule backed by the board was created to ‘protect the fundamental rights of parents to ensure they are fully informed of how bathrooms are designated ... and how locker rooms ... are designated and supervised.’ This rule spells out that educators must notify parents of any school that allows for separation of bathrooms or locker rooms according to any criteria besides ‘biological sex at birth,’ a move that comes after a recent Title IX rule proposed by the Education Department to bolster protections for transgender students throughout the country. The federal Title IX law prohibits sexual discrimination in any educational program that receives federal funding.” [Politico Pro, 10/19/22]
Florida Department Of Education Planned To Require Schools To Tell Parents If Overnight Field Trip Stays Were “Separated By Biological Sex At Birth.” According to Florida Politics, “The Florida Department of Education is moving forward with a new regulation requiring school districts to adopt policies requiring parents to be notified about lodging details on overnight field trips. Specifically, ‘whether room assignments for overnight lodging will be separated by biological sex at birth.’ The department published a proposed rule Monday that would install the requirement in field trip parental notification forms, along with other details, such as ‘the nature of the field trip, the dates and times, specific locations and types of establishments to be visited, modes of transportation and method of student supervision provided, such as anticipated number of chaperones.’” [Florida Politics, 7/26/22]
DeSantis Signed Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill Which Criminalized Transgender People For Using The Restroom That Matches Their Gender Identities. According to NBC News, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills Wednesday restricting LGBTQ rights, including a measure that expands what critics have called the state’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law and another that will ban transition-related care for minors. He also signed a bill that will bar trans people from using the public facilities that align with their gender identities and another that will restrict “adult” performances in front of minors. He said the latter measure was intended to limit drag performances.” [NBC News, 5/17/23]
Florida’s Bathroom Law Was Challenged In Court By An LGBTQ+ Group Which Alleged That The Law Was Discriminatory And Violated Free-Speech Rights. According to NBC Miami, “A group of transgender and nonbinary people on Friday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Florida law requiring people to use public restrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth, asking a judge to block enforcement before an upcoming march in Orlando. The lawsuit, filed in the federal Middle District of Florida, alleged that the restroom restrictions are discriminatory and violate free-speech rights. The case is the latest in a series of challenges to laws and rules approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the Legislature targeting trans people and the LGBTQ community.” [NBC Miami, 10/1/23]
Florida’s Anti-LGBTQ Bathroom Rule Would Apply To Private Schools. According to WMFE, “Students and faculty at private colleges and universities will only be allowed to use facilities that align with the sex they were assigned at birth under a new Florida Board of Education rule. These rules have been in place at public schools in the state since July 1st under the Safety in Private Spaces Act. Under the new rule, private school students and faculty will join their public school peers in only being allowed to use facilities that align with the sex they were assigned at birth.” [WMFE, 10/18/23]
DeSantis Signed SB 254, Which Banned Trans Children From Receiving Gender-Affirming Care. According to Politico, “Gov. Ron DeSantis put the final stamp on several of the more contentious proposals of Florida’s legislative session Wednesday by signing into law a ban on transgender minors receiving gender-affirming care and expansions to state’s parental rights rules panned by critics as ‘Don’t Say Gay.’ […] One of the key measures enacted Wednesday, SB 254, bans transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, putting Florida in line with more than a dozen other states currently prohibiting doctors from providing minors with hormone therapies or, in some rare cases, surgeries.” [Politico, 5/17/23]
DeSantis Said He Would Be Interested In Banning Gender Affirming Care For Children. According to NBC News, “DeSantis, who is likely to remain in the headlines as a top Republican culture warrior, told Boothe he would be interested in banning transgender children from receiving hormones or surgery as part of ‘gender affirming care,’ which the state Health Department is examining.” [NBC News, 5/2/22]
[Video] DeSantis Criticized Gender-Affirming Care, Calling It “Disfiguring Kids.” According to DeSantis’ personal twitter, “If a 14-year-old can’t get a tattoo, that child should not be able to take puberty blockers or mutilate their body by getting a sex change. Gender-affirming care is a euphemism for disfiguring kids.” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 8/16/22]
DeSantis Said Doctors Who Performed Gender Reassignment Surgeries On Minors Should Face Legal Action. According to the New York Post, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called for doctors who perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors to be sued at a Wednesday press conference. ‘They talk about these very young kids getting gender-affirming care,’ DeSantis said, who used air quotes while using the phrase. ‘What they don’t tell you what that is is that they are giving very young girls double mastectomies, they want to castrate these young boys — that’s wrong.’ Several of DeSantis’ press reps have questioned the ‘gender-affirming care’ phrase in recent months, arguing that it doesn’t specify the procedures being performed in some cases. And in April, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said minors experiencing gender dysphoria should instead receive counseling to address their concerns. ‘You don’t disfigure 10-, 12-, 13-year-old kids based on gender dysphoria,’ DeSantis added Wednesday. ‘Eighty percent of it resolves anyways by the time they get older. So why would you be doing this? I think these doctors need to get sued for what’s happening, I’m sorry.’” [New York Post, 8/3/22]
June 2022: The DeSantis Administration Asked The State Board Regulating Doctors To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Transgender Minors. According to NBC News, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration Thursday asked the state board regulating doctors to essentially ban transition-related care for transgender minors, according to a letter obtained by NBC News. The state Health Department made the request hours after another state agency issued a 46-page report to justify banning Medicaid coverage for transgender people of any age who want puberty blockers, hormone therapies or gender-assignment surgery. The two-pronged effort, which ensures DeSantis can act quickly and without the need for legislative approval, drew instant opposition from activists and medical professionals.” [NBC News, 6/2/22]
August 2022: Florida’s Health Department Filed Petition With State Medical Board To Ban Transition-Related Medical Care For Children. According to Politico’s Florida Playbook, “Florida’s health department has asked the state medical board to ban transition-related medical care for children and has accused the federal government and two medical organizations of creating confusion over the issue. The Florida Department of Health wrote in a petition filed with the state Board of Medicine last week that the agency could not find any evidence indicating that treatments such as surgery and hormone therapy were safe for children under the age of 18 years old. Florida’s health department accused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society of misleading the public into believing the treatments are safe.” [Politico – Florida Playbook, 8/2/22]
