FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2021

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On a vote of 77-40, the Florida House of Representatives just passed HB 1475, a blanket ban on transgender girls in sports. Earlier today, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Legislative Director Nathan Bruemmer participated in a press conference with Representatives Carlos Guillermo Smith and Michele Rayner-Goolsby and transgender youth speaking out against the bill.

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement after the bill passed:

“The Republican-controlled Florida House continues to embarrass our state, insult our citizens, and attack marginalized Floridians for political gain. Our community thanks the Democrats who fought for the dignity of our transgender students. We will take this fight to the Senate.”

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Legislative Director Nathan Bruemmer gave an educator’s reaction to the bill’s passage:

“As a former coach and teacher, I know how important it is for youth to be part of the team and how sports can build character, confidence, and leadership skills. Transgender youth will lose out on those experiences if this cruel, mean-spirited legislation becomes law. We should let kids play.”

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