By Molly Chang
The Parental Rights in Education Bill, otherwise referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to opponents, was passed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28, 2022, stirring up national controversy.
This Republican-backed bill limits discussion of topics involving sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms. Lessons in other grades are also prohibited unless they are “age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate.”
The passage of this bill would also allow parents to file a lawsuit against schools and teachers that continued doing so.
Although signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28, 2022, the policies of the bill would be implemented and put into effect on July 1, 2022. Throughout the past month, Gov. DeSantis has demonstrated immense support for it.
During a press conference that took place on February 7, 2022, DeSantis voiced his opinion, telling reporters that it is “entirely inappropriate” for teachers to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.
“Schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write…They need to teach them science, history. We need more civics and understanding of the U.S. Constitution, what makes our country unique, all those basic stuff,” DeSantis said.
At the Florida Strawberry Festival on March 7, 2022, DeSantis was interviewed by reporters about the highly controversial bill, where he further argued for his stance on the issue.
“We’re going to make sure that parents are able to send their kid to kindergarten without having some of this stuff injected into their school curriculum,” DeSantis said.
While supporters of the legislation, like DeSantis, argue that the bill will ensure parental control over their children’s curriculum, critics say it does nothing but harm the LGBTQ community.
“This is going to endanger the safety of our LGBTQ students and adolescents. We will not stop until this state moves forward and actually values everyone in it, everyone no matter their sexual orientation,” State Senator Annette Taddeo said in a floor debate before the Senate vote.
Democrat Shevrin Jones, the first openly gay Florida State Senator, reflected on his own difficult experience, encouraging his Republican colleagues to make the right decision.
“I ask that you open up your hearts just a tad bit,” Jones said. “Please, do no harm.”
However, the lawmakers’ decision did not budge.
Opponents argued that students are quite aware of their gender identity and sexual orientation from an early age, and schools should be permitted to provide safe environments for these discussions.
In response to the passage of this bill, LGBTQ activists and advocates gathered in front of the Florida State Capitol on March 7. They held up posters, chanted “We say gay,” and held speeches throughout the day, in which many gave their opinions on the newly passed act.
In schools, students began staging walkouts throughout the state of Florida—in Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee and other neighboring cities. They waved rainbow picket signs and handed out over 200 pride flags as a protest against the legislation.
In addition, hundreds of employees of The Walt Disney Company in Florida walked off the job on March 22, protesting for Disney to “stop making political donations to Florida politicians—including Gov. Ron DeSantis,” in efforts of protecting the minority groups targetted by the bill.
The Biden administration has also demonstrated disapproval, labeling the bill as anti-LGBTQI+. “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community—especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill—to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” President Joe Biden tweeted on February 8.
