Florida Rep. Ritch Workman has filed a bill to bring back “dwarf tossing,” which was outlawed in the state more than 20 years ago, the Palm Beach Post reports.
To be fair, Workman, R-Melbourne, is quoted as being against dwarf-tossing personally, but the government shouldn't regulate the way people live or make a living, he said.
"I would never force anybody to take this form of employment or pay to watch it," Workman told the Palm Beach Post. "I think it's repulsive and stupid. But it's none of the state's business if somebody wants to do this."
Workman is no stranger to repealing Florida laws that he feels are antiquated. Last month, he filed legislation to repeal a provision that makes it illegal in Florida for people to be "living in open adultery."
"What you do in your bedroom is your business, not the business of my great state," Workman told HLN, adding that the measure is unenforceable anyway.
Dwarf-tossing, a controversial contest that usually takes place in bars and involves throwing little people across short distances, has been opposed by advocacy groups.
But now Workman hopes repealing the dwarf-tossing measure can help the economy, specifically the little people. "All that it does is prevent some dwarfs from getting jobs they would be happy to get," Workman told the Palm Beach Post. "In this economy, or any economy, why would we want to prevent people from getting gainful employment?"
The Florida law, in force since 1989, bans residents "from undertaking or permitting any contest or promotion or other form of recreational activity involving exploitation endangering the health, safety, and welfare of any person with dwarfism."
Workman, born in Belleville, Ontario, is a mortgage broker. He also served in the National Guard for several years, according to the Florida House of Representatives website.
Didn't know about this man before but I m glad I ran into this. More republicans these days seem to be turning back to the ideals of liberty and ideas that as long as an act is consensual there is no reason for government to interfere. Who has the right to ban people from voluntarily participating in this, umm... sport ? or job , whatever it is ? Nobody – that's their own decision. If they were forced that'd be a whole another thing, but they are not. I like his statement on the FL adultery law – "What you do in your bedroom is your business, not the business of my great state". Right on target!
Personally, I wish they would legalize State Rep tossing.
I would gladly pay for a chance to toss a State Rep out on their a$$.
Personally, I believe dwarf tossing is degrading and dehumanizing. I am a dwarf. I am not an object..I am a human being.
I understand that the economy is tough in the present day but to put yourself in harms way and possibly get severely hurt just to earn a paycheck is absolutely insane......Being a dwarf only means that you are short....not a freak.
so glad I moved from Palm Bch Cty, only idiots there