'We won't allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other. 'In Florida we are taking a stand against the state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory,' Governor Ron DeSantis said last year, announcing his support of the bill. The bill and its sponsors says its goal is to 'reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children.' Supporters of HB 1557 framed the bill as a matter of parents' rights, arguing that discussions around sexuality can negatively affect students' mental and physical health and well-being. As CBS Miami reports, HB 1557 prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, and, in other grade levels, bars discussion that is not 'age or developmentally appropriate.' It would also allow parents to sue school districts that go against the law. If passed, the legislation would go into effect for the 2022-2023 school year. The Republican-backed bill, which would restrict teachers and school districts from openly discussing gender identity and topics surrounding sexuality in the classroom, passed 69-47 and now moves to the Florida Senate for further debate. Florida's House of Representatives passed HB 1557, also known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, on Thursday.