November 2022: Florida Medical Board, Whose Members Were Appointed By DeSantis, Voted To Ban Doctors From Providing Gender-Affirming Treatment To Minors. According to the New York Times, “Florida has effectively banned medications and surgery for new adolescent patients seeking gender transitions after an unprecedented vote by the state’s medical board. The move makes Florida one of several states to restrict what’s known as gender-affirming care for adolescents, but the first to do so through the actions of its Board of Medicine, whose 14 members were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. […] The board voted 6-3 (with five others not present) on Friday to adopt a new standard of care that forbids doctors to prescribe puberty blockers and hormones, or perform surgeries, until transgender patients are 18. Exceptions will be allowed for children who are already receiving the treatments. The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine also voted to restrict care for new patients on Friday, but allowed an exception for children enrolled in clinical studies. Doctors who flout the rules risk losing their medical licenses.” [New York Times, 11/4/22]
Eight Of The 14 Members Of The Florida Board Of Medicine Were DeSantis Donors. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “As the Florida Board of Medicine considers banning medical treatments for transgender youth, a move urged by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, the board’s chairperson has assured LGBTQ advocates that the group ‘is vociferously apolitical.’ But at least eight of the board’s 14 members, who are all DeSantis appointees, have donated to the Republican governor’s campaigns or political committee, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis. Among the donors are a GOP fundraiser close with the Bush family, a vascular surgeon who wrote a $25,000 check and the board chairperson, who contributed $2,000.” [Tampa Bay Times, 11/3/22]
Florida Board Of Medicine Member Said The Board Could Not Find Sufficient Evidence Of Studies On Children Who Underwent Gender-Affirming Treatments, Said “Those Studies Don’t Exist.” According to Politico, “Board of Medicine member Patrick Hunter said during the meeting that he could not find evidence of any sufficient studies on children who undergo gender-affirming treatments such as puberty-blocking drugs and surgery. ‘Those studies don’t exist,’ Hunter said. ‘We don’t have high quality evidence based on that.’” [Politico, 10/28/22]
PolitiFact Ruled DeSantis’ Medical Board Misrepresented Gender Affirming Research Before Ruling On Ban. According to PolitiFact, “Behind Florida's decision to block clinical services for transgender adolescents is a talking point — repeated by the state's governor and top medical authorities — that most cases of gender incongruence fade over time. The Florida Board of Medicine voted Nov. 4 to approve a rule that barred physicians from performing surgical procedures on minors to alter ‘primary or secondary sexual characteristics’ and from prescribing them medication to suppress puberty and hormones. The rule included an exception for patients who were already receiving those treatments. […] PolitiFact consulted with experts and data to determine whether gender incongruence will ‘resolve itself’ for a large cohort of teenagers. The experts we interviewed said Florida mischaracterized a statistic linked to an academic review from 2016. What's more, the doctor whose work is cited as the statistic's source has said the data he consulted is not ‘optimal’ and can lead to ‘wrong inferences.’” [PolitiFact, 12/5/22]
DeSantis Said In A Tweet Responding To The Video Of Biden That “It Is Not Acceptable For The Federal Government To Mandate That Procedures Like Sex Change Operations Be Allowed For Kids.” According to DeSantis’ twitter, “It is not "sinful" to prohibit the mutilation of minors. It is not acceptable for the federal government to mandate that procedures like sex change operations be allowed for kids.”
DeSantis’ tweet was responding to a Libs Of TikTok tweet, “Biden suggests it’s ‘sinful’ and ‘cruel’ to ban puberty blockers and sex change surgeries for kids.” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 3/14/23 ; Twitter, @libsoftiktok, 3/13/23]
[Video] DeSantis Tweeted “Children Are Not Guinea Pigs For Science Experiments, And We Cannot Allow People To Make Money Off Mutilating Them.” According to DeSantis’ twitter, “Children are not guinea pigs for science experiments, and we cannot allow people to make money off mutilating them. Thank you, Chloe, for sharing your story – Florida is listening.” [Twitter, @GovRonDeSantis, 3/14/23]
Public Records Revealed The State Coordinated With Consultants Who Have Taken Stances To Counter Major Medical Organizations On How To Treat Gender Dysphoria. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Days before a state agency began researching whether transgender medical care for Floridians should be covered by Medicaid, officials started lining up experts known for going against the scientific mainstream. The resulting report and state rule revoked Medicaid coverage of treatments for gender dysphoria, like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. It was thrown out by a federal judge, who in his June order called the rule an ‘exercise in politics, not good medicine.’ Hundreds of pages of state employee testimony and internal agency records gathered as part of the federal case show how closely the state coordinated with consultants who have taken stances counter to major medical organizations on how to treat gender dysphoria. Those consultants were paid tens of thousands of dollars by the state.” [Tampa Bay Times, 8/2/23]
DeSantis’ Administration Requested Data On Individuals Who Received Gender-Affirming Care From Florida Universities. According to Politico, “The DeSantis administration is requesting a trove of information on individuals who receive gender-affirming treatments at Florida universities, furthering its practice of questioning or scaling back treatment for transgender people. In a blanket request to 12 state universities, top officials with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis are seeking data on the number of individuals who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria or received treatment in campus clinics across Florida. It’s unclear what exactly DeSantis intends to do with the information, but his administration says it involves ‘governing institutional resources and protecting the public interest.’ ‘Our office has learned that several state universities provide services to persons suffering from gender dysphoria. On behalf of the Governor, I hereby request that you respond to the enclosed inquiries related to such services,’ wrote Chris Spencer, director of the Office of Policy and Budget for DeSantis, in a Jan. 11 memo to schools that was released Wednesday.” [Politico, 1/18/23]
DeSantis Posed A List Of Questions For Universities, Including Asking For Numbers Of Students Who Received Gender-Affirming Treatments Spanning The Last Five Years. According to Politico, “The request from DeSantis poses a list of questions for universities, such as asking them to provide the number of students or individuals who received gender-affirming treatment, including surgical procedures, spanning the last five years and where the treatment was sought. It also asks how many of those cases were ‘first-time’ visits for treatment or were referred to other facilities.” [Politico, 1/18/23]
DeSantis’ Administration Requested Data On The Number Of Students Who Were Diagnosed With Gender Identity Disorders. According to Politico, “The DeSantis administration also wants to know how many students were diagnosed with gender identity disorders under a medical classification. Additionally, the request asks for a breakdown of how many people were prescribed puberty blockers, hormones or hormone antagonists, or underwent a medical procedure.” [Politico, 1/18/23]
DeSantis’ Administration Requested Data On The Number Of People Prescribed Puberty Blockers, Hormones, Or Underwent Medical Procedures. According to Politico, “The DeSantis administration also wants to know how many students were diagnosed with gender identity disorders under a medical classification. Additionally, the request asks for a breakdown of how many people were prescribed puberty blockers, hormones or hormone antagonists, or underwent a medical procedure.” [Politico, 1/18/23]
State Agency Issued A Report Justifying Banning Medicaid Coverage For Transgender People Of Any Age Who Sought Gender-Affirming Care. According to NBC News, “The state Health Department made the request hours after another state agency issued a 46-page report to justify banning Medicaid coverage for transgender people of any age who want puberty blockers, hormone therapies or gender-assignment surgery. The two-pronged effort, which ensures DeSantis can act quickly and without the need for legislative approval, drew instant opposition from activists and medical professionals. They have increasingly clashed with DeSantis, a Republican, as he seeks re-election and builds a national brand as a culture warrior and potential 2024 White House contender.” [NBC News, 6/2/22]
