DeFlorida Blueprint: DeSantis challenges medical establishment in shaping GOP health policy

Breccan F. Thies

May 09, 07:00 AM May 09, 07:24 AM

DeFlorida Blueprint is a five-part series examining the legislative and policy record of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). As the Florida legislature wraps up its 2023 session, DeSantis is widely expected to declare he is running for the Republican presidential nomination, putting him on a collision course with former President Donald Trump. The first part of this series examined his record on education. The second part, below, will look at DeSantis's healthcare policy.

In his four years in office, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has set a new conservative playbook for healthcare, from his defiant response to the coronavirus pandemic to his care network to combat opioid addiction.

Beyond the headlines of his war on woke, DeSantis has racked up a policy record that will serve as the foundation for his national political ambitions and expected 2024 White House bid.

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“DeSantis is leading the way in showing Republicans how to advance conservative policy goals and protect Americans from bad private actors across the issue spectrum but especially as it pertains to healthcare policy," American Principles Project President Terry Schilling told the Washington Examiner. "The status quo Republican policy of neutrality has always been a failure against Democrats' aggressive social agenda — they build institutions and change society with their policies and legal changes, and Republicans never even remove or reverse the Democrats' changes."

Coronavirus

On healthcare, DeSantis is probably most lauded by conservatives for his response to the coronavirus pandemic, wherein he sharply criticized mask and vaccination mandates, lockdowns, and school closures that were being pursued in states across the country.

The governor became an early critic of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying last year that "someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac."

In a veiled jab at former President Donald Trump last month, DeSantis criticized "leaders" who "subcontract out their leadership to health bureaucrats like Dr. Fauci."

DeSantis was later than most governors in imposing lockdowns on April 1, 2020, and started loosening restrictions after only 28 days. By Sept. 25, 2020, he lifted the sanctions, declaring in his executive order that Florida had "suffered economic harm."

Paragon Health Institute President Brian Blase told the Washington Examiner, "DeSantis's policies to target protective measures for the most vulnerable, avoid mandates, and keep schools and businesses open led Florida to have one of the best overall COVID responses in the country."

The "biomedical security state"

In January 2023, DeSantis launched the "Prescribe Freedom" initiative, which passed the Florida legislature, aimed at permanently ending mask and vaccine requirements and allowing "protecting medical freedom of speech" of physicians.

The bill allows doctors to "disagree with the preferred narrative of the medical community."

“As a health sciences researcher and physician, I have personally witnessed accomplished scientists receive threats due to their unorthodox positions,” Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said in support of the bill. “However, many of these positions have proven to be correct, as we’ve all seen over the past few years."

Dating to the very beginning of the virus, there was an "attempt to suppress real scientific debate and discussion," Robert Moffit, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Center for Health and Welfare Policy, told the Washington Examiner.

"Science requires open debate and open discussion. You can't have anything less than that," he continued. "If you establish a party line, you're shutting down scientific inquiry," and that "exercise of raw political power ... undermines public safety."

Not all physicians agree with the move and believe DeSantis's national presence and potential run for president will "bring more prominence to this ideology," according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health associate professor Dr. Rupali Limaye.

"This idea of — we are going to reject, essentially, anything that is science-based because that’s part of our identity," Limaye continued. "The government can’t tell us what’s true, what’s not true. We make our own decisions. We make our own truth."

Public Health Integrity Committee

DeSantis is pushing back even further on the coronavirus response, starting the Public Health Integrity Committee, overseen by Ladapo, to assess federal public health recommendations to decide whether Florida will follow them.

The move comes with the state filing a petition for a grand jury to "investigate crimes and wrongdoing committed against Floridians related to the COVID-19 vaccine," as well as an inquiry into "sudden deaths of individuals that received the COVID-19 vaccine."

Treatment for gender dysphoria in children

Under DeSantis, Florida has taken on the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, which push the "gender-affirming care" model of responding to children presenting with gender dysphoria.

