Florida wants to expand its LGBTQ+ education bill
Image: Getty
Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisā administration proposed extending a controversial law that restricts public schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity to all grades K-12, instead of just grades K-3. The change was first reported by the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday.
š« Some quick background: The stateās initial Parental Rights in Education law ā referred to by some as "Don't Say Gay" ā placed āage appropriateā restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity lessons in grades K-3 starting last spring, giving parents the right to sue teachers they believe to be violating the law.
- It also codified parentsā rights to information about their childrensā lesson plans and health records, and required schools to give updates on changes in studentsā mental, emotional, and physical health.
š¤ So, whatās in the new bill?... The amendment, proposed by the state Education Department, would explicitly ban all classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools from grades K-3. It would also add a clause that reads:
- āFor grades 4 through 12, instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited unless such instruction is either expressly required by state academic standardsā¦ or is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student's parent has the option to have his or her student not attend."
š£ļø The arguments: DeSantis and other Florida Republicans have repeatedly said that parents, not teachers, should be in charge of teaching subjects like sexual orientation and gender identity to their children.
Critics argue that the legislation would stifle all classroom discussion on LGBTQ+ topics (since teachers wonāt want to risk getting sued), with the effect of marginalizing LGBTQ+ people and their presence in society.
š Looking aheadā¦ The amendment, which doesnāt require legislative approval, is scheduled for a vote next month before Floridaās Board of Education.
š Flash poll: How do you feel about the Florida Education Departmentās new proposal to restrict teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity from K-12?
See a 360Ā° view of what media pundits are saying ā
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the expansion of the āDonāt Say Gayā bill is part of a concerted Republican effort to erode the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ persons, and itās hypocritical of the GOP to frame the bills as protecting children from indoctrination.
- Others contend that the expansion of Floridaās ban on LGBTQ+ instruction is indicative of local lawmakersā reputation of either being driven by ideology, eager to grant questionable favors or simply compliant enough to do as they're told.
- āFloridaās crackdown on LGBTQ issues in schools is getting worseā āHayes Brown, MSNBC
- āHere's a list of hasty, ill-advised, just plain mean bills coming from Florida Legislatureā āPalm Beach Post Editorial Board
- āBills intended to shame and scare transgender students are despicableā āLA Times Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Floridaās new education bill for grades K-12 should be expanded to a federal level in order to combat the public educational establishment pushing radical gender ideology on its young student hostages.
- Others contend that the liberal media has unfairly portrayed the bill as āDonāt Say Gay,ā when the word āgayā isnāt actually featured anywhere in the legislation.
- āFloridaās crackdown on LGBTQ issues in schools is getting worseā āHayes Brown, MSNBC
- āHere's a list of hasty, ill-advised, just plain mean bills coming from Florida Legislatureā āPalm Beach Post Editorial Board
- āBills intended to shame and scare transgender students are despicableā āLA Times Editorial Board
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