Florida Republican apologizes after calling transgender people ‘mutants'
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida Republican apologized Monday after he called transgender people “demons” and “mutants” during a hearing on a bill that would make it a misdemeanor offense for someone to use a bathroom that doesn’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
The comments by state Rep. Webster Barnaby (R-Deltona) were prompted by testimony from LGBTQ advocates and transgender people opposing the measure, one of several “bathroom bills” that are gaining traction in conservative-leaning states. Critics say the bill will be a “tool of harassment” while Republican lawmakers contend their intent is to protect children.
“We have people that live among us today on planet earth that...
