Florida Senate Passes Controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill
The controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill has passed the Florida Senate and is in its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ for signing.
House bill titled 1557 received 22 yes’ and 17 no’s and DeSantis has already confirmed that he will sign the bill into law, which will then go into effect July 1.
The bill means that schools are prohibited from teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity until after they attend third grade. The district will also put in place measures to notify parents if there’s a change in their child’s mental, emotional or physical health.
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The bill has already received major backlash from many who are concerned that it will prevent children from speaking out.
“I’m not doing this because I hate anybody. I’m not trying to demonize anybody,” Sen. Dennis Baxley said. “I’m just trying to come back to center point. Parents must be in charge.”
“You’re going to have parents who say you’re trying to retrain my kids to think differently from our value system works. And so somebody has to be in charge. And I’m just shoring up the fact that the parent is in charge,” Baxley added.
However, the Miami Herald reports that the Democrats believe that the bill is harmful.
“In your effort to elect Ron DeSantis and send him to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I just ask you: Is it worth it? Is it worth it If one child is affected by this piece of legislation, what you’re doing today, I ask you: Is it worth it? Is it worth a child being outed or bullied or potentially becoming suicidal?” Sen. Randolph Bracy said.