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13-year-old Broward girl sues Florida over transgender school athletes ban

Ron DeSantis
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

A 13-year-old transgender girl has filed a lawsuit against Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over a bill that he signed on June 1st that will require anyone participating in girls athletics to to have an original birth certificate that states they are female. 

According to the lawsuit filed on her behalf from the Human Rights Campaign, the lawsuit argues that the ban is discriminatory and will deprive her of opportunities.

The Broward County girl, only identified asDaisy, has played on girls soccer teams since she was 7, but will no longer be able to do so on school teams under the law that takes effect Thursday.

Participating in sports has given her leadership skills and provided her a social network and support system, according to the lawsuit.  The lawsuit only identifies her as “D.N.” to protect her privacy. The group said her name is Daisy. She also planned to try out for a high school volleyball team.

“Depriving her of these opportunities will have a long-term impact on her future. It also will create a sense of shame and diminish her positive sense of self, which can have lifelong consequences,” the suit says. The new law “also sends a message to (Daisy’s) current and future teammates that there is something wrong with her.”

DeSantis’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.