State Health Officials Argued That Hormones And Reassignment Surgery For Transgender People Should Not Be Covered Due To Lack Of Safety Or Effectiveness. According to the Herald-Tribune, “State health officials argue that puberty-blocking medication, cross-sex hormones and sex reassignment surgery for transgender people should not be covered by Medicaid because such treatments have not been proven safe or effective.” [Herald-Tribune, 7/8/22]
State Officials Contended That Such Treatments Do Not Fall Under The Definition Of “Medical Necessity.” According to the Herald-Tribune, “State health officials argue that puberty-blocking medication, cross-sex hormones and sex reassignment surgery for transgender people should not be covered by Medicaid because such treatments have not been proven safe or effective. They also contend that such treatments do not meet the definition of ‘medical necessity,’ a key requirement because, by law, Medicaid services must be deemed medically necessary. The state’s position was outlined last month when state health officials released a lengthy report on the issue.” [Herald-Tribune, 7/8/22]
Yale Experts Said The Report Was Flawed And Politically Motivated. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “A report from Florida’s Medicaid agency is anticipated to be the basis for a state rule banning the use of Medicaid to pay for hormonal therapies to treat transgender people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. It concluded last month that puberty blockers and other hormones are ‘experimental and investigational.’ But a group of seven scientists and a Yale law professor are slamming the state report as unscientific, thoroughly flawed and politically motivated.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Experts Said The State’s Report Ignored Accepted Scientific Studies Acknowledging Gender Dysphoria. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The report ignored accepted scientific studies and consensus acknowledging gender dysphoria and the medical therapies effective in treating it.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Experts Noted The State Report Had No Scientific Merit, Included Citations From Student Blog And Letters To The Editor. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The report cites sources that have no scientific merit, including a student blog and a letter to the editor.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Yale Law Professor And Author Of The Analysis, Anne Alstott, Said Florida Was Using “Pseudo Science” To Justify Medical Policies That Fit A Political Agenda. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Anne Alstott, a professor at Yale Law School and one of the authors of the analysis, said Florida is using pseudo science to justify medical policy that fits a political agenda. The state’s proposed rule would violate both the U.S. and state constitutions, in addition to Florida’s own rules that medical policy must be based on peer-reviewed science and accepted clinical guidelines, she said. ‘The idea that you would take transgender people and take away their ability to access standard medical care is appalling,’ she said. ‘It’s quite clear a medical policy that targets only medical care for transgender people is discrimination.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Experts Said That Experts Who Wrote The State Report Had Ties To Groups That Opposed Legal Rights For LGBTQ Community, And Were Picked Because Of Their Biases. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Experts who helped write the report — some with ties to groups that oppose legal rights for the LGBTQ community — were chosen because of their bias.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Experts Said If The State Used The Same Criteria For Their Transgender Care Report To Evaluate Other Treatments, The State Would No Longer Allow Medicaid To Pay For Drugs To Lower Cholesterol. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “If the state used the same criteria to evaluate other treatments, it would no longer, for example, allow Medicaid to pay for drugs that lower cholesterol.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/14/22]
Florida State Employee Claimed The State Did Not Follow Generally Accepted Professional Medical Standards (GAPMS) When Creating Their Report Against Gender-Affirming Care For Medicaid Users. According to the Hill, “Florida health officials circumvented traditional regulatory channels to draft a report recommending gender-affirming health care be excluded from coverage under Medicaid, a state employee alleges in an exchange included in new court filings. […] But new court documents filed late Friday by plaintiffs in a case challenging Florida’s Medicaid exclusion include allegations from an AHCA employee that state health officials did not follow customary procedures for developing generally accepted professional medical standards (GAPMS) in creating the June report. Documentation of an email exchange between Christopher Cogle, the chief medical officer of Florida Medicaid, and Jeffrey English, an AHCA employee, show evidence of tension within the agency over the GAPMS recommendation on treatments for gender dysphoria.” [The Hill, 1/21/23]
AHCA Employee Jeffrey English Argued To Chief Medical Officer Christopher Cogle That GAPMS Was Not Handled Through “Traditional Channels.” According to the Hill, “Documentation of an email exchange between Christopher Cogle, the chief medical officer of Florida Medicaid, and Jeffrey English, an AHCA employee, show evidence of tension within the agency over the GAPMS recommendation on treatments for gender dysphoria. Cogle in the June correspondence inquired whether the AHCA has a standard operating procedure for GAPMS recommendations, to which English responded in the affirmative, adding, ‘If you will excuse me, I feel obligated to include this information: I was not informed or consulted, did not in any way participate, and did not write the GAPMS concerning gender dysphoria treatment.’ ‘That particular GAPMS did not come through the traditional channels and was not handled through the traditional GAPMS process,’ English wrote.” [The Hill, 1/21/23]
English Said He Did Not Cherry Pick Data For The Study, Said The Report “Does Not Present An Honest And Accurate Assessment […] As I Understand Them To Be In The Existing Literature.” According to the Hill, “‘I do not cherry pick data or studies and would never agree to if I were so asked,’ he continued. ‘All I can say about that report, as I have read it, is that it does not present an honest and accurate assessment of the status of the current evidence and practice guidelines as I understand them to be in the existing literature.’” [The Hill, 1/21/23]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Bar The Defense Department From Funding Gender Transition With Limited Exceptions. In July 2017, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] the use of Defense Department funds to provide medical treatment (other than mental health treatment) related to gender transition to a person entitled to military medical care under current law.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 defense authorization. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 209 to 214. [House Vote 369, 7/13/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 183; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2810]
DeSantis Signed Law Banning Trans Women From Participating In School-Sponsored Women’s Sports. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “After months of contentious debate, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a bill banning transgender females from participating in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports. At a bill signing event at the Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, DeSantis touted the ban as a way to protect the integrity of women’s and girls’ sports. The provision he signed into law would prohibit an athlete from competing in school-sponsored girls’ and women’s sports if the athlete was not assigned the female gender at birth. Elementary school athletes are not included in the ban. ‘In Florida, girls are going to play girls’ sports, and boys are going to play boys’ sports,’ DeSantis said.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/1/21]
DeSantis: “In Florida, Girls Are Going To Play Girls’ Sports, And Boys Are Going To Play Boys’ Sports.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “At a bill signing event at the Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, DeSantis touted the ban as a way to protect the integrity of women’s and girls’ sports. The provision he signed into law would prohibit an athlete from competing in school-sponsored girls’ and women’s sports if the athlete was not assigned the female gender at birth. Elementary school athletes are not included in the ban. ‘In Florida, girls are going to play girls’ sports, and boys are going to play boys’ sports,’ DeSantis said.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/1/21]
