Lawmaker Files Bill to Repeal State Ban on Dwarf Tossing in Bars

NBC Miami ^ | Oct. 6, 2011 | Mary Beth Wilson

[Beaten Valve]

A Florida lawmaker has filed a bill that would repeal a state law prohibiting dwarf tossing in bars.

Rep. Ritch Workman of Melbourne filed House Bill 4063 on Monday.

"To me it's an archaic kind of Big Brother law that says, 'We don't like that activity,'" Workman told the Florida Current. "Well, there is nothing immoral or illegal about that activity. All we really did by passing that law was take away some employment from some little people."

The cringe-inducing activity was outlawed in 1989, when national controversy over dwarf tossing prompted the Legislature to ban it in bars for safety reasons, the Current reports.

House Bill 4063 would repeal Florida Statute 561.665, which bans establishments who sell alcohol from activities "involving exploitation endangering the health, safety, and welfare of any person with dwarfism."

[Loud Mime]

I bet it comes up short on the needed votes

[Navy Patriot]

Bring back the midget missiles!

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Does this mean the Lollipop Guild is back in business?

[thackney]

midget ping

You be able to rent out your shed again if we get some midget jobs back in town.

[NEMDF]

Every day I learn something new on FR. I had no idea there was such a thing as dwarf-tossing. And that it was not illegal.

[WayneS]

There was a 'national controversy' over dwarf tossing in 1989 and I missed it?

I don't believe it. I think someone must be exaggerating the scope and/or scale of the 'controversy'.

Dwarf tossing is NOT the kind of 'national controversy' that would have slipped by me.

PS - I am 'pro-choice' on the subject of dwarf tossing. Dwarf's should have the same freedoms as the rest of society.

[WayneS]

It IS illegal.

That’s the problem.

[JPG]

For safety’s sake, Robert Reich drinks at home.

[smokingfrog]

It’s my constitutional right to toss dwarfs, dammit!

[Montanabound]

I wonder how far Barbara Boxer would fly.

[muawiyah]

As someone with more than anyone's fair share of folks at or under 4'10" let me say this about that ~ Great Uncle Charlie had a big Harley Davidson motorcycle and when he was out there on US 31 going 125 MPH he was as big as any man on the road ~ and much less likely to be blown off!

[Dead Corpse]

Toss me... But don't tell the Elf...

[Revolting cat!]

You can have my dwarf when you prise it from my cold dead hands.

[RichInOC]

Okay, I laughed.

[beethovenfan]

They’re talking about physical dwarfs, not mental dwarfs.

[alancarp]

Well, yeah, it actually was big news - at least in Florida - in 1989. Frankly, I can't imagine allowing myself to be thrown across a room for the entertainment of others (though it would take a team to throw me). In terms of employment, that's gotta rank down there even below "ditch digger" and just above "personal injury lawyer".

This is kinda one of those things in which you'd think nobody would have to say "this is just all wrong." But since they did, I can't really fathom a reversal.

P.S. - Is there a dwarf-tossing faction out there trying to actively lobby for re-instate the practice? Really?

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Don’t like the idea either but there are little people who making it illegal didn’t help at all. Some interviewed said that being tossed is how they make a living.

[Cicero]

Dwarfs deserve jobs, too, and they don’t make very convincing bouncers.

[NonValueAdded]

Brevard County, Florida ping.

Ritch, I surely hope someone asked you to file this and you didn't just come up with this on your own.

Let me know if you want on or off this ping list.
(not associated with the county government)