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A Florida Senate panel on Monday passed an education measure that would prohibit instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.
The bill would require that instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through third grade.
In higher grade levels, the bill would prohibit teaching such concepts in a manner that is “not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students” as determined by state academic standards.
The issue has drawn national attention as critics have labeled it the “don’t say gay” bill.
However, bill sponsor Dennis Baxley says the measure has been mischaracterized by opponents.
“Parents need to be in charge. Students are not wards of the state. Most all of these students belong to families, and we want to recenter that.”
Opponents of the measure, including Democratic Senator Jason Pizzo, feel the bill sends a message that there is something wrong with being LGBTQ.
“When you single out people, there is a deep, deep, deep sense of hate. That is not what we should be legislating.”
Parents would be able to sue school districts for violations of the bill.
The measure, which passed the full House last week, is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.