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Florida House Passes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Without Amendment Requiring Principals To Out Students

The Florida House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve a billThis bill aims to restrict the discussion about gender and sexuality within public schools. The bill has been passed without the controversial amendment that requires schools to inform parents of any change in student’s emotional, mental or physical health. 

According to supporters of House Bill 1557—formally titled the Parental Rights in Education bill and labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics—its purpose is primarily to support parents’ rights to prevent their children from being taught certain concepts about sexuality. There have been instances where students were told by teachers that they shouldn’t be worried. You don’t have to choose yet your gender. Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis (R) January or February. These discussions won’t be disclosed to the parents. This is completely inappropriate. The schools should be teaching children how to read and to write. 

Although the bill was introduced in January and has attracted criticism from civil liberties and LGBT group, it gained national attention this month thanks to its co-sponsor Rep. Joe Harding.R–Williston)Introduced an amendment to require school principals share “child-specific information” with parents. 

As Here’s whyScott Shackford, a member of the s Scott Shackford Not notedAccording to the amendment, school staff can tell parents what is happening to their student’s health even though they aren’t asking for it. It could expose children who seek help from school staff on an issue that’s not important to them. 

Harding retracted the amendment on Tuesday Say itIn a statement to Tallahassee DemocratIt was not about student outings that the “nothing” in the amendment meant. Harding Previously told mediaHe said that his opponent wanted to make it clear that the school encouraged this behavior and that it was okay for a 6-year-old child to have one identity at home and one in school.

Shackford predicts, however, that Harding’s bill would allow parents (and attorneys) to sue for damages and compensation if schools violate the very vague guidelines set forth in the bill. 

Florida’s H.B. 1757, which is similar to many education bills that are sweeping the state legislatures, has been criticized. There is one major defect in 1557: The bill’s vagueness could lead to a bill that has an intended censorship scope beyond what was originally proposed. 

This bill states that school personnel and third-party teachers cannot instruct students about sexual identity or orientation in classrooms from kindergarten to grade 3. It also prohibits them from teaching in classes in grades kindergarten through three. Parents can sue schools if they violate these guidelines. These “standards” however are as clear and simple as water. 

Is it possible to teach Alice Walker in a high school English class? Purple is the ColorA book that has an implied relationship between lesbians? Is the school allowed to have a young adult book with LGBT characters in its library? A teacher at an elementary school that is gay can put a photo of his family on his desk. 

Schools in many states that have similar bills are facing these questions already. Idaho has passed similar legislation. BanningBoise State’s abruptly abandons critical race theory Cancelled 52 classes. Texas administrator is not sure how to interpret the recent Texas law requiring balance in teaching divisive subjects. EncouragementTeachers are asked to ensure that they have at least one book about the Holocaust that is not biased.

H.B. 1557 passed the Republican-controlled House with 69 votes in favor, 47 opposed, and three abstentions. It will now head to the Senate where Republicans have 24 more seats than Democrats’ 15.