Florida’s House of Representatives passed a controversial bill on Thursday that will prohibit teachers and school staff discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s primary schools.
The legislation — titled the Parental Rights in Education bill — known to its critics as ‘Don’t Say Gay’ — will head to the state’s Republican-held Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Governor Ron DeSantis, a republican up for re-election this fall, has previously shown support for the bill, and is expected to sign it into law. If the bill becomes law, Florida educators would not be permitted to speak with students from kindergarten to third grade about certain LGBTQ+ topics that are not considered ‘age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.’
Thursday’s 69-47 vote comes the controversial piece of legislation has gained international attention, sparking outrage globally.
Representative Joe Harding, the Republican who introduced the bill, has said the measure is about ’empowering parents.’ It would also give parents greater authority to take legal action against school districts.
It would also guarantee parents access to their children’s education and health records and require that schools notify parents ‘if there is a change in the student’s services or monitoring related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student.’
‘Creating boundaries at an early age of what is appropriate in our schools, when we are funding our schools, is not hate,’ Harding said. ‘It’s actually providing boundaries, and it’s fair to our teachers and our school districts to know what we expect.’
Harding has repeatedly stressed that the bill would not prohibit students from talking about their LGBTQ+ families or prevent classroom discussions about LGBTQ+ history.
Despite this, critics have said that the broad language of the legislation could open districts to lawsuits from parents who believe any conversation about LGBTQ+ people or issues could be inappropriate.
Opponents also worry about the potential negative impact it will have on young people.
President Biden previously spoke out against the proposal, saying: ‘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,’ he tweeted earlier this month. ‘I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.’
A national survey by the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and intervention group, found that 42 percent of LGBTQ youths seriously considered attempting suicide last year. More than half of transgender and nonbinary youths who were surveyed seriously considered suicide, it also found.
Separately, the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ youths who reported having at least one LGBTQ-affirming space had lower rates of attempting suicide.
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