Florida Bill Could Ban Black Fraternities And Sororities

Miami’s NBC affiliate reports:

The controversial HB 999 bill aims to restrict the programs and activities that Florida universities and colleges can promote or support. It calls into question student organizations, groups or activities centered on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Line 341 of the bill aims to prohibit universities or colleges from using any funds to promote, support, maintain, any programs or campus activities that support or adopt diversity, equity and inclusion. That line is raising red flags for some Florida legislators.

“What campus activities are you attempting to regulate?” state Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, asked during a recent House committee hearing. A member of a sorority herself, Hinson said her interpretation of the bill is that it could also impact the way Black sororities or fraternities operate on campus.

The Hill reports:



State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D) said that the bill is “so vague that HBCUs or other institutions period who have a Black fraternities and sororities on their campuses can practically say we will no longer be supporting you on our campuses based off of this law.”

Florida’s House passed the bill on Monday, and the state Senate will debate the proposed legislation on Wednesday. The bill bans courses “based on unproven, theoretical, or exploratory content” and majors in women’s studies or gender studies.