Protests erupted in and near the Florida Capitol building Friday as lawmakers in the state House of Representatives voted to approve an expansion of what critics commonly refer to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The proposed legislation would be based on the Parental Rights in Education Act of 2022, which bans discussions of gender identity and sexuality from kindergarten through third grade in public schools. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and other Florida conservatives have argument that teaching such subjects in public schools is a form of “indoctrination,” and that they should be taught by parents at home.
The new bill HB 1069, I would put more limits on discussessions of sex education, sexual orientation, and gender identity in K-12 public schools, and that teach that “sex is determined by biology and reproductive function at birth.” It would also restrict how teachers in these schools can use students’ preferred pronouns.
As lawmakers debated the bill on Friday100+ LGBTQ+ students and allies marched to the state capitol. Many flooded the hallways outside the House chamber, and others protested around the building and in areas near the Capitol grounds.
Protesters outside the House chamber stood in a large circle, chanting “this is what democracy looks like” and “hey hey ho ho, Ron DeSantis has to go.” youThe crowd began to boo upon hearing the news of the bill’s passage.
Many Florida Democrats opposed the proposal, saying it amounted to sex discrimination, political reports.
“This bill does nothing more than tell certain parts of our community in Florida that they don’t exist,” said state Rep. Ashley Gantt (D), according to Politico.
Two Republican lawmakers voted against the proposal. But in Florida’s Republican-majority legislature, the bill still passed. 77-35. The vote took place on Transgender Day of Visibility, which is celebrated annually on March 31.
HB 1069 is among 10 florida bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights that have advanced in the current legislative session, as well as hundreds more nationwide. These include similar expansions to the Parents’ Rights in Education Act, such as SB 1320 and HB 1223introduced by Republican lawmakers in Florida.
The Senate version of HB 1069 still awaits a final committee hearing before the proposal can go to the plenary for a final vote.
