Roommates, according to AP News, Florida’s Republican-led legislature passed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill today. The controversial bill was established to forbid sexual orientation and gender identity instruction. Under this legislation, school lessons may not occur for kindergarten through grade 3 students. The bill is now moving forward to the desk of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
To break down the bill, it states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students by state standards.” Parents have rights regarding the bill, and reports show they could sue FL districts over violations.
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Since the bill’s inception, it has drawn opposition from several people, including; LGBTQ advocates, students, national Democrats, the White House, and the entertainment industry. Representative Carlos G. Smith, Democrat, and member of the LGBTQ community, has spoken out about the bill. “This bill, from its introduction, has been used as a vehicle to marginalize and attack LGTBQ people,” he said. Rep Smith added the bill, “Sends a terrible message to our youth that there is something wrong with LGBTQ people, that there is something so dangerous or inappropriate about us that we have to be prohibited and censored from the classroom.”
Dozens of students and advocates flooded committee rooms throughout the state to protest the bill. Students used their voices, and today there were protests and student walkouts. While the bill isn’t official yet, if it is signed into law, it will go into effect on July 1st. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis supports the bill. However, he hasn’t confirmed if he will sign off on it. Roommates, drop a comment and let us know your thoughts on the bill.
