Florida Law Takes Aim at School Curricula

By Cayla Mckay ‘25
On Thursday, February 24, Florida’s House of Representatives passed HB 1557, which opponents have been referring to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Formally known as the Parental Rights in Education bill, HB 1557 prohibits teachers and school districts from discussing topics regarding gender and sexuality in classrooms. Lessons “may not occur in kindergarten through grade three or in a manner that is not age-appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” Furthermore, it prohibits similar discussions in higher grade levels that are not “age or developmentally appropriate.” This bill, if passed by the Senate, would be effective for the 2022-2023 school year, and allows parents to sue school districts that they believe violate the law. 

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According to a study from the Public Research Lab at the University of North Florida, 49% of Floridians said they oppose the legislation, exceeding the 40% who said they supported the bill. The bill passed in the Florida House of Representatives in a 69 to 47 vote, with every Democrat and seven Republicans voting against the legislation. The bill will now go to the Florida Senate for further debate. 
Supporters of the bill believe that discussions regarding sexuality can negatively affect a student’s mental and physical health, while LGBTQ activists believe that this bill will damage queer youth’s representation and inclusion in classrooms. The Human Rights Campaign says that the bill would only be isolating the LGBTQ youths who are already at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues than their peers. They believe that by barring classroom discussions about the issues that LGBTQ people face, these students will be put at a greater risk for bullying, depression, and suicide. 
Amit Paley, the CEO and executive director of The Trevor Project, believes that “Lawmakers should be supporting LGBTQ students and their families and encouraging schools to be inclusive, not pitting parents against teachers and erasing the LGBTQ community from public education.” 
Additional activists say that eliminating all discussion of LGBTQ topics implies that students should be ashamed of their gender identity or sexual orientation. 
The bill states that its goal is to “reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children.” Many supporters of the bill view it as a matter of a parent’s right to have a say in their children’s school curriculum.
    In a statement regarding the bill, President Biden tweeted, “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community— especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill— to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protection and safety you deserve.”
On the same day the “Don’t Say Gay” bill was passed, the Florida House also passed the “Stop WOKE Act,” a bill that bans the teaching of critical race theory which analyzes systemic racism in the U.S.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis wrote regarding the law.  “We won’t allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other,” 
    The “Stop WOKE Act” would give employees the ability to file discrimination claims against their employers if they give training or discuss any concepts or discrimination such as Black history or LGBTQ-related topics. 
    Similarly, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot has ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to begin investigations into parents of children undergoing gender-transitioning procedures as allegations arise regarding whether or not these procedures could be considered child abuse.
    Additionally, across the U.S. there have been movements in school districts to ban books concerning social inequality such as racial injustice and sexism, preventing minorities from receiving accurate representation in the education system.

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