state neWs

more than 100 FlorIda elected oFFIcIals urge desantIs: ‘let kIds Play’

Ryan Williams-Jent

More than 100 current and former elected officials from throughout the state showed their support for transgender youth May 12, signing onto a letter directing Gov. Ron DeSantis to oppose legislation targeting the vulnerable population.

The letter urges the governor to “Let Kids Play,” a response to legislation discriminating against transgender youth that passed April 28. The governor shared his support for the measure April 30.

Equality Florida notes it is the state’s first anti-LGBTQ law in more than 20 years. The organization released the letter to illustrate the legislation’s harmful effects on all Floridians.

“We, the below signed elected public servants of the State of Florida, denounce any efforts to discriminate against our state’s transgender youth,” it begins. “We stand united to oppose all attempts to enshrine anti-LGBTQ+ legislation into law and reject efforts to exclude transgender people from public life, including participation in sports.”

It goes on to detail how the legislation will threaten not only educational institutions but Florida’s economy as a whole, which is currently working “to rebuild the industries most harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The recent action from leaders in the Florida Capitol that removes transgender youth from teams and categorically bans transgender students from future participation in sports is discriminatory and creates enormous risk for schools and universities tasked with implementing a poorly constructed policy that threatens expensive lawsuits if transgender young girls are allowed to play,” the letter states. “Florida is a state that should be open for all. A state where every visitor, business, resident, and player can thrive.”

The letter goes on to remind the Florida governor that trans youth are one of the most vulnerable groups in the state, “most likely to experience violence or to be marginalized in their communities,” and that, as leaders, Florida’s elected officials should work “to build the understanding of our communities about their unique needs.”

“Transgender youth deserve our love and support, not cruel attacks because of who they are,” the lawmakers urge. “We celebrate our diversity in Florida as our strength and believe that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should have the freedom to be who they are. All Floridians, including transgender Floridians, deserve the opportunities, education, and freedoms that come from the ability to play.”

The letter concludes, “We call on the Governor and all elected leaders to reverse this dangerous path and allow existing guidelines, not fear and ignorance to prevail.”

Signatories include current and former lawmakers from all levels of government, 109 in total as of its initial publication. They include the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture Nicole “Nikki” Fried, the sole Democrat in the Florida Cabinet.

Five members of the U.S. Congress also signed, all members of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Caucus. Among them were Central Florida’s Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto as well as Tampa Bay’s Rep. Charlie Crist, the latter two of which serve as vice chairs for the group.

Notably, Crist announced May 4 that he is running for governor. After the anti-LGBTQ legislation passed he shared that in contrast to DeSantis, “I have a different message to every trans kid in Florida: you are welcome here and you are loved.”

Additional signers include openly LGBTQ state lawmakers Sen. Shevrin Jones and Reps. Carlos Guillermo-Smith and Michele Rayner – as well as proven allies like Rep. Anna Eskamani, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.

Openly LGBTQ Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also signed, as did St. Petersburg City Councilmember Darden Rice. Mirroring Castor in her neighboring Tampa Bay city, Rice could become St. Petersburg’s first openly LGBTQ mayor next year.

You can read the full letter and view a list of elected signatories at WatermarkOnline.com.