Yup, you read that title correctly.
Florida Republicans are pushing a series of bills on gender and diversity that are set to become law, including a sexual health bill proposed by GOP lawmaker Stan McClain. Â The bill would prohibit girls from discussing their menstrual cycles in school, prompting criticism from feminist advocates. Â During a hearing, state Rep. Ashley Gantt questioned McClain on whether the proposed legislation would prohibit young girls from discussing their periods in school, to which he responded that it would. Â McClain later clarified that his bill would not intend to punish girls who approached teachers with questions about their menstrual cycle. Â Despite blowback from critics, including the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, McClain’s bill passed on a party-line vote.
The proposed legislation is part of a broader wave of Republican-sponsored bills that could transform K-12 and higher education in Florida. Â Some of the bills would require teachers to use pronouns matching children’s sex assigned at birth and eliminate college majors in gender studies. Â Other legislation would cut diversity efforts at universities, strengthen parents’ ability to veto K-12 class materials, and extend a ban on teaching about gender and sexuality.
Restricting young girls from discussing their periods in school is an egregious measure that ignores the realities of women’s health. Â The bill’s proposal to teach that reproductive roles are binary, stable, and unchangeable is also outdated and dismissive of the many gender identities and expressions that exist. Â These bills represent a power grab by Florida’s political leaders and threaten to limit educators’ ability to provide honest and comprehensive instruction to their students.