Florida Advances Bill To Worsen “Don’t Say Gay” Law

Florida News Service reports:

The Republican-controlled House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee voted 14-4 along almost-straight party lines to approve the proposal (HB 1223), after numerous LGBTQ advocates slammed the bill as harmful to vulnerable youths. Rep. Lisa Dunkley, D-Sunrise, voted with Republicans for the measure.

The 2022 law, which drew national attention and federal court challenges, prohibited instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and required it to be “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” in higher grades.

The new bill would extend the prohibition through eighth grade — reigniting a legislative debate about the 2022 law, which was formally titled the “Parental Rights in Education” bill but was derided by opponents as the “don’t say gay” bill.

Read the full article. Photo: Rep. Adam Anderson, sponsor. Looking on is GOP Rep. Spencer Roach, who lost his house to Hurricane Ian shortly after voting for the first “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The bill would expand restrictions created by the Parental Rights in Education law (opponents call “Don’t Say Gay”) from 3rd grade to 8th grade. https://t.co/58oy91axbh

— WCJB TV20 News (@WCJB20) March 15, 2023