DeSantis Expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’
High school teachers in Florida can’t say it
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.
A year later, he’s now expanding the ban through Grade 12. It might take effect this summer. [Update: Yes, the ban was approved and will take effect in early summer.]
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 articles of clothing, including lanyards distributed by the district last year. Elementary-level teachers reported being discouraged from…
