LGBTQ+ advocates and allies protesting ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Naples

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies are protesting the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill on Friday. Naples Pride says the bill targets the LGBTQ+ community.

The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill forbids schools from encouraging students to discuss LGBTQ + issues and gender identity.

At Cambier Park in Naples, it is quiet so far.

Naples Pride planned on delivering a petition to Sen. Kathleen Passidomo’s office ahead of the march. That petition had more than 300 signatures.

The message to Passidomo from the LGBTQ+ community is to vote no.

On Thursday, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill advanced out of a House Judiciary Committee by a  vote of 13-7.

During the House Judiciary debate, the members had to be reminded of decorum.

Supporters of House Bill 1557 say that sexual orientation and gender identity are conversations to be held at home.

But, those in opposition to the bill say not all LGBTQ+ students are supported at home.

Jordan Lytle is a student. “Don’t pass these bills, don’t pass homophobic bills, don’t silence gay people’s lives, LGBT lives,” Lytle said.