On March 8, the Florida Senate passed a bill that would prohibit "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity" in the state's primary schools, NBC News reported.
The measure, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by its opponents, was passed by the state House last month and now heads to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has expressed support for it.
The Parental Rights in Education bill, which was passed in both legislative bodies largely along party lines, has added fuel to the latest American culture war, which has put students in its crosshairs with a combination of book bans, Pride flag removals and bills targeting LGBTQ youth.
LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals reacted strongly to this latest development. Equality Florida said in a statement, "The Don't Say Gay bill has passed the FL legislature and now goes to the governor's desk. Let us be clear: Should its vague language be interpreted in any way that causes harm to a single child, teacher, or family, we will lead legal action against the State of Florida to challenge this bigoted legislation.
"We will not sit by and allow the governor's office to call us pedophiles. We will not allow this bill to harm LGBTQ Floridians. We will not permit any school to enforce this in a way that endangers the safety of children. We stand ready to fight for Floridians in court and hold lawmakers who supported this bill accountable at the ballot box."
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis added, "This bill brands Florida land of the 'less free' by legalizing censorship and harming LGBTQ students and families. Banning discussion of LGBTQ people in school is an effort to silence and shame, to divide and disrespect, when all students should feel safe and learn about themselves and each other. To every LGBTQ child and every LGBTQ parent in Florida, you do belong and we know that history is on our side."
In addition, out LGBTQ Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones spoke from the Senate floor before the vote: To those who think you can legislate gay people away, I'm sorry. You cannot. I think you should legislate to protect them."
"The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids. The existence of LGBTQ+ people across Florida is not up for debate. We are proud parents, students, and teachers, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to exist boldly, just like everyone else," said Cathryn M. Oakley, state legislative director and senior counsel at the Human Rights Campaign.
Oakley continued, "Discriminatory pieces of legislation like the 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' bill don't solve any critical issues in Florida. Instead, these bills shamefully attack and endanger LGBTQ+ students who are just trying to get a quality education, whom the state has an obligation to treat fairly and protect. LGBTQ+ Floridians are more than twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to non-LGBT Floridians. Governor DeSantis must veto HB 1557."
