DeSantis Expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’

High school teachers in Florida can’t say it

Tucker Lieberman

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small child in blond pigtails and earrings puts her finger to her lips as if to shush someone
Shh by Petra from Pixabay

In early 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banned classroom instruction relating to sexual orientation and gender identity — essentially, any mention thereof — in Grades K–3. It was officially called the “Parental Rights in Education Act” and informally known as “Don’t Say Gay.” It took effect over the summer.

highlighted line in the bill: prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity
HB 1557

A year later, he’s now expanding the ban through Grade 12. It might take effect this summer. [Update: Yes, the ban was approved.]

Grades K-3

The original K-3 ban led to resignations by gay teachers last May even before the law took effect.

Though “Republicans tried so hard to frame it as a bill prohibiting sex-ed,” as Jack Petocz commented on Twitter, they had other measures in mind. “The law goes into effect in 2 days, and teachers are literally being ordered to scrape off rainbow safe-space stickers from their classroom doors.”

“According to representatives of the [Orange] county’s teacher association,” WFTV reported in June 2022, “teachers and staff members will be disallowed from wearing rainbow…

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Tucker Lieberman

Cult classic. Author of the novel "Most Famous Short Film of All Time." Editor for Prism & Pen and Identity Current. tuckerlieberman.com