DeSantis: “We Are Going To Go Based Off Biology – Not Based On Ideology.” According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports Tuesday, sparking an immediate outcry from South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community that vowed to fight the contentious new law. ‘It will ensure fairness for women athletes for years to come in the state of Florida. ... We are going to go based off biology — not based on ideology,’ DeSantis said at a news conference on the first day of Pride Month, which celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.” [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 6/1/21]
DeSantis Signed A Proclamation Declaring Emma Weyant The Rightful Winner Of The NCAA 500-Yard Women’s Freestyle Swimming Championship Event After She Lost To Lia Thomas Who Is Trans. According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring Emma Weyant, a collegiate swimmer who grew up in Sarasota, the ‘rightful winner’ after she lost to a transgender opponent in the NCAA 500-yard women's freestyle swimming championship event. The governor's proclamation adds to the controversy surrounding the women's collegiate swimming championship. Weyant is an Olympic silver medalist who moved to Sarasota from Pennsylvania at age 7, swam for the Sarasota Sharks, graduated from Riverview High School and now swims for the University of Virginia. She lost last week to Penn swimmer Lia Thomas, who became the first transgender athlete in any sport to win a NCAA Division I championship.” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 3/22/22]
DeSantis Joined Republicans Attacking Bud Light And Anheuser Busch Over Collaborating With Trans Influencer Dylan Mulvaney. According to Florida Politics, “Gov. Ron DeSantis has pooled up a stool at the culture war bar Just hours after the Governor floated building a state prison next to Disney World, he waded into the ongoing controversy regarding Bud Light and a controversial collaboration with trans actress and influencer Dylan Mulvaney. In comments exclusive to ‘The Benny Show,’ the Governor vowed never to drink the domestic lager again before offering another big reveal of his own: that his favorite brew isn’t even American. ‘Why would you want to drink Bud Light? I mean, like, honestly that’s like them rubbing our faces in it and it’s like these companies that do this, if they never have any response, they’re just going to keep doing it. So, if you as a consumer are like … ‘Like, yeah, they’re doing that, but I’m just going to keep drinking anyways.’ Well, then they’re going to keep doing it,’ DeSantis said, before extolling the power of the selective boycott. […] ‘But it’s part of a larger thing where corporate America is trying to change our country, trying to change policy, trying to change culture. And, you know, I’d rather be governed by ‘we the people’ than companies. And so I think pushback is in order across the board, including with Bud Light.’” [Florida Politics, 4/18/23]
DeSantis Suggested Society Should Not Accept Transgender People. EXCLUSIVE: Gov. DeSantis on Dylan Mulvaney – ‘It's a total fraud.’ ‘Are we going to be a society based on truth or based on deceit? If you take a man and they dress up as a woman you're asking me to be complicit in a lie. I refuse to do that. The truth will set you free.’” [Twitter, @bennyjohnson, 4/18/23]
DeSantis Headlined A Fundraiser Hosted By A Florida Lobbyist For Bud Light Parent Company Anheuser-Busch
DeSantis Headlined A Campaign Fundraiser Hosted By Slater Bayliss, A Florida Lobbyist For Bud Light Parent Company, Anheuser-Busch. According to Raw Story, “Republican presidential candidate and Bud Light basher Ron DeSantis is scheduled to headline a fundraiser Friday hosted by Slater Bayliss, a registered Florida lobbyist for Bud Light’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch. The event in Washington, D.C., costs a minimum $1,000 per person to attend and will benefit DeSantis' campaign according to an invitation obtained by Raw Story.” [Raw Story, 6/22/23]
Bayless Was Registered As A Lobbyist For Anheuser-Busch Effective January 4, 2023. According to Florida Lobbyist Registration And Compensation. [Florida Lobbyist, Accessed 6/28/23]
As Part Of A “Rip The Woke Out Of The Military” Push, DeSantis Vowed To Prohibit Transgender People From Serving In The Military Under Their Preferred Gender. According to the Miami Herald, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a sweeping plan on Tuesday to ‘rip the woke out of the military’ and restore a ‘mission first’ vision for American servicemembers, claiming that liberal political and social agendas had weakened the country’s ability to defend itself. […] He vowed to ban drag shows on military bases, prohibit transgender people from serving in the military under their preferred gender and require military members to meet gender-neutral physical qualifications.” [Miami Herald, 7/18/23]
DeSantis Has Vowed To Ban Drag Shows On Military Bases. According to the Miami Herald, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a sweeping plan on Tuesday to ‘rip the woke out of the military’ and restore a ‘mission first’ vision for American servicemembers, claiming that liberal political and social agendas had weakened the country’s ability to defend itself. […] He vowed to ban drag shows on military bases, prohibit transgender people from serving in the military under their preferred gender and require military members to meet gender-neutral physical qualifications.” [Miami Herald, 7/18/23]
DeSantis Blamed Drag Queens For Poor U.S. Military Recruiting Efforts. According to Florida Politics, “In Iowa Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said ‘drag queens’ were part of the reason people didn’t want to enlist in the United States military. ‘When you see videos of folks recruiting for the military services using things like drag queens, you know, that is just fundamentally wrong,’ DeSantis said in Sioux Center at the Feenstra Family Picnic, a major confab of Iowa Republicans. The U.S. Navy, which DeSantis was a member of, used a female impersonator as a ‘digital ambassador.’ The service member, named Joshua Kelley, performs as ‘Harpy Daniels.’” [Florida Politics, 5/13/23]
DeSantis Signed Extreme “License To Discriminate” In Health Care Bill Which Would Allow Health Care Providers To Deny Care Or Coverage To LGBTQ People. “Declaring ‘it is important that physicians be able to tell the truth and buck the system,’ DeSantis was in Northwest Florida to sign SB 1580/HB 1403, which was sponsored by Navarre resident and state Rep. Joel Rudman and Sen. Jay Trumbull, whose district includes Destin. Senate Bill 1580, ‘Protections of Medical Conscience,’ allows Florida health care providers and payors to refuse services based on their moral, ethical or religious beliefs. The bill was one of more than a dozen bills closely watched by LGBTQ advocates who were concerned health care providers and insurers would use it to deny health care or coverage of health care to transgender people.” [Pensacola News Journal, 5/11/23]
DeSantis Signed An Anti-Discrimination Order For State Employees Titled “Reaffirming Commitment To Diversity In Government” Which Did Not Include Protections For LGBTQ People. According to the Orlando Weekly, “Hours after being sworn in on Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an anti-discrimination order for state employees that excluded protections for LGBTQ people. The Republican governor signed the ‘Reaffirming Commitment to Diversity in Government’ order, which pledges that his administration will prohibit discrimination in employment based on ‘age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status or disability’ for government employees and contractors. The order, though, does not include ‘sexual orientation’ or ‘gender identity’ among the listed protections.” [Orlando Weekly, 1/10/19]
DeSantis’ Order Did Not Include “Sexual Orientation” Or “Gender Identity” Among Listed Protections For State Employees. According to the Orlando Weekly, “The Republican governor signed the ‘Reaffirming Commitment to Diversity in Government’ order, which pledges that his administration will prohibit discrimination in employment based on ‘age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status or disability’ for government employees and contractors. The order, though, does not include ‘sexual orientation’ or ‘gender identity’ among the listed protections.” [Orlando Weekly, 1/10/19]
