FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2021

JACKSONVILLE, FL – This morning in Jacksonville, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB1028 into law. This broad education bill includes the discriminatory ban on transgender athletes.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the bill signing:

“It’s shameful that Governor DeSantis chose the first day of Pride Month to sign the discriminatory trans sports ban into law. This transphobic legislation aims to fix a problem that doesn’t exist, and instead harms children just wanting to play sports. It’s clear the Governor and his Republican enablers in the Legislature are dismissive of Florida’s large and visible LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month is steeped in acceptance, but it is also a statement among our community that we will fight for our civil rights. We are watching, we are working, and we are putting discriminatory politicians on notice.”

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Region 2 Regional Director Joshua Hicks gave a local reaction to the bill becoming law:

“Jacksonville is a welcoming and inclusive city governed by a human rights ordinance that bans discrimination based on gender identity and expression. It’s shameful and disgusting that Governor DeSantis chose our community to sign discrimination into law on the first day of Pride Month.”

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