Florida and the "Don't Say Gay" law
One law, two names: parents' rights for some, "Don't Say Gay" for others. Florida made history.
On 28 March 2022, at a small private school north of Tampa, Ron DeSantis signed a law that made headlines far beyond Florida. Officially it was called "Parental Rights in Education". Its opponents simply called it "Don't Say Gay".
Its core was briefly worded. From kindergarten to third grade, sexual orientation and gender identity could no longer be discussed in class. In higher grades, only if it was "age-appropriate". The text left open what that was supposed to mean in practice. Parents were also given the right to sue school districts for violations.
It was precisely this vagueness that worried teachers. Could a teacher still mention that she was married to a woman? Could a child talk about their two fathers? Many feared that schools would avoid the subject altogether for fear of lawsuits.
The resistance was loud. In Florida, students walked out of classrooms chanting "We say gay!". President Joe Biden called the plan hateful. Even Disney, one of the most powerful employers in the state, opposed the governor and openly called for its repeal after the signing. DeSantis himself spoke of education rather than indoctrination.
Instead of backing down, Florida went further. A year later, the state board of education extended the ban to all grades. Only in March two thousand and twenty-four did a settlement with the families and LGBTQ organisations who had sued bring some clarity. According to it, only actual classroom instruction on these topics is restricted. Students may continue to talk and write about them freely. The law itself remained in force.