TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Same-sex bathroom legislation that has been highly controversial at the state Capitol failed to get a key committee hearing this week, effectively killing the bill. But transgender activists said it is too early to claim total victory.
The House Judiciary Committee held its final hearing this week. The topic of same-sex bathrooms was not on the agenda.
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Chair Rep. Charles McBurney, of Jacksonville, chose not to force his members to vote on something so divisive.
"If it's not going to be heard in the Senate, or it's not going to go far in the Senate, regardless of its merits or lack thereof as the case may be, we don't hear it," McBurney said.
At the bill's last hearing, 50 people signed up to speak.
"What is going to happen to me when I walk into a male bathroom?" one person asked.
Because the bill didn't get heard, it's fair to say it's on life support, but nothing is really dead until lawmakers go home.
Sponsor Rep. Frank Artilles said he isn't backing down.
"Dead?" asked reporter Mike Vasilinda.
"Um, I don't know. The legislative process doesn't end until May 2," Artilles said.
"Would you attempt to amend it?" Vasilinda asked.
"We'll see. Everything on the table," said Artilles.
Artilles' options are limited. To revive the legislation he would have to attach the bill as an amendment to another bill dealing with the same chapter of law.
There is only one likely target: Legislation being voted upon next week protecting pregnant women from discrimination.
Vasilinda asked Sponsor Sen. Geraldine Thompson is she would accept such an amendment.
"I would not," Thompson said.
Equality Florida said it will be watching to make sure there are no shenanigans with the bill, while at the same time saying their voices were heard.
"Citizens, everyday citizens are not going to be. They're not going to tolerate this type of discrimination," said Carlos Smith, of Equality Florida.
On the same day the committee didn't hear the bill, lawmakers sent the governor legislation ending the state's ban on gay adoptions.
The legislation requiring people to use the bathroom of the gender on their official ID isn't the only highly controversial bill on life support. Senators said this week they would likely not hear the bill allowing gays to be discriminated against by adoption agencies.