TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - The sunshine state showdown, where two controversial bills are front and center on the Senate floor.
The Parental Rights measure, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, is on its way to becoming Florida law.
“It singles us out, it singles out LGBTQ Floridians like me who are colleagues in the House,” said State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D), Orlando.
“Nowhere are we limiting a discussion on different types of families on the way they look, and I wanna reassure you on that,” said Rep. Joe Harding (R), Williston.
The measure would ban instruction and some argue discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity issues for younger grades.
“What topics specifically for people like myself, LGBTQ Floridians, are not appropriate to teach in the classroom?” said Smith.
“Nowhere in our bill are we banning any discussion that a student could have relating to any different variation of families and how they can look,” said Harding.
“Why is there a need for this when people can simply opt out?” said State Rep. Robin Bartleman (D), Weston.
“There have been examples of school districts that have gone within policies and procedures they have implemented, where they have pushed the parent away to the point of actually encouraging engagement from the parent,” said Harding.
Florida House Republicans refer to the bill by its official name: the Parental Rights in Education, a measure that would bar instruction and some say, discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in younger grades and at any time it’s deemed not age appropriate.
“We believe that discussing sex ed and some gender issues with little children is inappropriate,” said Rep. Tom Fabricio (R), Hialeah.
But opponents say the bill has nothing to do with sex ed.
“It singles us out as a prohibited topic, as taboo, as dangerous,” said Smith. “We are your children, and the language singles us out, people you love and respect, for no reason.”
“Nowhere in the bill is a school district required to out a student, nowhere in the bill are we limiting the speech of the students,” said Harding.
But the proposed law would also set up new rules when it comes to healthcare, health screenings and questionnaires given to students and allows parents to sue if they feel the school violated their rights.
“We believe that the best environment for our students is an environment where the parent is empowered, involved and working and concurrently with the school district,” said Harding.
“Because the bill’s sponsor doesn’t want to talk about the impact, he says it’s not in the bill, let’s talk about the impact,” said State Rep. Michele Rayner (D), St. Petersburg.
“It talks about curriculum, what’s taught to a kindergartener, first grader, second grader, third grader, so for example, R movies, R-rated movies are inappropriate, for a kindergartener and first grader and second grader,” said Fabricio.
“You’ve seen instances in which kids are encouraged gender ideology, and I think the parents need to be involved in that,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
But opponents, including three Democrats currently running for governor, slammed the move Tuesday.
“Risking the mental and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ students as well as taking away our constitutional rights of freedom of speech, appear to have fallen on deaf ears,” said candidate for governor and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried (D).
“We are so free according to this governor that we can’t say the word gay in this state,” said Sen. Annette Taddeo (D), a candidate for governor.
“And what they’re doing to gay people, they just want to punish them, punish the kids, not be able to talk about it, act like they don’t exist? What’s wrong with these people?” said U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who is also running for governor.
The bill’s sponsor released a video on social media which stated, “The bill is designed to keep school districts from talking about these topics before kids are ready to process them. I don’t think it’s controversial to empower parents,” said Harding.
Another controversial bill, meanwhile, is on the fast track now to becoming law. A Senate committee approved the 15-week abortion ban Monday, with several proposed changes.
Including an exception for rape/incest and human trafficking, going down in defeat.
“There is also an underlying thought this child was conceived of something horrible, rape or incest that somehow that child should be hated and should not be be loved,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel (R), Lakeland.
“I ask that you have compassion and empathy, think about other people and leave the audacity being a certain type of man to stand up and tell a person that their situation is irrelevant. That is dangerous,” said Sen. Bobby Powell (D), West Palm Beach.
The abortion bill has already passed the House but still needs to pass the Senate, which is likely to occur in the next few days.
As for the “Don’t say Gay” bill, the House is still discussing it Tuesday afternoon and will vote on it either Thursday or Friday.
The bill as written now also states that it would also be restricted in other age groups, if it’s not age appropriate, which is what lawmakers are trying to nail down.
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