A transgender lifeguard candidate at a pool in Jacksonville, Florida was rejected after removing their shirt and exposing their breasts in front of dozens of children. The transgender person, who has not been identified by name, is a biological female who had not undergone top surgery to remove her breasts.
The transgender individual was among 20 other applicants, the youngest of whom was 15. They removed their top during a training exercise at the Cecil Aquatic Center in front of children and parents who were using the pool.
Mayor Lenny Curry made a statement on the incident after his office received a witness complaint.
“Through a citizen expressing concerns, my administration became aware of an incident where a biological female trainee in a lifeguard program was topless at one of our public pools,” said Curry.
“After consideration of the incident, I believe it is wrong for our public pools to be a place where Jacksonville families are forced to explain to their children why a person hired to protect public safety is exposing her breasts,” Curry added.
“I see no reason for our lifeguards to be forced to make changes to existing rules mandating that biological females cover their chests,” he said. “Our parks and public pools are meant to be a place where families can feel safe to enjoy themselves.”
“We shouldn’t force parents of young children to be caught in the crossfire of battles over wokeism.”
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The transgender lifeguard candidate was not hired after this incident.
While parents were likely grateful that the city stood up for their children, not everyone was thrilled with the city’s reaction.
Executive director and founder of Queer Trans Project Cielo Sunsarae claimed that Curry overreacted to the situation.
“This individual here was coming for a position to protect the children and people at the pool, they came here for one reason and were denied for another reason completely not related to it,” said Sunsarae.
“Kids don’t sexualize breasts, it’s the adults that are making it out bigger than what it is,” he insisted. “What’s the difference if the person had top surgery or not?”
