In a move that critics say will further marginalize already-vulnerable LGBTQ+ students, Florida education officials have voted to ban classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for all public school grades. The new rule expands on a law signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis that previously barred such lessons for younger students, leading critics to dub it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The governor is widely expected to run for president in 2024, and this latest move is part of a broader rightward push on cultural issues.
The board, whose members are appointed by the governor, unanimously approved the ban on lessons regarding gender identity or sexual orientation for grades four through 12. However, instruction on these topics may be allowed if it is required by state standards or is part of a health class that parents can opt their children out of. Violating the rule could result in the suspension or revocation of an educator’s teaching license.
Last year, DeSantis signed legislation outlawing instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation from kindergarten through third grade, with the reasoning that parents, rather than teachers, should decide when to discuss those subjects with their children. This sparked an ongoing battle between DeSantis and Disney, after the entertainment corporation publicly opposed the law.
Opponents of the rule argue that its vague language may cause teachers to avoid the subjects altogether, possibly even by removing books that feature LGBTQ+ characters. On the other hand, supporters of the ban say it ensures that children are not taught age-inappropriate subjects without parental oversight. Some supporters have claimed that decisions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity should be left to parents.
The new rule has been met with criticism and controversy, with dozens of speakers giving impassioned remarks ahead of Wednesday’s vote. Several transgender people spoke about how having a trusted teacher to confide in during their adolescence helped save their lives. Critics, including President Joe Biden, have expressed concern that the law will further marginalize LGBTQ+ students.
The regulation does not require legislative approval, but the Republican-majority legislature is considering a bill that would expand the 2022 law through eighth grade. The ban has sparked a heated debate in Florida, as both supporters and opponents of the rule continue to make their voices heard.