DeSantis Signs “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” Bill

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill into law on March 28, effectively banning discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.

The bill, HB 1557, explicitly bans LGBTQ-related rhetoric from kindergarten through third grade — but it also features vague language barring conversations that are not “age appropriate” in schools, raising questions about how far the law could be stretched. The law is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, though it is expected to face legal challenges.

Moreover, the legislation calls for parents are to be notified when students have any changes to their physical, mental, or physical health — which is particularly problematic for students who are not in a position to share such information with their families. The law will also be able to sue school districts for violating it.