When Pressed, DeSantis Said His Policy Was A Continuation Of Former Governor Scott’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “When asked about the exclusion of the LGBTQ community at a press conference Thursday, DeSantis said he was simply continuing the anti-discrimination policy that came before him under Gov. Rick Scott. ‘My workplace policy is really just one sentence: we hire based on merit.’ he said.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/18/19]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Effectively Allow Employment Discrimination By Federal Contractors On The Basis Of Being LGBT. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar use of appropriated funds in contravention of an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” The underlying legislation was the FY 2017 Military Construction and VA appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 212 to 213. [House Vote 226, 5/19/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/19/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1079; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4974]
2016: DeSantis Voted For An FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, Which Included A Provisions Which Would Effectively Allow Federal Contractors To Discriminate Against LGBT Employees. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an FY 2017 NDAA, which authorized over $600 billion for a discretionary defense program which included a provision allowing federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT employees. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “specifie[d] that the government, when awarding contracts or grants to any religious organization, must abide by the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act (PL 101-336). (Many members believe that this language would effectively supplant a July 2014 executive order by President Obama that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of list of protected categories that apply to federal contractors and their employees. Opponents of that executive order argue that it requires religious organizations receiving government money to override their religious beliefs when offering services.)” The underlying legislation would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “authorize[d] $602.2 billion in discretionary funding for defense programs in fiscal 2017. The total would [have] include[d] $58.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations funding, of which $23.1 billion of would be used for non-war, base defense budget needs.” The vote was on the legislation. The House passed the bill by a vote of 277 to 147. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill, but a different defense authorization later became law. [House Vote 216, 5/18/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/16; Congressional Actions, S. 2943; Congressional Quarterly, 5/16/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4909]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Exempt Religious Groups From President Obama’s Order Preventing Federal Contractors From Discriminating Against LGBT Employees. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that, according to the Washington Post, “But Republicans are pushing back in a broader effort to preserve ‘religious liberty’ from Obama’s recent actions — one to prevent discrimination against LGBT employees of federal contractors and the other directing the nation’s public schools to provide bathrooms and locker rooms for transgender students that correspond to their gender identity. The House also voted 233-186 to approve a measure introduced by Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) that would exempt religious groups from Obama’s directives to contractors and public schools.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 233 to 186. The House later rejected the overall legislation. [House Vote 259, 5/25/16; Washington Post, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1130; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Prohibiting Federal Contractors From Discriminating Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity As Part Of An FY 2017 Energy And Water Appropriations Bill. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an FY 2017 energy and water appropriations bill, which included policy riders such as prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and provisions targeting the Iran nuclear deal sanctuary cities. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “provide[d] $37.4 billion in fiscal 2017 to fund the Energy Department, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation. It would [have] provide[d] $30.1 billion for the Energy Department, of which $12.9 billion would be designated for the National Nuclear Security Administration. It also would [have] provide[d] $6.1 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers and $1.1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation. As amended, the measure would [have] prohibit[ed] use of funds to buy heavy water from Iran or in contravention of an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, except as required under the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment and Article I of the Constitution.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the legislation by a vote of 112 to 305. [House Vote 266, 5/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/26/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Prohibiting Federal Contractors From Discriminating Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity. In May 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “bar[red] use of funds made available by the bill in contravention of an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, except as required under the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment and Article I of the Constitution.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 223 to 195. The underlying bill later failed to pass in the House. [House Vote 258, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1128; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Preventing The D.C. Voucher Program From Being Used At Schools That Discriminate Applicants Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity. In April 2016, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “codif[ied] exclusion from the bill’s private school voucher program any eligible entity or school that discriminates against program participants or applicants on the basis of ‘actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.’” The underlying legislation would have “reauthorize[d] the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) program at current funding ($60 million annually) through fiscal 2021.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 167 to 228. [House Vote 178, 4/29/16; Congressional Quarterly, 4/29/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4901]
2016: DeSantis Voted To Bar Certain Previously Awarded Funding To North Carolina From Being Revoked, In Response To North Carolina’s HB2. In May 2016, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] use of funds made available by the bill to revoke funding previously awarded to North Carolina.” According to the New York Times, “The Obama administration is considering whether North Carolina’s new law on gay and transgender rights makes the state ineligible for billions of dollars in federal aid for schools, highways and housing, officials said Friday.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill. The vote was on the amendment. The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 227 to 192. The underlying legislation failed to pass the House. [House Vote 255, 5/25/16; Congressional Quarterly, 5/25/16; New York Times, 4/1/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 1115; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5055]
DeSantis Signed SB 1438, Which Would Block Drag Show Promoters And Venues From Allowing Children To Attend Performances. According to Politico, “In addition to these bills, DeSantis also signed: SB 1438, which seeks to block drag show promoters and venues that allow children to attend drag shows depicting nudity or sexual content. Florida’s business regulator can revoke an establishment’s license to operate and fine it up to $10,000 if they violate this law.” [Politico, 5/17/23]