In 2022, Ladapo issued guidance stating social transitions — like allowing children to use different names, pronouns, and restrooms — and genital mutilation surgeries "should not be a treatment option for children."

The guidance also says children should not be prescribed drugs such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies.

Citing several studies, including medical determinations from Sweden, France, Finland, and the United Kingdom, the guidance says, "Encouraging mastectomy, ovariectomy, uterine extirpation, penile disablement, tracheal shave, the prescription of hormones which are out of line with the genetic make-up of the child, or puberty blockers, are all clinical practices which run an unacceptably high risk of doing harm."

Florida's legislature recently passed several bills related to the treatment of gender dysphoric children, which DeSantis is expected to sign.

One bill bans the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries on children, allowing courts to remove children from homes that allow such treatment. Doctors who provide treatment will also have their medical licenses suspended and can be subjected to felony charges.

Another bill bans the required use of "preferred pronouns" or alternate names for children in schools, as well as banning the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation until the ninth grade.

Similarly, a bill requires gender-exclusive restrooms and that students must use restrooms that align with their sex.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the medical advocacy group Do No Harm, told the Washington Examiner that Ladapo's guidance "is a well-thought-out and evidence-based approach to this difficult and controversial critical topic."

Abortion and child care

Like many other Republican-led states, Florida restricted abortion after the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Currently, Florida bans abortion at 15 weeks gestation, but in April, DeSantis signed a heartbeat bill that would ban the procedure at around six weeks. That bill is waiting for a state Supreme Court decision to take effect.

Florida has also prioritized things like child care, foster care, and maternal health to make it easier for women to bring their babies to term.

According to the Florida Health Department, the Sunshine State has invested over $308 million in maternal and child care over the past four years, telling the Washington Examiner the state is on track to meet its 2030 benchmark of lowering infant mortality to five deaths per 1,000 live births. Other achievements include 94% of babies receiving all immunizations by 24 months.

DeSantis's "Framework for Freedom" budget includes a permanent sales tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities, $96 million in foster care and child care, and $143 million in aid to pregnant and postpartum women.

Addiction and opioids

To combat opioid addiction and overdose, as well as enhance recovery efforts, Florida launched the Coordinated Opioid Recovery network, a partnership of addiction care centers and infrastructure in 12 Florida counties.

The initiative aims to stop the "revolving door of addiction and overdose" by bolstering recovery from emergency response to rehabilitation.

After responding to an overdose, the system would bypass other hospitals and send patients to a specialty center "similar to a trauma center" and pursue treatment through recovery.

The program focuses on treating other medical and mental health problems alongside addiction, as well as involving social services for job training, housing, and food assistance.

According to the Department of Health, since its August 2022 launch, the program has provided 100,000 services to patients, transported 5,000 overdoses to specialized care, stabilized 2,000 overdoses, and placed 98% of opioid use patients on medicated assisted treatment.

"We are giving Floridians the tools they need to break the substance abuse cycle," DeSantis said. "Substance abuse can affect any family at any time, so from education to law enforcement to treatment, we are going to make sure that Floridians can take advantage of this new addiction recovery model."

Prescription drug prices

DeSantis has made several moves to reduce prescription drug prices and regulate the pharmaceutical industry.

Last week, DeSantis signed a bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, the organizations that acquire medications from drug companies and distribute them to pharmacies.

The measure requires more transparency from PBMs, which bill authors say have been "allowed to operate virtually unchecked," and increases consumers' pharmacy choices. It also requires pharmaceutical companies to disclose when drug prices increase and why that is the case.

In 2020, Florida became the first state to submit a proposal to the Department of Health and Human Services to begin importing prescription drugs from Canada.

The program would allow Florida to import drugs from Canada, which are less beholden to market changes because the Canadian government controls pricing.

HHS stopped the implementation of the program, citing quality and safety standards of foreign countries. Pharmaceutical companies in the United States have successfully lobbied against foreign importation of drugs.

