Ron DeSantis signs ‘largest slate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in Florida history’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping range of anti-LGBTQ+ laws targeting drag shows, which bathrooms people use, gender-affirming care and preferred pronouns.
The bills were signed at the evangelical Cambridge Christian School in Tampa on 17 May, the same day as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
The legislation will see bathrooms and changing rooms separated “based on biological sex”, meaning people will not be able to use the facilities that align with their gender identity.
Trans children will not be able to access gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy, with new restrictions placed on adults seeking trans medical care who will now have to obtain written consent on a form adopted by two oversight boards with members appointed by DeSantis. READ MORE: ‘DeSantis has to go’: Drag Race stars join protest against Florida’s proposed drag restrictions In addition to this, a law titled ‘Protecting Children’s Innocence’ gives the state power to revoke licences from a business if they allow children into what is broadly referred to as “adult live performances” – such as drag shows.
