Republicans’ demonization of transgender people reached new heights Monday when Florida Rep. Webster Barnaby (R) likened the group to “mutants” during a speech Monday at the state capitol.
The congressman — who represents the city of Deltona, 30 minutes from Daytona Beach — made the comment about Florida House Bill 1521which criminalizes the use of public restrooms for transgender people.
According to the Tallahassee DemocratBarnaby described himself as a “proud conservative Christian Republican” before comparing transgender citizens to characters in Marvel’s “X-Men” comic book saga.
Taking the microphone after some transsexuals in Florida criticized the bill, the lawmaker told his colleagues: “Today we live among people on planet Earth who are happy to look like mutants from another planet.”
He went on to call transgender people “demons and goblins who come and parade before us and claim to be part of this world.”
The bill was later approved by the Florida Commerce Committee and now heads to the full House for a vote. A Senate version of the bill must be approved by the Fiscal Policy Committee before a House vote.
After Barnaby’s comments, Rep. Kristen Arrington (D) in Kissimmee, Fla., stepped in to praise transgender activists in the audience for their “courage.”
Wilfredo Lee via Associated Press
“Also, to say that I see you, I hear you, I understand you, and I love you,” Arrington said. “I’m definitely still a little disappointed by the last few comments here and just want to let you know that there are many here who understand and support you.”
HB1521 is one of 10 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation being considered in the Sunshine State. Florida has voted to pass a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth and public drag shows.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, banning discussions of gender and sexuality for Florida students in kindergarten through third grade.
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