Controversial sex education bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Critics dubbed it the 鈥楧on鈥檛 Say Gay鈥� bill
Critics dubbed it the 鈥楧on鈥檛 Say Gay鈥� bill
Critics dubbed it the 鈥楧on鈥檛 Say Gay鈥� bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, a policy that has drawn intense national scrutiny from critics who argue it marginalizes LGBTQ people.
The legislation has pushed Florida and DeSantis, an ascending Republican and potential 2024 presidential candidate, to the forefront of the country's culture wars, with LGBTQ advocates, students, Democrats, and the White House denouncing what critics have called the 鈥淒on't Say Gay鈥� bill.
DeSantis and Republicans have repeatedly said the measure is reasonable and that parents, not teachers, should be broaching subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity with their children.
鈥淲e will make sure that parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination,鈥� DeSantis said before he signed the bill into law. He and other speakers stood at a podium affixed with a placard reading Protect Children/Support Parents.
Critics say the bill is so vaguely worded that speech could be muzzled throughout public schools.
The bill states: 鈥淐lassroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.鈥� Parents would be able to sue districts over violations.
DeSantis signed the bill after a news conference held at the in Spring Hill, about 46 miles north of Tampa. The school was founded by Anne Corcoran, wife of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, according to The Gainesville Sun.