A bill to ban transgender Floridians from using the same bathroom as the sex they identify with made its way through the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Tuesday, much to the dismay of transgender activists across the state.
HB 583, sponsored by Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, passed by a 7-5 vote.
Artiles legislation would create criminal penalties for those who enter a public restroom of the gender they identify with -- meaning if a transgender man who identifies as a woman entered the womens restroom, he could be penalized with jail time and a fine.
Artiles filed the bill as part of concerns over public safety: the Miami Republican said men will enter the womens restroom with the intent of committing a crime against women.
I believe that criminals -- males -- will use this law as the cover to go into the womens locker room, Artiles said on the bill. All they have to say is, I feel like a woman today.
Artiles bill would also create penalties for businesses, schools and governments that dont have adequate surveillance for same-sex bathroom facilities.
Transgender individuals and transgender rights activists provided spirited testimony at Tuesdays meeting, calling the legislation discriminatory, with some saying the bill infringed on their civil rights. Others said the problem Artiles was trying to prevent was imaginary.
"This bill presents a problem that does not exist, said Nadine Smith, co-founder of LGBT political advocacy group Equality Florida. This bill robs people of dignity and respect."
Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee, called the bill a total waste of time.
Other legislators agreed.
"I don't see how this will stop the criminally minded from being criminally minded, said Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, who still voted for the legislation despite reservations over the bills purpose.
Supporters of the bill said they were worried for their safety. Some recalled firsthand experiences with transgenders in public restrooms, saying they were unpleasant and uncomfortable.
Social media exploded after the committee approved the bill, with many transgender activists and opponents of the bill taking to Twitter to voice their surprise and frustration.
Is friendly Florida now a state of hate? Hijacked by bigots like#FrankArtiles & mean spirited#HB583 how sad, criminals don't obey laws, wrote Twitter user WunderChristine.
Bigotry and hate win again, wrote Monica DePaul.
An American Civil Liberties Union petition against the bill has gathered nearly 60,000 signatures as of Tuesdays hearing.
HB 583 will be heard in front of a third and final committee before it makes its way to the House floor.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
