Florida Senator Claims 'LGBT is Not a Permanent Thing'
A Florida state senator GOP-splained what LGBT is during the debate over the "Don't Say Gay" bill before it passed on Tuesday (She left the Q out of the acronym). According to website AlterNet.com, Sen. Ileana Garcia (R) expressed her support for a so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill on Tuesday by arguing that "LGBT is not a permanent thing," then misgendered a trans "friend" repeatedly to make her point.
During her 15-minute speech on the Senate floor, Garcia argued in favor of the bill that would prevent teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with younger students. She also said she would never exploit her LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues before proceeding to do just that, even, as previously stated, misgendering a trans friend, whom she used as a justification for her queer-phobic words.
"A friend of mine went through the whole transition as an older man, 58-years-old, became a woman and guess what? He still likes women!" Garcia said.
In her speech, a portion of which can be seen in the YouTube clip above, she says that she would not "pander" to her LGBTQ+ friends after naming one, Carla. "When I introduce my friends, I don't say 'this is my best gay friend;' 'this is my best friend.' Or 'this is my lesbian aunt;' No, 'this is my aunt.' You know, people are people because of their qualities not because of their identity and their sexuality" (Still not an argument for queer erasure, by the way).
Florida's first openly LGBTQ+ Latino legislator Rep. Carlos G. Smith retweeted a graphic of Garcia along with her quote: "Gay is not a permanent thing," and wrote:
"Senator Ileana Garcia is not a permanent thing. #SayGay"
Others called for her resignation.
Attorney Aaron Parnas wrote: "Watch as GOP Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia says 'Gay is not a permanent thing, LGBT is not a permanent thing.' Make sure to share this video and call on Senator Garcia to resign."
Activist and digital strategist Jack Cocchiarella tweeted: "Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia just said, 'Gay is not a permanent thing. LGBTQ is not a permanent thing.' Never surprised. Always disgusted."