LGBTQ advocates sue over Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer students and their parents are unsure about whether they can express or discuss their identities, and they worry about the consequences if they do, according to a complaint filed in Florida.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights and the New York-based firm Kaplan Hecker & Fink had brought the lawsuit on behalf of Equality Florida and Family Equality, as well as parties in local schools. The defendants are the Florida Department of Education, the state Board of Education, and various local school boards.

The bill violates the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution and federal Title IX rules, signaling an extraordinary government intrusion on the free speech and equal protection rights in public schools, according to lawyers for the group.

In the complaint, the attorneys argue that the legislation is vague and that nobody knows what it means.

Attorneys wrote in the complaint that the law stigmatizes and silences vulnerable students, and also threatens school officials who foster a safe and inclusive environment for them.

The bill prohibits teachers from teaching about gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through third grade. Unless they are age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate, the lessons are banned for older students.

If there is a change in services for a student or any additional monitoring for their mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, the legislation requires schools to notify parents.

At a press conference on Thursday in West Palm Beach, DeSantis said they would defend this vigorously.

Taryn Fenske said in a statement that the lawsuit was to undermine parental rights in Florida.

The legality of parents to protect their young children from sexual content in Florida public schools will be defended.

Republicans say the legislation is needed to protect the rights of parents.

State Republicans have been steadfast in their support of the parental rights bill, fighting with Democrats and Disney over its opposition. The California-based corporation halted political donations to Florida and at least two GOP lawmakers pledged to return their campaign contributions. Disney employs tens of thousands of workers in Florida and has a flagship amusement part.

Disney's posturing has made a lot of people angry. During a separate press conference about 30 minutes outside of Jacksonville, DeSantis said that the political influence they are used to welding has dissipated.

This report was contributed to by Matt Dixon.