In a Florida Capitol already braced for a fight over drag performances, a single House speech turned a legislative debate into a reckoning about the language people in power use toward their own neighbors. Rep. Webster Barnaby's description of transgender Floridians as demons and imps has become the lens through which senators now view SB 1432, a bill that would bar minors from certain adult performances and could reach far beyond the stage. It is a reminder that laws are written in the same atmosphere that words create, and that the climate of a chamber can shape a vote as surely as any argum
Florida Senators Condemn Rep. Barnaby's 'Demons' and 'Mutants' Remarks Targeting Transgender Residents
A hall pass to say crazy things
Mark
Why did the senators bring up a House member's remarks during a debate about a different bill?
Mimi
Because they saw them as connected. Polsky and Jones argued that the rhetoric and the legislation come from the same climate, and Osgood said Barnaby's words changed her vote.
Luke
Worth being careful there. Osgood's change of mind is her own account. The connection between the bill and Barnaby is the Democrats' argument, not something the reporting establishes.
Mark
What exactly did Barnaby say, and has he responded?
Mimi
He called LGBTQ+ people demons, imps and mutants while debating a restroom bill. Per NBC News, he apologized to the trans community for calling them demons.
Luke
Notice what the apology covers: the word demons. The reporting doesn't show him retracting imps or mutants or anything else he said.
Mark
Did Republicans respond?
Mimi
Yarborough, the sponsor, said name-calling and violence aren't Christ-like and he condemned them, though he didn't name Barnaby.
Luke
Right, so it's a general condemnation, not an explicit one. Also, we only hear from one Republican here.
Mark
What does SB 1432 actually do?
Mimi
It bars businesses from knowingly admitting minors to an adult live performance, with license loss or fines as penalties, and the Senate added a permit restriction last week.
Luke
Whether it will hit drag shows and Pride events is contested. Critics say the definition is vague; Yarborough says it covers only nudity, sexual activity and lewd conduct. Nothing is settled until it's enforced.
El Pulso
- A House floor speech calling transgender Floridians demons and imps has ignited fury across the Senate chamber.
- Senators are now linking that rhetoric to SB 1432, a drag bill critics say is too vague to be enforced without chilling Pride events.
- One senator flipped her vote after the remarks, a concrete sign that the speech changed the outcome of legislation.
- Barnaby's brief apology has not quieted Democrats, who are pushing for a formal censure and accountability.
- The bill now faces a House vote before it can reach Governor DeSantis, and that path is where the outcome will be decided.
In a Florida Capitol already braced for a fight over drag performances, a single House speech turned a legislative debate into a reckoning about the language people in power use toward their own neighbors. Rep. Webster Barnaby's description of transgender Floridians as demons and imps has become the lens through which senators now view SB 1432, a bill that would bar minors from certain adult performances and could reach far beyond the stage. It is a reminder that laws are written in the same atmosphere that words create, and that the climate of a chamber can shape a vote as surely as any argument on the merits. Whether the bill advances through the House and whether Barnaby faces any consequence remain open questions, held for now in the balance of a divided state.
On Tuesday the Florida Senate was supposed to debate a bill targeting drag shows and other live performances. Instead, much of the session turned to something said the day before in the House. Rep. Webster Barnaby, a Republican from Volusia County, spoke against a proposal that would keep transgender adults out of restrooms matching their identity, and he called LGBTQ+ people "demons," "imps" and "mutants," invoking scripture and speaking of "so much evil in our world today."
He later apologized to the trans community for calling them demons. For many in the Senate, the apology did not settle the matter. Democrats said such words feed a climate that gives people a "hall pass" to speak cruelly, and warned that the rhetoric can lead to violence. Sen. Rosalind Osgood, who had planned to back the drag bill, said Barnaby's remarks changed her mind, and she voted against it.
The bill, SB 1432, would bar businesses from knowingly admitting minors to "adult live performances," with penalties that could cost licenses or bring fines. Critics say its language is too vague and could be aimed at drag and at Pride celebrations. The sponsor, Sen. Clay Yarborough, condemned violence and name-calling without naming Barnaby, saying such behavior is not a "Christ-like response."
Outside the chamber, the Legislative Black Caucus said some House Democrats want Barnaby censured. The bill still needs House approval before it can reach Governor DeSantis, and the call to hold Barnaby accountable remains pending.
On Tuesday, the Florida Senate was scheduled to debate a bill aimed at drag shows and other live performances. Instead, several senators spent part of the session talking about something that had happened the day before in the House, where a member delivered a tirade against transgender Floridians.
The member was Rep. Webster Barnaby, a Republican who represents part of Volusia County. Speaking Monday about legislation that would bar transgender adults from intentionally entering a restroom or changing facility that differs from their sex assigned at birth, Barnaby referred to the LGBTQ+ community as "demons," "imps" and "mutants," as the Florida Phoenix previously reported. He spoke of "so much evil in our world today" and said he was not afraid to address what he called dysphoria and dysfunction. He then invoked the Lord's rebuke of Satan and "all of your demons and all of your imps who come parade before us," adding that he had indeed called people demons and imps who "pretend that you are part of this world."
According to NBC News, Barnaby has since offered a brief apology: "I would like to apologize to the trans community for referring to you as demons."
On the Senate floor, Democrat Shevrin Jones, who represents part of Miami-Dade County, said such rhetoric flows from the climate being created in the country and in Florida, one that gives people a "hall pass to say crazy things." He called what happened Monday dangerous and said it should not occur in a body of leaders who represent 22 million people.
Sen. Tina Polsky said the drag bill and Barnaby's comments both feed "dangerous rhetoric" that leads to violence against LGBTQ+ people. She called the bill "purposefully vague," creating an administrative nightmare and seeking to chill performances, and said it would lead to violence.
The remarks had a direct effect on at least one vote. Sen. Rosalind Osgood, a Broward County Democrat, said she had planned to vote for the drag legislation, but Barnaby's comments changed her mind and she voted against it.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, who represents parts of Northeast Florida, did not explicitly name Barnaby. He did say that violence and name-calling are unacceptable, that he condemned them, and that such behavior is not a "Christ-like response."
Outside the Senate, the Florida Legislative Black Caucus said some House Democrats want Barnaby "censured and held accountable." Caucus chair Rep. Dianne Hart called Monday's remarks "textbook transphobia and hate" and criticized the use of God's name to spread it.
The bill under debate, SB 1432, bars businesses from knowingly admitting a minor to what it calls an "adult live performance." Violators could lose liquor or operating licenses or face fines. Critics say the term is too vague and could be turned against drag shows and the LGBTQ+ community. Last week the Senate added language barring government entities from issuing permits for performances that would violate the bill's definition, which advocates believe is meant to limit Pride parades and other public celebrations.
Sen. Lori Berman, a Palm Beach County Democrat, said the bill "targets queer artistry" and follows a pattern of discriminatory laws. Yarborough countered that businesses have nothing to worry about so long as they do not deliberately admit children to events involving nudity, sexual activities and lewd conduct.
The bill still needs House approval before it goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, the call to censure Barnaby is pending.
Citas Notables
This bill feeds into that kind of dangerous rhetoric and it will lead to violence.— Sen. Tina Polsky
The violence and the name calling is not acceptable and I condemn that.— Sen. Clay Yarborough
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