The Law Would Allow The State To Revoke A Business’s Establishment Licenses And Could Impose Fines Up To $10,000 If Violated. According to Politico, “In addition to these bills, DeSantis also signed: SB 1438, which seeks to block drag show promoters and venues that allow children to attend drag shows depicting nudity or sexual content. Florida’s business regulator can revoke an establishment’s license to operate and fine it up to $10,000 if they violate this law.” [Politico, 5/17/23]
DeSantis Said That He Had “Asked [His] Folks To Look” At Legal Efforts To Crack Down On Drag Shows In The Presence Of A Minor. According to Florida Politics, “Following an outcry over viral videos of a Dallas Pride Month drag show aimed at kids, Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is looking into preventing bringing children to such shows. At least one Texas Republican lawmaker has vowed to file legislation to ban drag shows in the presence of minors. And Howey-in-the-Hills Rep. Anthony Sabatini, an outspoken right-wing Republican running for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, called for an ‘emergency Special Session’ on the matter, citing ‘Pride on the Block: Drag Show for Kids,’ advertised for West Palm Beach last Sunday. Asked about Sabatini’s call during a news conference in Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, DeSantis said the state might already be able to target drag shows for children. ‘I’ve asked my folks to look,’ the Republican Governor said. ‘We have child protective statutes on the books. We have laws against child endangerment.’ DeSantis wants to let ‘kids be kids’ and grow up in a ‘normal environment’ without having political agendas ‘shoved down their throats,’ he continued. ‘You had these very young kids, and they must have been like 9, 10 years old, at a quote, ‘drag show,’ where they were putting money in the underwear of this — and that is totally inappropriate. That is not something that children should be exposed to,’ DeSantis said. ‘We probably — we may have the ability to deal with that if something like that happens.’” [Florida Politics, 6/9/22]
Florida’s Department Of Business And Professional Regulation Filed Complaint Against Miami Bar That Offered Drag Shows To Children, Citing Examples Of “Lewd Shows” Dancing “Mere Steps” From Children. According to Breitbart, “The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) served a complaint Tuesday on a bar in Miami that offers drag shows to children, and which was recently featured in viral videos showing a topless drag queen attempting to entertain a young girl. The R House bar, located in the Wynwood area of Miami, has 21 days to respond to the administrative complaint. If the bar is found to be in violation of local laws and codes, it could then lose its liquor license, effectively putting it out of business. Video posted earlier this month by the ‘Libs of Tik Tok,’ a Twitter account that brings notoriety to far-left activists, showed a drag queen with exposed breasts and a thong stuffed with money leading a little girl by the hand around a bar during a show. The DBPR complaint identifies the girl as appearing to be ‘between three and five years old,’ according to the video. […] The DBPR complaint cites several examples of lewd shows portrayed on social media, but also includes first-hand observations such as a performer in a suggestive outfit allegedly dancing “mere steps” from a child during a drag show.” [Breitbart, 7/26/22]
DeSantis Attacked Miami Bar That Held Drag Shows For Children. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The state of Florida has gone after a Miami-area restaurant after videos surfaced of its drag shows in front of kids, saying the performances violated the sensibilities of children. After videos appeared of drag performers wearing pasties and dollar bills flowing from a bikini bottom in the presence of children in the audience, the state is going after the restaurant’s liquor license to shut it down, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday. He said children didn’t need ‘some agenda shoved down their throats all the time.’ ‘We said, ‘Wait a minute, having kids involved in this is wrong,’ DeSantis said during a news conference in Tampa. ‘That is not the way you look out for our children, you protect children, you do not expose them to things that are inappropriate.’ The fresh scrutiny sets up a clash between two competing interests: The state’s efforts, backed by DeSantis, to crack down on any business it deems a nuisance — against some parents’ decisions to let children attend drag shows.” [Orlando Sentinel, 7/27/22]
DeSantis Said Such Actions Could Put The Liquor License Of The Establishment In Jeopardy. According to Florida Politics, “He said the establishment, later identified as R House Wynwood, is under investigation through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which may lead to the revocation of its liquor license. He argued such encounters are part of a disturbing trend that is sexualizing children. ‘Having kids involved in this is wrong, that is not consistent with our law and policy in the state of Florida,’ he said. The investigation revealed that not only are children going to the advertised ‘Drag Brunch,’ but there’s a children’s menu, DeSantis said. ‘They looked under Florida law, and were able to initiate this procedure that would basically take away the liquor license for that,’ DeSantis said. The owner of the establishment, which Miami New Times awarded ‘Best Mojito’ this year, did not return a call seeking comment. But a spokesperson for R House Wynwood did, and released a statement on behalf of the ownership. ‘We are aware of the complaint and are currently working with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, through our attorney, to rectify the situation,’ said Larry Carrino, president of Brustman Carrino PR in Miami in an emailed statement. ‘We are hopeful that Gov. DeSantis, a vociferous supporter and champion of Florida’s hospitality industry and small businesses, will see this as what it is, a misunderstanding, and that the matter will be resolved positively and promptly.’” [Florida Politics, 7/27/22]
DeSantis’ Administration Sought To Revoke The Hyatt Regency Miami’s Liquor License Following A Christmas-Themed Drag Show Which The State Claimed Minors Were Present. According to the Miami Herald, “Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is seeking to revoke the Hyatt Regency Miami’s liquor license because one of its facilities hosted a Christmas-themed drag queen show in which the state claimed minors were present. The event — ‘A Drag Queen Christmas’ — was held on Dec. 27 at the James L. Knight Center, a 4,500-seat auditorium affiliated with the hotel that typically hosts concerts, graduation ceremonies and other events. The December show was hosted by Nina West, a star from the reality show ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ and minors were required to be accompanied by an adult to attend. In a 17-page administrative complaint, state regulators said the venue’s admission policies allowed minors to attend the event and as a result, they were exposed to performers who were ‘wearing sexually suggestive clothing and prosthetic female genitalia.’ ‘The nature of the show’s performances, particularly when conducted in the presence of young children, corrupts the public morals and outrages the sense of public decency,’ according to the complaint, filed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.” [Miami Herald, 3/15/23]
Florida’s Department Of Business And Professional Regulation To Investigate Christmas Fort Lauderdale Drag Show That Allegedly Exposed Children To “Sexually Explicit” Activity. According to Fox News, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration announced Tuesday that it is investigating a Christmas drag show event that allegedly exposed children to ‘sexualized acts.’ The event, which was held at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, was part of a national tour for ‘A Drag Queen Christmas.’ The event, which was first reported by The Floridian, allegedly features sexually provocative content and expressions content, such as ‘t-ts in a box’ and lewd dances Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis, published a statement about the incident. ‘The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is aware of multiple complaints about a sexually explicit performance marketed to children held in Fort Lauderdale on December 26th. The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event. DPBR will, like in other cases, take action,’ the statement read. ‘Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida, and such action violates the Department’s licensing standards for operating a business and holding a liquor license.’ The statement said any evidence gathered would be shared with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for potential criminal liability.” [Fox News, 12/27/22]