"They have unlawfully withheld and unreasonably delayed this program, and we think this violates federal law," DeSantis said when filing a lawsuit against HHS.

Medicaid

Florida is one of 10 states that has not adopted a Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act that would have increased eligibility for people earning up to 138% of the poverty line.

As a member of Congress, DeSantis voted for one of the more extensive options to repeal the Affordable Care Act, initially voting against a softer undoing.

The pandemic saw Florida's Medicaid recipients increase from 3.8 million in March 2020 to 5.5 million. Because the "continuous coverage" benefit expired March 31, 2023, Florida is determining whether recipients still qualify — a process that can take a year.

DeSantis has pursued several changes to Medicaid, such as an expansion of the program's postpartum eligibility from 60 days to 1 year post-delivery to reduce maternal mortality rates.

The Agency for Health Care Administration also issued a rule prohibiting Medicaid reimbursements to providers for puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and transgender surgical procedures.

“There is a lot of great work being done to advance public health in Florida," Ladapo told the Washington Examiner. "Our accomplishments demonstrate the dedicated and tireless efforts of the Florida Department of Health’s staff and partners throughout the state.”

SEE IT: Country music star John Rich axes Bud Light from bar after transgender partnership

Julia Johnson

April 06, 03:25 PM April 06, 03:25 PM

John Rich asked fans on Wednesday which beer should replace Bud Light at his bar after the beer brand was revealed to be partnering with transgender woman influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Mulvaney revealed last week that the popular TikToker was a brand partner of Bud Light.

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"What beer should my bar in Nashville replace #BudLight with?" Rich asked on Twitter.

Rich is the founder of a bar and restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, called Redneck Riviera.

Fellow country crooner Travis Tritt also announced Wednesday that he was removing Anheuser-Busch products from his tour hospitality rider.

"I will be deleting all Anheuser-Busch products from my tour hospitality rider. I know many other artists who are doing the same," he wrote.

He further claimed that other artists are doing the same but aren't announcing it out of fear of being canceled.

In addition to Mulvaney's partnership with Bud Light, which was confirmed by Anheuser-Busch in a statement, the brand also sent a custom beer can with the influencer's face on it in celebration of Mulvaney's one-year anniversary of "girlhood."

Users reacted to the partnership and commemorative can across social media. Musician Kid Rock even posted a video in response to the news. The artist filmed himself shooting several cases of Bud Light with a gun until beer was leaking onto the ground.

Amid the backlash, a seemingly unbothered Mulvaney further revealed a partnership with Nike. "Home for a moment and leaning into cozy workout wear life with @nikewomen ‘s newest Zenvy leggings and Alate bra! They’re so comfortable and buttery soft, perfect for workouts and everyday wear! #feelyourall #teamnike #nikepartner," the influencer wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

SEE IT: Guy Pearce apologizes for 'insensitive' tweet questioning transgender casting

Julia Johnson

April 02, 06:56 PM April 02, 06:56 PM

Actor Guy Pearce has apologized after recently questioning the standards surrounding the casting of transgender characters in film and television productions.

Pearce initially questioned the logic employed by those who suggest that only transgender-identifying actors should portray transgender characters. After receiving backlash, the Australian actor tweeted out a lengthy apology for the "insensitive" tweet.

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"I posted a tweet yesterday that I shouldn’t have, which to prevent upsetting anyone else I have now deleted. A fuller apology and explanation of the point I was raising is attached," he wrote.

He wrote in the attached statement that, “I see that raising the question of gender identity within the casting process on a platform like Twitter was not a good idea.”

“For that, I apologize, enormously. I acknowledge it has only stirred up and inflamed attitudes and made us all dig our heels in,” he added.

“Our industry is already a cesspool of politics, bums on seats funding, nepotism, and favoritism. It’s clear a great many minority communities are underrepresented onscreen and that so too are actors from those communities. But I don’t believe artists should have to announce their personal identity, sexual preference, political stance, disability, religious beliefs, etc. to attain work," Pearce continued.

