Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Was Just Passed in House — Continues to Senate
Florida moves a step closer to making the controversial “don’t say gay” bill into law. The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday passed the legislation in a vote 69-47.If passed, the bill would ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation completely in kindergarten through third grade, and restrict educators from teaching about the subjects “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”Florida Rep.
Joe Harding, a Republican, insisted on the floor the bill will not prohibit discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in school, but said this will guarantee parents will determine what values get instilled in their children.
He even titled the legislation a “parental rights in education” bill.“We believe that the best environment for students is an environment where the parent is empowered and involved and working concurrently with the school district,” he said.But the bill includes a significant number of restrictions LGBTQ+ advocates believe will silence speech or even acknowledgment that gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people exist.
Florida Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby, the first Black lesbian elected to the Florida Legislature and a Democratic candidate for Congress, noted she’s married to a teacher who has kept family photographs on her desk.
