WSNN – New developments in Tallahassee regarding the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
A controversial amendment was filed, then *withdrawn by the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Harding.
“What the school is required to do under this bill is to not drive a wedge between the student and the school district.,” Reop. Joe Harding, (R) of District 22.
Critics said Harding’s amendment translated to essentially ‘outing’ a student to their parents.
“I just want to clarify that nowhere in the bill is the school district require to out a student, nowhere in the bill are we limiting the speech of a student.” said Rep. Hardin.
The amendment was to be debated and voted on the House floor Tuesday afternoon.
But less than an hour before the House was set to convene, it was withdrawn.
“We believe that the best environment is an environment where the parent is empowered and involved and concurrently with the school district and that is the bill,” said Rep. Harding.
House Bill 1557 aims to prevent instructions about sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools, or at any grade level when a lesson isn’t considered age-appropriate.
“You’re saying don’t say gay, don’t be gay, and don’t teach gay, that’s what you’re saying,” said Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, (D) of Winter Park.
“What I think is age appropriate for my child, may not be age appropriate for your child, so just by saying there are two mothers, another parent would be infuriated that they would even acknowledge that because of all the questions that would come up after that,” said Rep. Robin Bartleman (D) of Weston.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, filed her own amendment. if passed it would allow LBGTQ students to sue the Florida Department of Education if their School told their parent or guardian their sexual orientation.
This amendment failed.