A law comes into force in Florida that bans gender discussions in schools
It has been a year since kindergarten through 3rd grade elementary school teachers in the state of Florida were unable to discuss these topics in the classroom.
Now, DeSantis wants to ban sexual orientation classes in the state for students from fourth grade elementary school through senior year high school.
The law was called “Don’t say gay”.
1 in 2 protesters protest a law restricting LGBTQIA+ education in schools in Florida on March 22, 2022 — Photo: Ringo Chiu/Ringo Chiu/Portal Protesters protest a law restricting LGBTQIA+ education in schools in Florida on March 22, 2022 — Photo: Ringo Chiu/Ringo Chiu/Portal
- What does the law restricting the teaching of LGBTQIA+ issues in schools in Florida, USA, say?
- “Don’t say gay”: Here’s how the law that bans schools in Florida from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity works
Understand the procedure
This extension of the “don’t say gay” law to the entire school curriculum does not require approval by the Florida Legislature, only by the State Board of Education, whose director was appointed by DeSantis.
Schools will continue to teach reproduction, but students can choose not to take these special classes.
2 of 2 protesters protest a law restricting the teaching of LGBTQIA+ issues in Florida schools on March 3, 2022 — Photo: Octavio Jones/Portal Demonstrators protest a law restricting the teaching of LGBTQIA+ issues in schools in Florida on March 3, 2022 — Photo: Octavio Jones /Portal
reactions to the law
The law was hotly debated in the United States last year. Critics said the rule would marginalize LGBTQIA+ people.
DeSantis and other Republicans said the move was sensible — they said it’s parents, not teachers, who should address issues of sexual orientation and gender identity with their children.
Critics of the law say the wording of the law is too broad and prone to interpretation. As a result, professors may choose to avoid subjects altogether for fear of lawsuits, they say.
Dispute with Disney
The law also sparked a dispute between the state of Florida and Disney. The company is one of the largest employers and political donors in the country. Disney publicly opposed the law, saying it would suspend political donations in the state.
Disney could lose tax breaks after Florida state crisis on LGBTQIA+ issues
At the governor’s request, the Republicandominated legislature voted to disband an autonomous district controlled by Walt Disney World over its Florida properties, eventually giving DeSantis control of the council. The measure was interpreted as a punishment for the company that defied the law. The board oversees community services on Disney theme park properties and was instrumental in the company’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.