Two Florida Republican lawmakers and the state’s attorney general are demanding changes to transgender participation rules just days before the North American Irish Dance Championships begin in Orlando. U.S. Representatives Randy Fine and Greg Steube sent a letter to the Dublin-based governing body for Irish dance and the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America, urging them to prohibit transgender girls from competing in girls’ divisions at the July 2–7 championship.
In a social media post, Fine wrote, “Biological males do not belong in girls’ dance…Florida law is clear: girls’ categories are for biological females.” James Uthmeier also threatened legal action, arguing that the organizations’ gender identity policy may violate Florida law because the competition is being held at a hotel in Orlando. He requested confirmation that transgender women and girls would not be allowed to compete in women’s categories at future Florida events.
The Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America has not publicly responded, and the championship remains scheduled to proceed as planned this week in Orlando.
