Florida Rep Files Bill That Could Target LGBTQ+ Content As Felony "Grooming"

The bills sponsor has stated that he would introduce a bill to stop drag events from "evil grooming" by making it a felony.

A new bill, HB1135, has been introduced in Florida that could target LGBTQ+ content and communications as "grooming," potentially leading to prison sentences of up to 15 years. Although the bill does not explicitly label LGBTQ+ content as "grooming," its sponsor has previously asserted that drag is "evil grooming" and should be punished with felony prison sentences - this bill appears to be his attempt to accomplish that. Authored on behalf of the anti-LGBTQ+ Christian Family Coalition, the bill emerged following a meeting where the need for "anti-grooming" legislation and the prevention of the "imposition of LGBTQ+ ideology" were discussed. Its wording is vague enough that any content deemed "sexual" by a prosecutor and seen by someone under 16 could be categorized as "grooming."

The bill is only a few lines long. It specifies that anyone "observed by" an individual under 16 years old engaging in "sexually themed communication" could face charges of "encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity" or "grooming." Notably, the provision on line 19 states that the offense does not apply if there is "permission from the parent." This clause gives away the true intent of the bill: it suggests that the bill's focus is not on actions universally deemed inappropriate, even with "parental consent" (like an adult sending explicit texted pictures), but rather on drag shows and LGBTQ+ content.

See the bill here:

HB1135

One does not need to hypothesize what the intent is of the bill, however. The bill’s sponsors and organizations pushing it have made it clear that the intent is to target LGBTQ+ content and drag shows. Representative Taylor Yarkosky, a prime sponsor of the bill, posted in December of 2022 that drag shows that allow children are a form of “evil grooming” and that those types of events should yield felony violations. See this tweet from Representative Yarkosky:

Representative Yarkosky Tweet calling drag “grooming” and calling for a felony ban.

The bill appears to have been done in consultation with the Christian Family Coalition of Florida, an organization that actively campaigns with slogans such as “just say NO to LGBT grooming!” Both Rep. Yarkosky and Rep Michael Bankson met with the organization in late October to discuss “upcoming legislation,” including “tough anti-grooming legislation.” That bill has now been introduced, and the target appears to be LGBTQ+ content.

The Christian Family Coalition has been involved in promoting other anti-LGBTQ+ bills this legislative cycle. For example, HB599, advocated in private meetings by the organization, was sponsored by Representative Ryan Chamberlin. That bill aims to extend "Don't Say Gay or Trans" laws to workplaces, including all nonprofits in the state. Since LGBTQ+ nonprofits cannot adhere to laws that prohibit discussions or instructions on gender identity or sexuality, that bill would effectively function as an implicit ban on LGBTQ+ nonprofits in Florida.

In recent years, the term "grooming" has been used by anti-LGBTQ+ activists as a slur against LGBTQ+ individuals. Allegations range from "encouraging minors to be LGBTQ+" to direct accusations of pedophilia. The stereotype of LGBTQ+ people as "groomers" dates back over a century. In the 1990s and early 2000s, anti-LGBTQ+ campaigners claimed that Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in schools were used to “recruit" children into sexual behavior. In 1978, California Senator Briggs proposed legislation to ban LGBTQ+ teachers from teaching in schools, fueled by concerns that gay teachers might influence students towards homosexuality. In the early 1900s, the Nazi publication Der Sturmer published articles about Magnus Hirschfeld, the founder of the first LGBTQ+ research institute, accusing him of "sexualizing children." His institute was one of the first targets of the Nazis during their ascent to power. There is no evidence that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed, or that LGBTQ+ people are “groomed” into being LGBTQ+.

Proponents of this bill will likely argue that LGBTQ+ identities are not explicitly mentioned in the text. However, the bill's ambiguous language, combined with the legislative intent, clearly indicate how it is likely to be enforced. The bill's sponsor has openly labeled drag as "grooming" and advocated for a felony-level ban, suggesting that this bill is a means to implement such restrictions. Furthermore, the bill's exemption for content or communications with "parental permission" implies that its focus is not on universally inappropriate or wrongful content. Instead, its primary targets are likely to be resources like the book "Gender Queer," public drag performances, Planned Parenthood's LGBTQ+ health materials, LGBTQ+ content in schools, TikTok videos, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs, and more.

This bill is the ninth bill targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in Florida during the 2023-2024 session. More bills are anticipated in the upcoming week as Florida prepares to enter floor sessions.