On March 28th GOP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the Parental Rights in Education Act, HB 1557, more commonly referred to as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill. This bill has ignited a storm of controversy with critics arguing that it bans conversation around homosexuality and transgenderism in Florida’s schools and proponents arguing that it strengthens Florida families by giving parents more say in their children’s education.
According to Governor DeSantis, the goal of the bill is to increase parental awareness, involvement, and authority in children’s education. "I think the last couple years have really revealed to parents that they are being ignored increasingly across our country when it comes to their kids' education,” DeSantis said at the bill signing. "We will make sure that parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination."
The bill’s seven pages mostly enumerate the rights of parents concerning their child’s education including the right to access all child education and health records, approve any well-being questionnaires or health screening forms in advance, and sue their school district if there’s any violation of these provisions. The bill reads, “Requiring such procedures to reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children in a specified manner.”
Only two lines address the topics of gender identity and sexual orientation, of which the bill prohibits any classroom instruction or discussion for students in grades kindergarten through 3rd grade. “Prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner,” the bill reads. The bill goes on to address those specified grade levels. “Classroom 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.”
The bill hasn’t been shy of its fair share of critics. Celebrities, mega corporations like Disney, and politicians like President Joe Biden have all weighed in on the bill. Joe Biden went as far as to call the bill ‘hateful’ toward members of the LGBTQ+ community. The bill’s biggest critic, Disney, has publicly vowed to repeal the legislation. “Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law,” the company said in a statement. “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.” Disney also promised to donate $5M to organizations that protect LGBTQ+ rights in response to the bill. The bill’s sponsors assert that the bill doesn’t discriminate against or ban conversation around LGBTQ+ lifestyles. They argue that any talk concerning sex, homosexuality, or transgenderism is not appropriate for kids ages 5-9.