However, he didn't cede his point entirely.

"I believe that to suggest 'acting' can only come from our own lived experience annihilates our imagination," he said.

The actors original tweet read: “A question – if the only people allowed to play trans characters r trans folk, then r we also suggesting the only people trans folk can play r trans characters?” he wrote in the since-deleted tweet. “Surely that will limit ur career as an actor? Isn’t the point of an actor to be able play anyone outside ur own world?”

Pearce's career launched after his appearance in the 1994 movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert where he, ironically enough, portrayed a drag queen.

The actor said he has been asked on several occasions whether it was appropriate for him to take the role. He further explained that this sparked his curiosity, prompting the tweet.

Veto puts Kentucky in thick of fight over transgender rights

March 26, 05:12 PM March 26, 05:12 PM

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHD) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill aimed at transgender health care puts the state in the middle of a national fight, but with more immediate consequences as the state’s looming election offers an early test on the state-by-state assault on gender-affirming care for minors.

The veto issued Friday set off competing messages likely to be repeated until the November election — when Bluegrass State voters will decide whether to reward the Democratic governor with a second term or hand over the governor’s office to a Republican. No one seems to know yet how much weight voters will put on the transgender issue with the general election more than seven months away.

The legislation in Kentucky is part of a widespread movement, with Republican state lawmakers in other states approving extensive measures that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people this year, from bills targeting trans athletes and drag performers to measures limiting gender-affirming care.

Beshear framed the Republican-backed bill in Kentucky as an example of government overreach into parental rights. The sweeping bill would ban gender-affirming care for minors — one of many provisions that would affect the lives of young transgender people.

“At the end of the day, this is about my belief — and, I think, the belief of the majority of Kentuckians — that parents should get to make important medical decisions about their children, not big government,” Beshear told reporters soon after his veto.

Kentucky’s GOP-dominated legislature passed the bill by lopsided margins. Lawmakers will reconvene Wednesday for the final two days of this year’s session, when they could vote to override the veto.

Republicans took immediate aim at the governor’s veto, saying he veered too far for most Kentuckians. Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson Sean Southard asked: “Is Andy Beshear the governor of Kentucky or California?” He predicted the governor will pay a political price for his action.

“Once this campaign is over, today may very well be remembered as the day Andy Beshear lost his bid for reelection,” Southard said Friday.

Republicans could try to capitalize on the political divide over transgender rights to motivate socially conservative voters to flock to the polls in November, when state constitutional offices are on the ballot. Several leading GOP contenders for governor were aligned in condemning Beshear’s veto.

“If the Republicans choose to make this a centerpiece of the campaign against Beshear, it’s going to hurt him,” said Scott Jennings, a Kentucky-based Republican political commentator.

Beshear cited his own religious faith as a factor in rejecting the bill, saying: “I believe every single child is a child of God.”

Twelve candidates in all are competing for the Republican nomination for governor in the state’s May primary. Beshear’s bid for a second term is drawing national attention to see if the popular incumbent can win again in the Republican-trending state. Beshear has won praise for his responses to devastating tornadoes and flooding, as well as a series of economic development successes.

The bill’s opponents say they’ve got the public on their side and predict Beshear will benefit. They pointed to statewide polling released last month showing a majority of Kentuckians believe decisions over a transgender teen’s health care should be left with the parent, not determined by the state.

“Folks who have never been involved with politics or legislation have been activated by the Kentucky General Assembly’s all-out war on LGBTQ kids,” said Chris Hartman, executive director of the Kentucky-based Fairness Campaign.

Social conservatives in Kentucky were dealt a setback in last year’s general election when statewide voters rejected a ballot measure aimed at denying any constitutional protections for abortion.

The transgender health care bill sparked emotional responses from opponents as it was fast-tracked to legislative passage by GOP supermajorities in mid-March. It would ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors. It would outlaw gender reassignment surgery for anyone under 18, as well as the use of puberty blockers and hormones, and inpatient and outpatient gender-affirming hospital services.

