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A Florida Senate committee on Tuesday approved a controversial proposal that critics have dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill because it could affect discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.
The overall bill includes issues such as requiring school districts to notify parents of any changes to students’ services or monitoring of students’ mental or physical health.
But part of the bill dealing with discussions about sexual orientation and gender has riled LGBTQ advocates and invited the moniker “don’t say gay.”
That part of the bill says that “A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
Bill opponents, including Senator Tina Polsky, have criticized the measure as sending a “dangerous message” that conversations about the LGBTQ community should not be allowed. “If the teacher has an opinion, good or bad, about an LGBTQ situation, and they can or can’t say it because of this bill, isn’t that affecting their free speech?”
Parents could file lawsuits against school districts for violations of the bill. The bill is sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley who feels many educators are teaching their own opinions, "They have a political and cultural view that they get wrapped up in, and they become advocates in that setting with children, not thinking that this is the parent's role.”
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has made parental involvement in education a rallying cry, endorsed the measure on Monday.
As the 2022 session nears its halfway point, a similar House measure has also been approved by one committee.