Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill passes state senate & and heads to the Governor’s desk
Related: Disney still won’t condemn “Don’t Say Gay” bill & tells staff to go to therapy if it bothers themLGBTQ advocates have been vehemently fighting against its passage, saying it will do irreparable harm to LGBTQ students and teachers who will essentially be banned from acknowledging their identities during the school day.If DeSantis does sign the bill, it will take effect on July 1.
The Senate voted in its favor despite massive student protests against the bill at the state capitol yesterday.Holding homemade signs, students chanted, “We say gay” and assembled on the building’s front steps and inside.Inside the building, a young protester named Madelyn read a list of LGBTQ people who died by suicide after experiencing anti-LGBTQ discrimination.“The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids,” said Cathryn M.
Oakley, State Legislative Director and Senior Counsel at the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. “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.”“Discriminatory pieces of legislation like the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bill don’t solve any critical issues in Florida.
