LGBTQ+ Democrats Stand Ready to Combat Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Proposed by Republican Lawmakers in Tallahassee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2020
FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS STATEMENT ON THE ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN TALLAHASSEE
DELRAY BEACH FL – Republican legislators in Tallahassee have filed several draconian anti-LGBTQ bills to be considered this session. Press reports indicate that HB 1365 would make it a felony for doctors to change the sex of a minor; HB 305 would repeal local employment anti-discrimination protections due to sexual orientation and gender identity; CS/HB3 would repeal local ordinances protecting LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy” and block local governments from enacting future bans; and HB 537 would allow conversion therapy if it’s practiced in a home.
Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement on the anti-LGBTQ legislation:
“The Florida Legislature never disappoints when it comes to pushing an anti-LGBTQ agenda. Despite the progress the LGBTQ community has made, despite the presence of openly-LGBTQ elected officials and staff in Tallahassee, and despite the basic level of decency required to serve the public, Florida Republicans continue to pursue dangerous and discriminatory policies aiming to harm LGBTQ Floridians. How can these Republican elected officials explain to their constituents why this is their top priority this session? The answer is they can’t, because these bills are disconnected from reality. The members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus stand ready to combat this blatantly discriminatory legislation.”