Doctors would have to set a timeline to “detransition” children already taking puberty blockers or undergoing hormone therapy. They could continue offering care as they taper a child’s treatments if removing them from the treatment immediately could harm the child.

The bill’s supporters say they’re trying to protect children from undertaking gender-affirming treatments they might regret as adults. Research shows such regret is rare. Gender-affirming medical treatments have long been available in the U.S. and are endorsed by major medical associations.

The bill would require school districts to devise bathroom policies that, “at a minimum,” would not allow transgender children to use the bathroom aligned with their gender identities. And it would allow teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by the pronouns they use and would require schools to notify parents when lessons related to human sexuality are going to be taught.

Debates over transgender rights garnered considerable attention throughout Kentucky’s legislative session, but in Pike County in eastern Kentucky, the issue has been a non-factor, said Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones II, a Democrat who supports Beshear.

“It’s not even been an issue up here,” said Jones, a former state senator. “People are worried about inflation, they’re worried about the economy, they’re worried about jobs. Nobody’s called my office to discuss transgender issues.”

Summing up the potential political fallout from the veto, Jones said: “People who would vote because of the governor’s veto would likely not vote for him anyway.”

Dwyane Wade's child Zaya granted legal name and gender change

Heather Hunter

February 26, 09:28 PM February 26, 09:28 PM

In a Friday ruling filed in Los Angeles' Superior Court, former professional basketball star Dwyane Wade's 15-year-old transgender child was reportedly granted an official name and gender changes, according to court documents.

Wade's child, a biological male, is now legally recognized as a female. The teen's name has legally been changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The child is from his marriage with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, whom he divorced in 2010.

In August 2022, Wade had filed a petition for the teen to legally make a name change and gender transition. The mother objected to the petition and sued Wade, asking the court to not allow the child to make a transition until 18 years old.

“I contend that our child should be given the opportunity to decide for themselves at the age of majority if they want to move forward with changing their name and/or gender,” the child's mother said in court documents.

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In previous court documents, Funches alleged that she believed Wade "may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies."

She alleges that she had a conversation with Wade in April and he claimed that "a lot of money" has "already been made" and that "additional money will be made in relation to our child's name and gender issue."

"These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children," Wade responded to her claims on Instagram in November.

Following Friday's court decision, Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union, accepted the President's Award for their support of the LGBT community at Saturday's taping of the NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California.

"Zaya, as your father, all I've wanted to do is get it right. I've sat back and watched how gracefully you've taken on the public scrutiny," Wade said at the ceremony. "And even though it's not easy, I watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you've handled ignorance in our world. I admire it that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement."

"My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams," Wade said.

"Thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I'm proud that I was chosen to stand in place as your father. And thank you so much to the NAACP for this incredible honor," added Wade.

Union, an actress and the teen's stepmother, called the transgender child's transition, "a beautiful journey."

"We honestly don't approach this work as activists or leaders as much as we do this as parents," Union said. "Parents who love our children, and will do whatever the hell we can to keep them seen and secure and safe."

HHS secretary signals sex-change surgeries for minors should be covered by taxpayers: Report

Abigail Adcox

November 30, 06:53 PM November 30, 06:53 PM

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra indicated that the Biden administration supports using taxpayer dollars to cover treatments, such as gender transition surgery, for minors that medical experts have determined are "medically necessary."

Becerra signaled that the administration supports coverage for transition-related treatments for both adults and children in written testimony submitted to the House Committee on Education and Labor on Tuesday obtained by the Daily Caller.

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"The Biden-Harris Administration supports the upcoming release of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care Version 8 and believes that all children and adults should be afforded life-saving, medically necessary care. Payers, both public and private, should cover treatments which medical experts have determined to be medically necessary,” Becerra wrote in response to a series of questions submitted by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), including whether he believed "taxpayers should pay for chemical castration and sex-change operations."

