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Michael Barrett, associate for education, testified in support of HB 1421 (Fine) before the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. "We deeply sympathize with anyone who experiences gender dysphoria and recognize that it can be intensely difficult," said Barrett. "Therefore, it is important to recognize that so-called gender-affirming protocols lack long-term evidence of their efficacy and result in irreversible physical damage to the patient."

On April 22, HB 241 (Grall) achieved final passage in the Senate (24-15). The bill was passed earlier this month by the House (78-37) and will go to the governor for his signature. This FCCB supported measure ensures that the right of parents to review instructional materials and curriculum is clearly communicated. It also establishes parental consent requirements for medical care provided to a minor child. Having access to information about their rights allows parents to make informed decisions and better direct their child's education and health care. In the Senate, HB 241 was substituted for its companion bill, SB 582 (Rodrigues, R.).

On April 14, HB 1475 (Tuck) passed the full House (77-40). The measure protects the rights of female athletes and promotes equality in women's sports by recognizing key biological differences between men and women and requiring separate sex-specific athletic teams. Laws and policies that affirm gender identities not aligned with biological sex often overlook the potential for serious, and often irreversible, physical harm to gender dysphoric individuals, especially minors, who attempt to "transition." In a letter to Rep. Tuck, the FCCB outlined its support for HB 1475. The Senate companion, SB 2012 (Stargel), includes an exception for "persons who transition from male to female" if they meet certain conditions, such as specified testosterone levels. SB 2012 was temporarily postponed this week by the Senate Rules Committee but is scheduled for a hearing on April 20.

On April 6, HB 1475 (Tuck) passed its final committee, Education & Employment (15-6), and has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for April 13. The measure protects the rights of female athletes and promotes equality in women's sports by recognizing key biological differences between men and women and requiring separate sex-specific athletic teams. Laws and policies that affirm gender identities not aligned with biological sex often overlook the potential for serious, and often irreversible, physical harm to gender dysphoric individuals, especially minors. In a letter to Rep. Tuck, the FCCB outlined its support for HB 1475. The Senate companion, SB 2012 (Stargel), includes an exception for "persons who transition from male to female" if they meet certain conditions, such as specified testosterone levels. SB 2012 has been passed by its first two committees of reference and is now in the Senate Rules Committee.

In a two-part series, FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy discusses gender ideology with Father Tim Cusick, a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine and Academic Dean, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. In sharing his views on this topic, Fr. Cusick said, "There are certain elements of our biological sex which are fixed, that goes down to our DNA, but does that necessarily translate into particular social roles." Father Cusick went on to explain, "That doesn't mean that just because you have certain tendencies, enjoyments, or hobbies that you are a different sex. Gender aspects have now been defining of sex and that is where we get into a lot of confusion." He also talks about some of the impacts on the Church, the family and society." Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

On February 26, the FCCB joined lawmakers and parents at a press conference at the state Capitol to encourage passage of HB 1059 (Grall) and SB 1634 (Stargel). These bills would designate the "Parents' Bill of Rights", bringing together in a single statute the various parental rights that currently exist in law. The bill would highlight the role of parents by clearly outlining the rights parents have in the upbringing, education and care of their children. Several legislators spoke on the importance of these bills including the bill sponsors. Representative Erin Grall addressed the value of parental rights in a child's life and believes this is a fight for all families in Florida. Senator Stargel stressed the responsibility of legislators to protect the rights of parents in Florida.

November is Florida Adoption Month, a time to celebrate adoption finalizations, express thanks to the parents, staff and stakeholders who work throughout the year to find permanent families for children in need, and bring attention to the children who are still searching for their forever family.

The U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The case involves Christian baker Jack Phillips who declined in 2012 to create a custom wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony. State officials sought to compel Phillips to create such cakes under Colorado's public accommodations law. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Phillips under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Both SB 444, sponsored by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville), and its companion, HB 41 by Representative Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa), passed initial committees of reference in the weeks preceding the 2018 legislative session that begins January 9.