Florida Law Bans 18-Year-Olds From Discussing Sexual Orientation
Ron DeSantis and his critics, including Disney, which refer to the controversial Parental Rights in Education law as the "Don't Say Gay" law.
The law is the latest in a slew of conservative-driven policies backed by DeSantis—who is widely anticipated to announce a bid for president—which includes removing books from schools that aren't on an approved reading list until they are reviewed by an employee with a media specialist certificate.
The policy bans books with explicit content, such as pornographic material, from schools.According to a report by the Associated Press, the law will take effect once a procedural notice period ends in a month.Newsweek reached out to Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz for comment by email.Equality Florida, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group that recently announced a travel advisory for the state because of recent laws that make it "hostile" for LGBTQ+ individuals, called the law a "despicable escalation" of DeSantis' "assault on freedom"."Free states do not ban books.
Free states do not censor entire communities out of the classroom. Free states do not refuse to recognize the historical contributions of LGBTQ people because of who they are and who they love.
