Classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity is now heavily restricted in Florida through grade 12, as the state Board of Education Wednesday approved a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand Parental Rights in Education prohibitions beyond grade 3, The Associated Press reports.
Florida previously barred instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in grades K-3, with a lawmaker behind the measure explaining it was "designed to keep school districts from talking about these topics before kids are ready to process them."
The law and similar measures in other states have been dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” bills by opponents. Florida, Texas and other states have recently considered legislative expansions of these policies.
For students in grades 4-12, the expanded directive prohibits instruction on these topics unless required by state academic standards or as part of a reproductive health course that students can be opted out of by their families.
According to AP, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz said the move is meant to reduce confusion around the state’s Parental Rights in Education law and reinforce the idea that educators should stick within the boundaries of existing state-approved curricula.
GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers condemned the move in a statement released Wednesday, saying the decision “will result in catastrophic consequences for Florida students and supportive educators. Curriculum bans deprive LGBTQ+ youth of the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the classroom and their non-LGBTQ+ peers from learning about LGBTQ+ communities.”
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