Florida Senate advances measure banning transgender people from using restrooms that are not their biological gender

If the bill is approved, penalties for non-compliance would be up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Arkansas prohíbe el acceso a las personas trans a baños públicos que no pertenezcan a su sexo biológico — Ted Eytan / Flickr

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31 de marzo, 2023

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The Florida Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform and Economic Development approved Bill 1674, which means that one could be incarcerated for not using the restroom associated with their biological sex. The rule makes it a misdemeanor for an adult to refuse to leave a restroom "designated for the opposite sex" when "asked to do so by another person present [in the restroom]."

The penalty would be up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Senate Bill 1674 Florida by Verónica Silveri on Scribd

Known as the "Law on Security in Private Spaces" defines a female as a "person belonging, at birth, to the biological sex which has the specific reproductive role of producing eggs" and a male as "a person belonging, at birth, to the biological sex which has the specific reproductive role of producing sperm."

Children are not allowed to attend drag shows

The committee also approved a second measure that would revoke the licenses of businesses that allow minors to attend drag shows. That rule is similar to one passed in Tennessee earlier this month. An "adult performance" is defined in the law as:

Any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, specific sexual activities as those terms are defined in s. 847.001, lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Clay Yarborough, said the measure is designed to protect children:

Parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit, and government intervention should be a last resort. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to protect children from viewing lewd conduct that is patently offensive to prevailing standards in our communities.

Both bills passed out of committee and now head to the full Senate.