Board of Ed to Expand Rule Banning Talks on Sexual Orientation through 12th Grade

The Florida Board of Education is seeking to expand a portion of the Parental Rights in Education law — which in part prevents classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade — via a rule which would expand such through grade 12.

DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill, House Bill (HB) 1557, into law on March 28, 2022. The bill covers range of topics related to parental rights. For example, it ensures that parents will be notified by schools of any healthcare services offered at the school and ensures that questionnaires or health screenings given to children in K-3 are reviewed by parents first. Parental permission is required for the school to administer such questionnaires or screenings.  Further, the law, which has been falsely labeled “Don’t Say Gay” by critics despite the fact that it does not ban a word or phrase or even contain the word “gay,” prohibits classroom discussions on sexual orientation or gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade. (Excerpt from Breitbart.)