Florida Bill Limits LGBTQ+ Conversations in Schools
A bill that has been called the “don’t say gay” bill has passed through the Florida House and Senate. The bill states, “A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
The bill gives parents the right to sue school districts if they are not informed of decisions regarding their student’s physical, emotional, or mental health and well-being. This includes the decision to use a student’s preferred pronouns or names that differs from their record, but school districts can choose not to notify parents of these decisions if they believe it could result in “abuse, abandonment, or neglect.”
The bill came as a result of parents being concerned that discussing topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation with lower-grade students would expose them to unnecessary and inappropriate material. Parents also didn’t want their children being taught something in school that contradicts their personal beliefs and teachings at home.
Many LGBTQ+ advocates and leaders have spoken up about this bill labeling it as dangerous as it may “out” students to unaccepting families or prevent schools from offering a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “Yes, unfortunately in our society, not every parent does a great job but to keep parents out and to keep them in the dark I don’t think that that’s something, you know that works very well.”
Source:
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/02/08/floridas-dont-say-gay-bills-explained/
By: Mary Vega
