Amid a wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping through the United States, Florida has become the latest state to spark controversy over proposed laws aimed at limiting trans rights. In a defiant protest against a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors, parents and children gathered at the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee. A TikTok video shared on Twitter showed parents being separated from their children behind a door to the House of Representatives gallery, leading to accusations of kidnapping by Florida lawmakers.
The proposed bill, SB 254, has been met with criticism for its ban on life-saving trans healthcare and for granting Florida courts the authority to remove trans children from supportive homes. While the latest version of the bill appears to no longer contain such measures, fears remain among parents of trans children that the state may seek to remove their kids from their family homes.
During the Tuesday session, protesters – adults and children – threw underwear at lawmakers from the gallery, with messages such as “not your business” and “leave my genitals alone” written on them. Those who threw the underwear, including minors, were detained, while one person was arrested for disturbing the peace.
The incident has raised concerns among parents of trans children, who fear that their kids may be removed from their care due to their gender identity. Human rights group Equality Florida has issued a warning to LGBTQ+ travelers planning to visit the state, citing the passage of several anti-queer bills and the risks they pose to the health, safety, and freedom of LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite the controversy surrounding the proposed bill, its sponsor, Republican Randy Fine, has continued to defend it, stating that it would make it illegal to do certain medical treatments on children that have the result of amputating perfectly good body parts.
The battle over trans rights in Florida is just one example of a larger national debate over the rights of transgender individuals, which continues to divide lawmakers and communities across the country.
