After Fine, Stuebe letter, Florida AG threatens legal action over Irish dance groups' transgender policy
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is threatening legal action against two Irish dance governing bodies if they continue allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ divisions during this week’s North American Irish Dance Championships in Orlando.
In a letter dated June 26 and posted publicly Monday, Uthmeier told An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) and the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America, or (IDTANA) that their policy allowing competitors to enter divisions based on gender identity may violate Florida law.
“The upcoming North American Irish Dance Championships in Orlando currently allow men who identify as women to compete in and earn recognition as women,” Uthmeier wrote. “Florida law protects fair competition for actual women and girls. Sex-based categories are rooted in biological reality, not ideology. My office will take appropriate legal action against any failure to comply.”
The warning comes days after U.S. Reps. Randy Fine, R-Fla., and Greg Steube, R-Fla., sent a similar letter urging the organizations to limit girls’ divisions to biological girls ahead of the competition, which is scheduled for the week of July 4 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando.
In his letter, Uthmeier argued that Florida law protects women from sex discrimination in places of public accommodation and said the championships fall under that definition. He also cited the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, arguing that advertising women’s competitions while allowing transgender competitors to participate could constitute a deceptive practice.
“My office will not tolerate these sorts of policies and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the rights and interests of Florida’s female competitors against CLRG and IDTANA’s unjust policy,” Uthmeier wrote.
He requested that both organizations confirm by June 30 that they will not permit biological males to compete in women’s categories during the upcoming championships or future Florida competitions.
“Should CLRG and IDTANA refuse to do so, my office will take appropriate action to protect the rights of women in Florida,” the letter states.
CLRG and IDTANA have policies stating that dancers may compete in categories that correspond with their gender identity. Uthmeier cited those policies as evidence that the organizations permit transgender competitors to participate in girls’ and women’s divisions.
