The Parental Rights in Education bill is expected to hit the desk of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis “soon,” according to his press secretary, Christina Pushaw, who told The Epoch Times on March 25 “the governor is excited to sign it” into law.
Meanwhile, increasing drama swirls about HB 1557, known by those who oppose it as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Despite what the moniker suggests, the bill doesn’t ban the word “gay.” It simply bans classroom instruction relating to gender identity and sexual orientation for children in kindergarten through third grade. Teaching deemed age-appropriate is already outlined in the state’s official standards starting in fourth grade.
The bill also says schools must involve parents in any decisions involving the mental or physical well-being of the child. If they don’t, the bill would give parents an avenue for making a complaint against the school through the state’s Department of Education.
Still, progressive LGBTQ activists around the country have decried the measure, which was recently passed by the Republican-led Florida Legislature. They’ve organized protests as far away as California.
