Speakers claim ‘trans genocide’ over sex reassignment bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Some members of the public had strong words for lawmakers in opposition of a bill that will ban minors from receiving sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures during a committee meeting.

A common theme reiterated by public speakers was that they feel lawmakers are committing “trans genocide” and that “many people will die” if the legislation passes.

“Hi I was once a trans youth, and now i’m a happy 22-year-old trans adult student at New College in Florida,” one speaker said, raising what appeared to be a needle.

“This is my healthcare, don’t tread on it,” the speaker said.

The bill will also prohibit state funds from being used for sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures for adults.

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, introduced the bill which passed through the Senate Committee on Health Policy Monday. He said the legislation will protect children in Florida.

“We want to let kids be kids in Florida,” Yarborough said. “The overall goal of the bill is to protect the children of our state.”

One speaker said Gov. Ron DeSantis wants trans people “dead” and that Yarborough has “militarized the Florida GOP into the ‘genital gestapo.'”

“You have put targets on the backs of Florida’s queer community and state legislators are putting guns into the hands of people who want us dead. From every angle and opportunity, you are committing genocide,” the speaker said.

Another speaker said what lawmakers are doing is an “act of war.”

“You or trying to kill my people, and it will not go lightly. The way it is as it is now, my people will die. And that blood – if you support this bill – will be on your hands,” another speaker said.

The bill prohibits sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for patients younger than 18 years of age, except that prescription treatments may continue for such patients whose treatment was commenced before, and is still active on the bill’s effective date.

The bill sponsor said the bill would give courts in the state jurisdiction to enter, modify, or stay a child custody determination if necessary to protect the child from being subjected to sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures.

“This bill gives the court discretion on whether and how to act to protect a child when a parent is subjecting a child to sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures that this bill makes illegal in Florida,” Yarborough clarified in a statement released Monday.

“Again, both parents have a right to be involved in the upbringing of a child, and one parent should not be able to unilaterally attempt to change the sex of their child,” Yarborough clarified in a statement released Monday.”

“We have other components in this bill that relate to adults and relates and relate to the expenditure of state funds, but we want to let kids be kids in Florida. The overall goal of the bill is to protect the children of our state,” Yarborough said.

During debate, Sen. Tracie Davis amplified points repeated in public testimony. 

“We’ve heard that this bill restricts access to gender affirming care. We’ve heard that it creates a potential for depression. Some have suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts. The target is on the back of the queer community […] The side effect to not having this care is suicide. Those are the words that speaker – after speaker – after speaker said, and all i could hear was, love me as I am,” Davis said. 

“Trans kids are rare, but they do exist. This bill will be a massive step backwards because simply all this bill does is put more kids in harm’s way. I personally feel like this bill is unconstitutional,” Davis continued.

Sen. Rosalin Osgood, D-Tamarac, said she has been going back and forth with this bill. She said she is tired of partisan fighting and doesn’t believe any of her colleagues are trying to cause harm.

“Just because you have a different perspective, it doesn’t mean you’re trying to hurt someone or retaliate against someone. But, for my own personal belief I do just think that is too far overreaching, and that’s why I’m not supporting the bill,” Osgood said.

The bill now moves to the Senate Fiscal Policy committee.