Does Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law — aka the “Don’t Say Gay” law — violate First Amendment, due-process and equal-protection rights?
To paraphrase a bunch of unhappy Floridians: Abso-eff-ing-lutely. Now they’d like a federal judge to halt school districts from enforcing the law, which prohibits teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in grades K-3, and bans any such discussions deemed “age-inappropriate” for older students as well.
Related: 16 states just turned to Ron DeSantis and said “GAY GAY GAY”
On Friday, a group of Florida teens and their families, along with LGBTQ advocacy groups, requested a preliminary injunction, arguing their constitutional rights are bing violated. The move marks a new chapter in the fight against the law, challenging school districts rather than the DeSantis administration. Politico reports that “nothing has been scheduled as of Monday morning.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
The law’s enforcement rollout has been messy. Since it went into effect on July 1, some schools forced teachers to remove signage indicating a classroom is a “safe space” for LGBTQ students, remove photographs of their same-sex spouses, and even out students to their peers’ parents.
The law also allows parents to sue school districts they believe are violation of the measure.
Related: Ron DeSantis’ latest proposal proves he wants only the worst for Florida students
Attorneys for the group wrote in the motion seeking an injunction that the law “was enacted with the purpose and effect of discriminating against LGBTQ+ students and students with LGBTQ+ family members, subjecting them to differential and adverse treatment, including through an invitation to arbitrary enforcement and a private right of action for hostile parents.”
Florida teen activist Will Larkins and LGBTQ center association CenterLink are among the plaintiffs who initially filed suit against several school boards last month. Orange, Indian River, Duval and Palm Beach counties are named as defendants.
The suit condemns the law’s “vigilante enforcement mechanism,” and its “intentionally vague and sweeping scope, [inviting] parents who oppose any acknowledgement whatsoever of the existence of LGBTQ+ people to sue, resulting in schools acting aggressively to silence students, parents, and school personnel.”
Related: Florida teen warned not to ‘say gay’ during graduation speech finds perfectly shady solution
Attorneys for the plaintiffs cite the case of one non-binary student who reports being bullied over their gender identity “more intensely than ever in the past” and others who say they are “unsure if they can use their own pronouns or if they can report bullying based on their LGBTQ+ identity.”
In March, Lawyers with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the firm of Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP also sued on behalf of Equality Florida and Family Equality as well as students, parents, and a teacher.
WillParkinson
A guy on Twitter told me I obviously didn’t read the bill, because it does none of these things. Sure, honey, keep telling yourself that.
GlobeTrotter
Well, it was only a matter of time before this law got challenged in federal court. While I don’t agree with the law, I do also understand why many parents might be upset when activist teachers introduce gender ideology into third second and grade classrooms. And before I get lynched by an angry queer mob with torches and pitchforks, please remember that there are militant activist teachers out there who have made it their sworn duty to indoctrinate their students as young as possible with what can only be described as extreme gender propaganda.
I’ve seen enough videos on YouTube made by these teachers themselves, in which they describe how they go about indoctrinating second and third graders. One particularly unforgettable video from a trans teacher had this individual explaining to his/her kids that when babies are born, doctors (arbitrarily) “guess” the baby’s gender. Sometimes the doctors get it right, and when they do, the child grows up to be “cisgender”. However when doctors get it wrong, the child grows up to be “transgender”. The teacher then went on to describe their own journey as a transgendered individual, including coming out, gender affirming measures and surgery. The teacher explained that this is the first lesson of every school semester. In another video, another teacher detailed the books she uses for her 1st and 2nd graders. One of these books included a checklist for how to tell if you’re transgender. It asks boys if they ever liked to wear dresses and asks girls if they ever liked to wear pants. At the end of the checklist, the kids are informed if they’re transgender – in the next chapter they proceed to pick out their own pronouns.
These are 7 and 8 year old kids!! Most kids at that age are curious about the opposite sex and it’s completely normal for boys to try out their mom’s shoes and dresses and girls to dress up in their dad’s clothes. I remember my sister and I raiding our mom’s closet when we were young, trying out her shoes, her dresses, her wigs, etc. This is COMPLETELY normal for young kids and does NOT mean they’re transgender! It’s also completely normal for some boys to be effeminate, and some girls to be tomboys. Again, this does NOT mean they’re transgender! 80% of kids will eventually grow out of their infatuation with mimicking the opposite sex, usually during puberty. I was effeminate as a boy, something I completely forgot until I watched some old home movies. I couldn’t believe that was me, I had a high voice and a limp wrist – all of that changed after puberty. Again, completely normal. The problem I have is with activist teachers putting it into kids heads that if they’re effeminate, or a tomboy, or if a boy likes to dress up in his sister’s shoes and try on her make-up, then they must be transgender. Something has to be done to stop activist teachers, who are really just insecure and unhappy with themselves.
JoshGL
Could you post links to those YouTube videos?
Thanks!
olfwob
And after
“And before I get lynched by an angry queer mob with torches and pitchforks”
it got crazy.
