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Laura Stargel to Ron DeSantis: Veto Florida’s harmful band on trans girls in sports | Commentary

Less than 48 hours from the end of session, previously dead legislation to ban transgender athletes from youth sport resurfaced as an amendment on a charter school bill, blindsiding many lawmakers and advocates, myself included.

As someone who studied sports politics and has grown up in the shadow of Florida’s legislative process, I’m deeply disappointed in the Florida Legislature for hastily passing this legislation and sending it to the governor’s desk.

Laura Stargel, daughter of Florida state Sen. Kelli Stargel - Original Credit: Handout - Original Source: Handout
Laura Stargel, daughter of Florida state Sen. Kelli Stargel - Original Credit: Handout - Original Source: Handout

In 2013, the Florida High School Athletics Association developed a process to review transgender students’ requests to play on teams that match their gender identity.