On the first day of “Pride Month” Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis signed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” which ensures biological females in Florida sports don’t have to compete with biologically born males who are transgender.
DeSantis held a press conference held at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, where he signed the bill.
DeSantis said, “We’re going to go based off biology, not based off ideology when we’re doing sports. The bill defines a student’s biological sex based on the student’s official birth certificate at the time of birth.”
The bill defines a student’s biological sex based on the student’s official birth certificate at the time of birth, and as part of the bill we’re signing today, we’re not only making sure that women have opportunities for scholarships and competition at the highest level, we’re also putting in statute ways to actually vindicate the rights of any women athletes who may be discriminated against,” he continued.
“And as part of the bill we’re signing today, we’re not only making sure women have opportunities for scholarships and competition at the highest level, we’re also putting in statute ways to actually vindicate the rights of any women athletes who may be discriminated against.”
During his press conference, DeSantis ensured the Florida government wouldn’t back down to political activist groups.
“In Florida, we’re going to do what’s right. We’ll stand up to corporations. They’re not going to dictate the policies in this state. We will stand up to groups like the NCAA that think they should be able to dictate the policies in different states. Not here, not ever,” he said.
During his speech, DeSantis also spoke on the “civil remedies” afforded to those affected with this bill.
“So moving forward, any student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity as a result of a violation of this law will have the right to civil remedies,” said DeSantis. “Any school or post-secondary institution that suffers direct or indirect harm as a result of a violation of this bill including by a governmental entity, accrediting organization, or athletic association can also pursue civil remedies. Any student who’s subject to retaliation as a result of reporting a violation of this bill can also pursue civil remedies.”
The Human Rights Campaign (HCR) is already set to take legal action against the transgender ban.
The HCR said in a statement, “This upcoming lawsuit in Florida to be filed by the Human Rights Campaign comes amid a rash of anti-transgender sports ban legislation being taken up and passed in states across the country. Today’s bill signing by Gov. DeSantis took place on the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month and within 12 days of the anniversary of the Pulse shooting in Orlando, Florida.”
“Lawmakers across the country who support these bills have failed to provide examples of any issue in their states to attempt to justify these attacks on transgender youth, laying bare the reality that they are fueled by discriminatory intent and not supported by fact,” the statement continued.