Becerra did not specify what type of "necessary care" the administration supports coverage for in his response.

The written testimony follows up on a line of questioning from Miller to Becerra at a congressional hearing in April.

At the hearing, Miller asked Becerra if taxpayers should pay for treatments such as breast/chest construction and laser hair removal under Medicare and Medicaid, to which Becerra said the administration will continue to "provide people with the protections they need to get the medical services they are entitled to" compliant with the law.

President Joe Biden has previously called Republican-led efforts to limit access to transition-related treatments, such as puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries, for minors as "immoral" but has not specified if he believes minors should have the same access to the treatments as adults.

Earlier this year, Biden signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to increase access to "gender-affirming care," including for minors, amid several states taking legislative action to limit children's access to the treatments.

NHL responds to backlash after declaring 'trans women are women'

Luke Gentile

November 24, 11:52 AM November 24, 11:52 AM

The NHL stood by its claim that "trans women are women" after being dragged on social media for making the claim Tuesday.

The league's Twitter account initially posted the claim after a user belittled the NHL's support of the Team Trans Draft Tournament in Middleton, Wisconsin.

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The tournament saw all 80 participants identify as either transgender or nonbinary and served as the first of its kind, the NHL said.

"So, men playing on [a women's] team?" one user tweeted at the NHL.

"Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Nonbinary identity is real," the NHL shot back.

Social media erupted in the wake of the tweet, with many bashing the league as woke, but the NHL has doubled down, reiterating its support for the transgender and LGBT community in an initiative called "Hockey is or Everyone."

"We support any teammate, coach or fan who brings heart, energy and passion to the rink," the NHL said in a statement.

"We believe all hockey programs — from professionals to youth organizations — should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status," it continued.

The NHL's recent comments pushing inclusivity come as the league has come under fire for its lack of diversity.

Female children undergo gender transition treatment at a higher rate than males

Julia Johnson

November 20, 06:45 AM November 20, 06:45 AM

New information suggests that young girls are initiating treatment to transition into boys more often than their male counterparts. This comes as the popularity of double mastectomy surgeries among minors rapidly increases.

"A pattern of uneven ratios by assigned sex has been reported in gender clinics, with adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB) initiating care 2.5–7.1 times more frequently as compared to adolescents who are assigned male at birth," according to an article in the International Journal of Transgender Health, published online on Sept. 15.

Clinics that perform gender transition procedures in the United States told Reuters that the ratio of their patients prior to transition is about 2:1 female to male. The publication noted that the phenomenon has also been reported in other places, namely Europe, Canada, and Australia.

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A recent study found that chest surgeries on minors increased exponentially between 2016 and 2019. Researchers from Vanderbilt University found that chest reconstruction surgeries skyrocketed by 389%, from 100 to 489.

This trend of female prevalence in seeking transgender treatment is a reversal from the past. A Dutch gender clinic study found that between 1989 and 2005, more than half of its patients were young males. However, Reuters reports that since 2016, three-quarters of the clinic's patients have been young girls.

With the onset of social media, information and trends can travel much more quickly. Reuters recently profiled a transgender child (who is biologically female and identifies as a male) and how the child was inspired to have chest surgery after seeing a doctor's video on TikTok. Six months later, Samuel Kulovitz traveled to have the procedure, with parental approval. The child also said the social media platform Tumblr had an effect on the decision to come out as transgender.

“I kept asking myself, ‘Why do you want to look like him?’” Kulovitz told Reuters of a Tumblr user.

A recent study revealed that the share of people identifying as transgender is significantly increasing, with 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds saying they are transgender. This is compared to only 0.5% of all U.S. adults.

Writers at Saturday Night Live boycott show over Dave Chappelle hosting: Report

Luke Gentile

November 10, 12:02 PM November 10, 12:04 PM

A number of staff writers at Saturday Night Live are reportedly set to boycott the show following the announcement that comedian Dave Chappelle will return to host the post-election episode.

