The President, major corporations, actors, actresses and activists have all spoken out against the bill, but why?
After weeks of public debate regarding the controversial legislation nicknamed the « Don’t Say Gay » bill, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law on Monday. The bill, known formally as HB 1557, became a topic of national attention after it was first filed in January, as activists condemned the bill, stating it would cause harm to LGBTQ+ students in school environments as it stands against the teaching of sexual orientation for children in schools between the ages of 5 to 9. Many in protest of the bill led public school and employee walkouts, and major leaders of corporations like Disney and celebrities alike have publicly denounced it. But the debate has flourished as others assert that HB 1557 gives parents the authority over their children’s education, stating that there is more to it than what the « Don’t Say Gay » bill implies. So what does this bill mean? Opponents began calling it the « Don’t Say Gay » bill due to the fact that the bill prohibits « classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner. » According to the bill’s official text, « The bill reinforces a parent’s fundamental right to make decisions regarding the care and upbringing of his or her child in the public school setting.
