Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Controversial “Don’t Say Gay” Bill into Law

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has officially signed a controversial bill “Don’t Say Gay” bill, restricting LBBTQ topics in the classroom. The law will take effect in July. 

HB 1557, “Parental Rights in Education,” leads the new bill so that parents have better oversight of what their children are taught in the classrooms. Conservatives have argued that HB 1557 is necessary because such topics should be led in a home setting, not classroom discussion. 

According to CNN, “The legislation set off a social and political firestorm in Florida when it was introduced by Republican lawmakers in January. Its passage comes as conservatives around the country are pushing a host of bills that would further marginalize members of the LGBTQ community. DeSantis, a staunch conservative with a history of supporting anti-LGBTQ causes, previously approved legislation targeting LGBTQ Floridians, including an anti-trans sports ban last year.” 

The new law states that “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.” 

During the bill signing, DeSantis says, “We will continue to recognize that in the state of Florida, parents have a fundamental role in the education, health care, and well-being of their children. We will not move from that.”

DeSantis’s bill was met with backlash instantly. The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that works on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, released a statement regarding the controversial decision. 

“LGBTQ youth in Florida deserve better. They deserve to see their history, their families, and themselves reflected in the classroom, said Amit Paley, the group’s CEO and executive director, in a statement. “While I am saddened to see this harmful bill signed into law, I am inspired by the outpouring of support for LGBTQ students we have seen from parents, teachers, celebrities, and their peers. Social support is vital for suicide prevention, and I want to remind LGBTQ youth in Florida and across the country that you are not alone.”