The bill pushed Florida and De Sandis, a rising Republican and potential candidate for the 2024 presidency, to the forefront of the country’s cultural wars, with LGBTQ supporters, students, Democrats, the entertainment industry and the White House denouncing it. which critics call “Don”. t Say Gay »bill.
DeSantis and Republicans have repeatedly stated that the measure makes sense and that parents, not teachers, should discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with their children.
“We will make sure that parents can send their children to school for education, not catechism,” Desantis said before signing the bill. He and other speakers stood on a platform with a placard reading Protect Children / Support Parents.
Critics say the bill is so vague that speech could be silenced in public schools.
High school students protest the bill on March 3, 2022. The bill was signed into law Monday because of criticism that it marginalizes LGBTQ people. (Octavio Jones / Reuters)
The bill states: “Teaching in the classroom by school staff or third parties about sexual orientation or gender identity is not allowed in kindergarten until the third grade or in a way that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students according to with state standards “. Parents will be able to sue the districts for violations.
DeSantis signed the bill after a press conference at the Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill, about 75 miles north of Tampa. The school was founded by Anne Corcoran, wife of Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, according to the Gainesville Sun.
