Florida Governor Takes Stand Against Transgender Kids

Florida Governor Bans Transgender Women From School Sports

By: BOBBY CAINA CALVAN AP

Gov. Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s Republican governor signed a bill Tuesday barring transgender females from playing on public school teams intended for student athletes born as girls, plunging the state into the national culture war over transgender rights.

“In Florida, girls are going to play girls sports and boys are going to play boys sports,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said as he signed the bill into law at a Christian academy in Jacksonville. “We’re going to make sure that that’s the reality.”

The new law, sure to be challenged as unconstitutional, inflames an already contentious discussion unfolding nationally as Republican-controlled states move to limit the rights of LGBTQ people. It also could impose severe financial consequences on Florida.

 

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said:

This is yet another hate-driven attack from the governor and Republican legislators, and it’s insulting that they’ve staged this morning’s photo-op on the first day of Pride Month,” said state Sen. Shevrin Jones after the bill’s signing. “At the end of the day, transgender kids are just kids.

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The Florida law mirrors an Idaho law, the first of its kind when enacted last year, that is now mired in legal challenges. Republican governors in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee recently signed similar measures.

Pride in Pictures 2016

Trans activist Jazz Jennings was the youngest Grand Marshal in NYC Pride history

Jazz Jennings 2016

 

For our second annual Pride in Pictures, LGBTQ Nation asked readers to submit a meaningful photo of themselves at Pride.

We have absolutely loved seeing your joy, your glitter, your fabulous outfits, and of course, your pride. Now, we’re spending the summer sharing some of our favorite photos and stories with all of you.

Kicking us off this week is celebrated transgender activist Jazz Jennings, star of TLC reality show ‘I am Jazz.’ Jennings, now 20, rose to national fame for coming out as trans as a young child and publicly sharing her journey.

"I felt pure, positive energy, and there was so much love in the air."