Social media has been flooded with misinformation about the Parental Rights in Education bill in Florida, which critics derogatorily nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Some have suggested that the bill, as the nickname suggests, literally outlaws the word “gay” in Florida.
The bill, which has passed both houses of the Florida legislature, prevents teachers from providing instruction on sexuality or gender identity to children in grades K-3 “or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” While an earlier version of the bill said schools “may not encourage classroom discussion” involving sexual orientation and gender identity, the revised version that was approved by the state legislature prohibits only “instruction by school personnel or third parties.” The language in the earlier version of the bill raised concerns that it would prevent children with LGBT parents from discussing their family life or teachers from mentioning their spouses, leading to the revision that states the new limitation would apply only to instruction. The bill was revised February 23, 2022.
The bill would also enable parents to sue schools and teachers who teach children about sexual orientation and gender identity in the aforementioned grade levels.
The word “gay” has not been banned in the state of Florida, and would not be if the Parental Rights in Education bill is signed into law. Limitations would be placed on what material regarding sexuality can be taught to students in kindergarten through third grade, but the bill as passed by the legislature would not prevent students with gay parents from talking about their family. The Parental Rights in Education bill now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. DeSantis has said he supports the bill, and once signed it will go into effect on July 1.
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As a Florida resident with kindergarten age kids, I’m pretty indifferent to the whole thing. I don’t need schools teaching sexuality to my kids but I also haven’t noticed it to be a rampant problem either.
But extra points to our Governor, who pointed out the profound hypocrisy of Bob Chapek grandstanding about a nothing-burger bill in Florida while excusing genocide in China. Maybe Bob should move his office to Beijing.
Unfortunately I think this kind of fact check is pretty useless because I can predict what the people performatively screaming "gay" in response to this bill will reply; "maybe the text of the bill doesn't actually ban the word 'gay' but these bigoted homophobic Rethuglicans, certainly would if they could!"
And I don't really find that response to be that insane, when I see that the most passionate supporters of the bill are going straight to that old homophobic canard that gays are pedos trying to indoctrinate innocent children, by accusing bill opponents of supporting teachers "grooming" students. Yes, they are going there.
The specifics of actual legislation that delve into this kind of Culture War really don't matter. It's all about showing how one tribe is obviously vastly morally superior to the other.