DeSantis signed four bills into law this week that touch several aspects of daily life for some LGBTQ+ community members, from limiting the use of preferred pronouns in public schools to criminalizing the use of bathrooms that don't align with a person's sex at birth.
The new legislation bans certain clinical services offered to transgender teens, but also requires adult patients seeking such treatment to provide "written, informed consent" that these procedures are "dangerous."
It also expands the Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by critics, through eighth grade.
DeSantis has made anti-LGBTQ legislation a large part of his agenda as he is expected to announce his presidential candidacy in the coming days. He has leaned heavily into cultural divides on race, sexual orientation, and gender as he moves to win support from conservative voters who decide Republican primary elections.
Last month, a bakery manager and employee in Publix #662 in Orlando refused a customer’s request to write the word ‘Trans’ on a cake, saying that they were not allowed to take political stands on issues. However, it is clear that not writing the word ‘Trans’ is also a political stand.
After much bad community response, Publix responded to the customers request for clarification of Publix’ bakery policies. In an email sent by its public affairs office, Publix offered “sincere apologies” and stated “We are often asked to create specialty cakes with free-hand designs. Our policy indicates that our associates may write statements that are not copyrighted or trademarked, support a charitable cause, are factual and considered to have a positive connotation. As we indicated in our Facebook conversation, our associates should have fulfilled your request.”
The customer requested that “Trans People Deserve Joy” be written on the cake.
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