Chappelle has been unabashedly staunch in his defense of comedy, and the comedy legend has cracked jokes in the past few years that many on the Left have deemed "transphobic" and "homophobic."

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This criticism against Chappelle appears to be shared by staff writers of the long-running show.

"I'm trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns," Celeste Yim, a writer at the show, posted on Instagram following the announcement of Chappelle hosting.

"Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned."

It is unclear if Yim is one of the writers set to boycott the show.

"They’re not going to do the show," a source close to the upset staff said, according to a report. "But none of the actors are boycotting."

There was no evidence of a boycott when the comedian attended a Tuesday meeting with the SNL crew, a representative for Chappelle said.

"The room was full of writers. They all pitched ideas and they seemed very excited about it. ... Dave is looking to have some fun," the representative said.

Chappelle hosted SNL immediately following the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Transgender contestant to compete in Skip France 2023

Jenny Goldsberry

June 25, 06:00 AM June 25, 06:00 AM

The Miss Ile-de-France Committee announced Thursday that Andrea Furet, a transgender lady, will be one of the contestants competing for the title of Pass up France 2023.

Furet, a biological guy, is fresh off a effective operate at Skip Paris, successful first runner-up. The national pageant adjusted its procedures this earlier June, allowing girls taller than 5 toes, 5 inches, moms, smokers, and even those with tattoos to contend. Beforehand, the peak requirement was what held Furet again from competing.

Rule adjustments arrived about immediately after the feminist firm Osez le Feminisme sued the pageant procedure in Oct of last calendar year. Countrywide legislation that ban discrimination centered on genetics or family conditions served tilt the new rules in Osez le Feminisme's favor.

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Furet predicted that the original pageant would established a precedent.

"I often preferred to do it, and when I understood it was doable, I did it. I don't regret it!" Furet stated straight away subsequent the pageant. "Staying initial runner-up is mad. It proves that people are completely ready for change, are completely ready for inclusiveness and living alongside one another. It truly is very wonderful. This title is really synonymous with victory."

"For us, Andrea is a prospect like the others," the president of the Pass up ile-de-France committee, Laure Mattioli, reported. "This new rule does not change the treatment of candidates. She is woman on her marital status. Which is all that issues. I do not enter the privateness of ladies."

There are 15 other contestants competing for the title, with three other Parisians like Furet. The levels of competition will begin Oct. 22 in Dammarie-les-Lys.

Look at: Transgender woman punches and knocks down bigger 'transphobic' man

Luke Gentile

June 13, 12:43 PM June 13, 12:43 PM

WARNING: Video clip capabilities graphic language

A transgender girl in Washington, D.C., knocked a gentleman down with a solid, proper-hand hit immediately after he allegedly designed transphobic remarks.

The incident took put in the U Road spot of the town when the transgender lady started to taunt a guy who supposedly produced insulting remarks.

"What b****?" the transgender lady repeats as the two stand facial area-to-confront, according to footage of the incident posted to social media.

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The pair transfer exterior of the camera's see, and what appears to be a slap can be heard, along with a crowd of onlookers gasping.

The transgender girl speedily returns to the body, going for walks backward on the sidewalk, with the a lot much larger male approaching at a rapid rate with his fingers down by his aspect.

The transgender lady can take a standard boxing stance and launches a correct hand with vicious intent at the man's jaw.

He drops face-very first into the sidewalk as the onlookers as soon as yet again gasp.

Staggering, he can make an attempt to return to his toes but is fulfilled with a second correct hand from the transgender woman.

"Dropped his a**," 1 witness claimed.

"What's up?" the transgender girl repeats in the man's encounter right after he rises to his toes again. "What is up, bruh?"

Yet another punch is thrown ahead of the pair separates, with the transgender female clapping in the man's face.

"This is what happens," just one onlooker mentioned. "You get your a** whooped."