Critics, supporters react to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill headed to governor’s desk

The Parental Rights in Education Bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its critics, passed in the Florida Senate on Tuesday and is now on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

If signed, the bill could impose strict guidelines on discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in schools all over the state. The bill would outright ban conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools from kindergarten through third grade and would restrict any lesson plans that are not “age or developmentally appropriate” for older students.

The bill would also allow parents or sue schools or teachers that talk about the topics. On Tuesday, the bill passed the Florida Senate by a margin of 22 to 17.

Mary Bowe-Shulman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, tells WINK News that this bill will do terrible damage.

“Especially to the young people of the state who are gay or questioning or coming out, I think it’s just going to do a world of harm to them,” Bowe-Shulman said. “I don’t have any, you know, feeling that [DeSantis] will do anything but sign the bill.”

Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia, of Miami, says the bill puts parents in charge.

“This is about rerouting the responsibility back to the parents and allowing the children to be children,” Garcia said.

If DeSantis signs the bill into law, it will go into effect on July 1.