TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Deltona Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby caused a stir during a Florida House committee meeting Monday when he described transgender individuals as “mutants” and “demons” during debate over the proposed “Safety in Private Spaces Act."

“The Lord rebuke you, Satan, and all of your demons and all of your imps who come parade before us,” Barnaby said from his desk, directly addressing several transgender individuals in the audience. “That’s right, I called you demons and imps who come and parade before us and pretend that you are part of this world.”

What You Need To Know

  • During a Florida House committee meeting Monday, a Republican representative made several disparaging comments to transgender individuals in the audience
     
  • Deltona Rep. Webster Barnaby called them "mutants," "demons" and "imps" who "pretend that you are part of his world"

  • Democrats and other state leaders quickly condemned Barnaby's rhetoric, and he later apologized for the remarks   

  •  The remarks came during debate over a the controversial “Safety in Private Spaces Act” currently being considered in the Legislature

Barnaby delivered the remarks while debating HB 1521, which would require businesses, among other institutions, to designate a male, female or unisex bathroom on their property. 

The measure would also levy criminal penalties against those who enter a restroom assigned to the opposite sex and refuse to leave when asked to.

Barnaby went on to compare transgender individuals to comic book characters.

“I’m looking at society today and its like I’m watching an X-Men movie … It’s like we have mutants living among us on planet Earth,” he said.

The measure under consideration, known as the “Safety in Private Spaces Act,” is among the more controversial bills of the 2023 Legislative Session — and one of several bills that have been condemned by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The restroom requirements would apply to hospitals and schools, and to businesses like hotels and restaurants. It provides few exceptions, including some for parents and guardians, and for law enforcement and during emergencies

Several Democratic lawmakers and activists decried Barnaby's remarks, as well as local officials in Central Florida.

Kissimmee Democratic Rep. Kristen Arrington spoke immediately after Barnaby. In committee, she said she was "still a little bit thrown off" after the remarks. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, meanwhile, responded to the remarks the morning after. 

“While we have neo-Nazis and other hate groups invading our area and targeting people for their faith, their ethnicity and their sexuality, our own state representative, Webster Barnaby, wants to put another target on their back,” said Chitwood. 

The House Commerce Committee advance the measure along a party-line vote. The bill is now heading for a full vote in the House.