DeSantis’ Spokesperson Said Any Evidence Gathered From The Investigation Would Be Shared With Florida Department Of Law Enforcement. According to Fox News, “Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis, published a statement about the incident. ‘The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is aware of multiple complaints about a sexually explicit performance marketed to children held in Fort Lauderdale on December 26th. The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event. DPBR will, like in other cases, take action,’ the statement read. ‘Exposing children to sexually explicit activity is a crime in Florida, and such action violates the Department’s licensing standards for operating a business and holding a liquor license.’ The statement said any evidence gathered would be shared with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for potential criminal liability.” [Fox News, 12/27/22]
Florida Department Of Business And Professional Regulation Filed A Complaint Against Orlando’s Philharmonic Plaza Foundation For Hosting Holiday-Themed Drag Event Which Children Were Allowed To Attend. According to Axios, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) administration is seeking to revoke the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation's liquor license after hosting a holiday-themed drag event, which children were allowed to attend. Driving the news: The state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed the complaint on Friday, alleging the foundation broke Florida statutes ‘for a person to commit lewd or lascivious exhibition 'in the presence of a victim who is less than 16 years of age.’” [Axios, 2/5/23]
Axios: “A Drag Queen Christmas” Was Held at The Plaza Live, A Venue Which Was Supported By The Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation. According to Axios, “The event, called ‘A Drag Queen Christmas,’ was held on Dec. 28, 2022, per the complaint, which was obtained by the Florida-based news outlet The Floridian. […] The venue, called The Plaza Live, is supported by the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation.” [Axios, 2/5/23]
Complaint Alleged The Foundation Broke Florida Statutes “For A Person To Commit Lewd Or Lascivious Exhibition In The Presence Of A Victim Who Is Less Than 16 Years Of Age.” According to Axios, “Driving the news: The state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed the complaint on Friday, alleging the foundation broke Florida statutes ‘for a person to commit lewd or lascivious exhibition 'in the presence of a victim who is less than 16 years of age.’” [Axios, 2/5/23]
DeSantis Did Not Mention The Phrase “LGBTQ” From Pulse Nightclub Proclamation. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “On the third anniversary of the shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, which left 49 people dead, Gov. Ron DeSantis did not mention the LGBTQ community in his initial proclamation commemorating the day. ‘The state of Florida has come together to stand boldly with Orlando and the Central Florida community against terrorism,’ the proclamation released Tuesday evening read, in part.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/19]
The Sentence Was In A Portion Of The Proclamation Where Then-Governor Scott Used The Phrase “LGBTQ.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “That sentence was in the portion of the document where last year, then-Gov. Rick Scott had stated: “The state of Florida continues to ... recognize the lasting impact (the shooting) has on our state and communities, including Florida’s LGBTQ community.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/19]
Rep. Anna Eskamani Attacked DeSantis For Omitting The Word On Social Media, Called The Omission “Shameful.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “After DeSantis’ proclamation was issued Tuesday evening, state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, took to social media to call the omission ‘shameful.’ The Pulse nightclub is in her district and a photo of Eskamani rests on the makeshift memorial at the nightclub, near bullet holes in the building. ‘Imagine if the Mayor of Pittsburgh didn’t talk about the Jewish community in a proclamation about the synagogue shooting,’ she tweeted Tuesday night, along with a side-by-side comparison of DeSantis’ proclamation versus Scott’s. ‘That would NEVER happen. But I guess denying the existence of LGBTQ people is OK in Florida.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/19]
DeSantis’ Staff Later Issued A “Corrected” Version Of The Proclamation. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “But after a Wednesday morning tweet that specifically mentioned the affected communities, around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, DeSantis’ office also issued a ‘corrected’ version of the proclamation. ‘The state of Florida will not tolerate hatred towards the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities,’ the added portion read.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/19]
DeSantis Spokesperson Helen Aguirre Ferre Claimed Staff Made An Error In The Previous Proclamation Version. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Helen Aguirre Ferré, a spokeswoman for DeSantis, said ‘staff made an error in the previous version’ and it had been updated at the governor’s direction.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/19]
Public Records Revealed DeSantis’ Office Had Two Versions Of The Pulse Nightclub Proclamation, One Including “LBGTQ” And One Without. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The Florida governor’s office created two versions of a June proclamation marking the three-year remembrance of the Pulse night club shooting, according to documents obtained this week by the Tampa Bay Times. One proclamation acknowledged the tragedy’s LGBTQ and Hispanic victims. The other did not. Gov. Ron DeSantis ultimately signed the one that did not. DeSantis later said that was a mistake and he issued a corrected proclamation recognizing the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities. His office blamed staff error. But the previously unreported documents indicate that someone inside the governor’s office had created two drastically different options for DeSantis to send out.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/12/19]
Ferre Blamed Confusion Over Proclamation Drafting Processes, Acknowledged The Governor’s Office Was Unaware A Second Draft Of The Proclamation Existed. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “DeSantis spokeswoman Helen Aguirre Ferré blamed confusion, saying ‘the process was circumvented by a staff member’ who shouldn't have been involved. A month before the proclamation was issued, emails showed uncertainty between the governor's advance team and his legal staff over who would oversee the remembrance. ‘Normally, the communications department works with citizen services to prepare proclamations, correspondence and statements on behalf of the governor,’ Ferré said, referring to two separate arms in the governor's office that issue public statements. ‘This did not occur in the case of the Pulse proclamation.’ After the story published Friday morning, Ferré added that the governor's office was unaware a second draft proclamation existed. ‘Regrettably, the only proclamation that was presented for 2019 did not include the important references to the LGBTQ and Hispanic victims of this tragic attack,’ she said.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/12/19]
State Transportation Department Denied Sarasota City Request To Light Up Ringling Causeway Bridge Rainbow For Pride Month. According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “Sarasota’s John Ringling Causeway Bridge will not be glowing with rainbow lights to celebrate Pride Month, as city officials had hoped. The Florida Department of Transportation rejected a request from Sarasota to light the bridge in conjunction with the month-long Pride celebration, a request that the state has approved for other lighting displays. Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody said the idea to light the iconic bridge with Pride colors for June was part of a continued mission to create a more inclusive city, joining a downtown car parade, restaurant tastings and street mural art. Now, Brody and local LGBTQ leaders are wondering the reasoning behind the state’s denial. ‘It's frustrating,’ Brody said. ‘I think the state is being a little rigid... I didn't think this request would be anything controversial. It’s really surprising to get push back from the state.’” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 6/4/21]
