Preferred Pronouns In FL Workplaces Target Of New GOP Bill

FLORIDA — A new bill filed by State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Belleview) targets the use of preferred pronouns in Florida workplaces.

It’s the latest in a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has passed in Florida. Laws passed in the past two years include the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, which limits how gender and sexuality are discussed in public school classrooms, as well as laws targeting drag performers
and transgender people.

Chamberlain’s bill would restrict any contractor or organization, such as nonprofits, receiving state funding from considering an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

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It would also prohibit the firing or discipline of workers who refuse to use the preferred pronouns of another person “if such personal title or pronouns do not correspond to that person’s sex,” the bill reads.

It also would also forbid companies from asking employees their preferred pronouns.

“It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to take adverse personnel action against an employee or a contractor because of … (their) deeply held religious or biology-based beliefs, including a belief in traditional or Biblical views of sexuality and marriage, or … (their) disagreement with gender ideology,” according to the proposed bill.

Employees or contractors could pursue violations through complaints to the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

The bill would also prevent non-profit organizations or employers that receive state money from requiring workers to take part in “training, instruction or other activity on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,” the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, condemned the bill as unconstitutional.

“Florida Republicans just filed legislation that would essentially ban gender pronouns in PRIVATE businesses and prohibit training about pronouns in nonprofits too,” Eskamani wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Would basically ban @equalityfl from existing.”

In May, in a move that targeted Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a series of bills that he dubbed the "Let Kids Be Kids" bill package into law on Wednesday, according to his office. He signed the new laws at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa.

The laws ban children from attending drag shows and using their preferred pronouns at school, prevent trans kids from accessing gender-affirming medical care, and expand the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.

“A bill that threatens drag artists and Pride festivals, a bill that overrules a parent’s right to seek lifesaving care for their transgender child, a bill that drastically expands last year's cruel ‘Don’t Say LGBTQ’ law that banned books and made classrooms more hostile for LGBTQ youth, and a bill that criminalizes transgender people for using the restroom that aligns with how they live their lives every day,” Equality Florida wrote in a Facebook post. “This is an attack on our children, our families, and our fundamental human rights and freedoms. We know there is still more headed to his desk for signature — but we will never stop fighting back.”