Department Policy Gives The Department The Right To Refuse Any Request It Deemed Offensive Or Not IN The Public’s Best Interest. According to the FDOT’s bridge lighting policy, the department reserves the right to refuse requests it deems offensive or not in the public’s best interest. The FDOT policy also states that special requests for lighting colors should be limited to federal or state holidays or celebrations — and ‘events of broad community interest and significance approved by local governments.’ Brody and LGBTQ allies argue the Pride requests meet those exact criteria.” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 6/4/21]
FDOT Officials Said The State Revised Bridge Policies After A Reported Overwhelming Number Of Color Change Request, Now Only Offers Eight Fixed Themes. According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “FDOT officials said the state revised its bridge policy following overwhelming calls for color changes and now offers just eight fixed themes developed for use depending on the time of year. Those include elegant, gateway, purple majestic, patriotic, sunset, verdant green, waves and New Years’. ‘What's involved in changing the lighting on just the Ringling Bridge, it's a major effort,’ FDOT spokesman Brian Rick said. ‘It doesn't happen quickly. It (lighting request denial) has a lot to do with how that bridge is designed. It's very different. It has its own unique configuration.’” [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 6/4/21]
Florida Department Of Education Removed An Anti-Bullying Webpage From Its Website, Said The Webpage Contained Federal Links That Were “Previously Helpful Guidance And Information, But Now Are Being Used As Platforms For Advocacy.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Advocacy groups are criticizing the Florida Department of Education for removing an anti-bullying webpage from its site, saying the decision will harm LGBTQ students. A spokesman for the state education department on Wednesday said it removed the portal because it contained links to federal sites that ‘previously provided helpful guidance and information, but now are being used as platforms for advocacy.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 12/8/21]
The Southern Poverty Law Center Said It Was “Shocked” By The Department’s Decision, Said The Webpage Resources “Were A Lifeline For Students Who Identify As LGBTQ+.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The Southern Poverty Law Center said it was ‘shocked’ by the decision. ‘These resources were a lifeline for students who identify as LGBTQ+, providing hope that Florida schools can remain a safe space where they would be treated fairly and can learn without fear,’ said Scott McCoy, interim deputy legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center” [Tampa Bay Times, 12/8/21]
Nadine Smith Of Equality Florida Called The Decision Politically Motivated. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The Southern Poverty Law Center said it was ‘shocked’ by the decision. ‘These resources were a lifeline for students who identify as LGBTQ+, providing hope that Florida schools can remain a safe space where they would be treated fairly and can learn without fear,’ said Scott McCoy, interim deputy legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Nadine Smith, executive director for Equality Florida, released a statement calling the decision politically motivated.” [Tampa Bay Times, 12/8/21]
2021: DeSantis Cut $900,000 From LGBTQ Projects From The State Budget. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Among the cuts were three spending projects for LGBTQ Floridians totaling $900,000, including $150,000 in mental health services for survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. Democratic lawmakers noted that the vetoes came a day after DeSantis signed into law a bill preventing transgender females from participating in women's and girls' scholastic sports. Tuesday, coincidentally, was the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month.” [Miami Herald, 6/2/21]
DeSantis Cut $150,000 In Mental Health Services For Survivors Of The 2016 Pulse Nightclub Shooting. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Among the cuts were three spending projects for LGBTQ Floridians totaling $900,000, including $150,000 in mental health services for survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. Democratic lawmakers noted that the vetoes came a day after DeSantis signed into law a bill preventing transgender females from participating in women's and girls' scholastic sports. Tuesday, coincidentally, was the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month.” [Miami Herald, 6/2/21]
DeSantis Vetoed $750,000 For An Orlando-Based Zebra Coalition To Create Housing For Homeless Gay And Transgender Youth. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Just days from the five-year remembrance of Orlando's Pulse nightclub massacre, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed $150,000 in state funds that would have provided counseling for survivors - despite a budget that has $9.5 billion in reserves. And in what advocates describe as ‘war’ on LGBTQ+ Floridians, the governor also eliminated $750,000 approved by the Florida Legislature for the Orlando-based Zebra Coalition to create housing for homeless gay and transgender youth.” [Orlando Sentinel, 6/3/21]
Pulse Survivor Brandon Wolf Claimed DeSantis Had “Declared War On Florida’s LGBTQ Community” Following His Budget Vetoes. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Just days from the five-year remembrance of Orlando's Pulse nightclub massacre, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed $150,000 in state funds that would have provided counseling for survivors - despite a budget that has $9.5 billion in reserves. And in what advocates describe as ‘war’ on LGBTQ+ Floridians, the governor also eliminated $750,000 approved by the Florida Legislature for the Orlando-based Zebra Coalition to create housing for homeless gay and transgender youth. The move comes one day after DeSantis signed a bill banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's school sports. ‘Let's be clear about what this is: Governor DeSantis has declared war on Florida's LGBTQ community,’ said Brandon Wolf, a Pulse survivor who now works for Equality Florida, the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. ‘Before the 2019 remembrance ceremony, Gov. DeSantis stood on hallowed ground, steps from where I escaped the building in 2016, and promised me that he would always support those of us impacted by the Pulse nightclub shooting. Today, almost two years later to the date, he vetoed mental health services for us. I will never forget.’” [Orlando Sentinel, 6/3/21]
DeSantis’ Vetoes Came Just Before The Fifth Anniversary Of The Pulse Nightclub Shooting. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “DeSantis's vetoes - part of a long list of hometown projects the governor eliminated before approving a new $100 billion state budget - came a day after the Republican governor signed into law a controversial measure that bans transgender females from participating on girls' and women's high-school and college sports teams. The vetoes also came shortly before the fifth anniversary of the June 12, 2016, mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, that left 49 people dead.” [Tampa Bay Times, 6/3/21]
More Than 100 Private Schools Across Florida Accepted Publicly Funded Scholarships While Maintaining Anti-LGBTQ Policies. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Like the Hillsborough County school, more than 100 other private schools in Florida that accept the publicly funded scholarships also maintain polices that exclude or criticize LGBTQ students, an investigation published in 2020 by the Orlando Sentinel found.” [Orlando Sentinel, 8/25/22]
A Private School That Banned Trans And Gay Students Accepted $1.6 Million In State Scholarships. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “A Florida private school that made national headlines last week for telling parents that gay or transgender students ‘will be asked to leave the school immediately’ accepted more than $1.6 million in state scholarships last school year. Grace Christian School near Tampa, with about 470 students enrolled in grades in kindergarten through 12th grade, received state scholarships, often called vouchers, to cover tuition for more than 250 of those youngsters during the 2021-22 school year, according to data from the Florida Department of Education and Step Up For Students, the agency that administers most of Florida’s scholarship programs.” [Orlando Sentinel, 8/25/22]