No word about american-taliban teacher who indoctrinate kids with their christian believes?
LeBlevsez
GlobeTroller –
Being paid per word these days?
JoshGL
” I was effeminate as a boy, something I completely forgot until I watched some old home movies. ”
Oh, me too!
DarkZephyr
“The problem I have is with activist teachers putting it into kids heads that if they’re effeminate, or a tomboy, or if a boy likes to dress up in his sister’s shoes and try on her make-up, then they must be transgender.”
I would love to know how many of these “activist teachers” there actually are out there and how many of them operate in Florida.
That being said, while “something” may need to be done about it, this pathetic law AND how its being interpreted currently are NOT that something.
white-queer-african
@Globe….WHAT-E-V-E-R!
You clearly have no life. Stop boring us with your rambling!
Cam
@GlobeTrotter
The right wing troll account is REALLY trying with these screenames. It comes and in again, tepidly says something like “While I don’t agree with these bigots…..” It then goes on a 3 paragraph rant defending those bigots.
Sweetie, as always, your trolling is sad and weak.
GlobeTrotter
@JoshGL: They don’t allow you to paste links here, but just do a quick search on YouTube for transgender school teachers and you’ll find tons of videos. What surprises me is how frank and open these activist teachers are about their agenda. You get the impression that they chose to become teachers, not out of a love for teaching kids Math, English and Science, but rather to indoctrinate the next generation. There’s a clear difference between supporting gay rights and causes and forcing an agenda on kids too young to think for themselves. And that goes for ANY agenda, I don’t care whether it’s religion, racism or gender ideology – just let kids be kids!
ZzBomb
“I do also understand why many parents might be upset when activist teachers introduce gender ideology into third second and grade classrooms. And before I get lynched by an angry queer mob with torches and pitchforks, please remember that there are militant activist teachers out there who have made it their sworn duty to indoctrinate their students as young as possible with what can only be described as extreme gender propaganda.”
This is such a flat out lie, it’s not even remotely believable.
Bosch
@Globe
By “indoctrination”, do you mean these teachers are trying to make all the kids identify as trans? Is that what you’re worried about? You think gender identity is learned?
Archbishop763
Very well, name these teachers and link these videos so that we can see this “supposed” evidence of yours. The question then becomes why have you not gone to the police to have them arrested? This “evidence” does not give you or anyone else the right to discriminate against anyone. However, unless there is proof that the majority of teachers in every school district in every state of this country (which there is not) are doing these things, then you have no right to classify LGBT+ children, teachers or parents as second class citizens in this country. You and those like you are always saying things but never provide any proof of what you are saying is true. I have challenged various people like you to put up the evidence or shut up. To date, no one has ever provided proof that their claims are true. Queue Donald Trump, Desantis in Florida, Abbot in Texas, Hawley, Cruz, Graham and so many others. All any of you care about is yourselves. You are trying to turn this country not only into a Facist country but also a religious one (which is baned in the Constitution if you had bothered to actually read it). It will be interesting to see which church’s version of Christianity will take prescedence over the others if you actually were to succeed since there are a number of things that you all don’t agree upon. It is very unlikely, maybe 1 in a trillion, that you might succeed. The more of our rights you try to take away, the more people will join the cause to get rid of you. To answer the question, yes I am an Archbishop and I don’t support those that corrupt or cherry pick the teachings of the church. There is a special place in Hell reserved just for you all right next to your orange Anti-Christ. You do realize that the color of the beast (aka the Anti-Christ) is orange don’t you?
Den
“please remember that there are militant activist teachers out there who have made it their sworn duty to indoctrinate their students as young as possible with what can only be described as extreme gender propaganda.”
Statements like this are laughable unless you define your terms and provide examples. The right wing (you?) feel that even the mention of unconventional families or differences in gender expression is “extreme gender propaganda”, and the right wing (you?) also believe that allowing kids to act in non conforming ways, if that is natural to them, is “indoctrination”.
Schools need to be places where children can express themselves, not be slapped into conformity, as you seem to desire.
Den
It sounds like you saw those supposed videos on “libs of tiktok”, and we all know about their mendacity. Personally, I do not believe you.
barryaksarben
bullshit! you are a troll. you on the rightt act like thousands of teachers are so called “grooming” thousands of children which is JUST NOT SO. Teachers are being maligned and even threatened because of your lies and the lies of others. You obviously don’t know anyone in the teaching profession but I do. Have two sisters who were teachers and three nieces and one nephew with a few aunts and not one of them is or ever was a groomers. Most teachers go into it to educate children not screw them. Just more sick propaganda to keep the sheep on board. Disgusting pos. I am gay and didn’t have a single teacher who groomed me but many who inspired me.Everyone raise your hand if you think you were ever groomed and how many have great memories of a teacher who made a difference.
Invader7
Unlike the hetero men who indoctrinate girls ?
humble charlie
why do i get the impression he’s on the downlow, and the only thing that’s stopping him is 50 pounds?
HeatherRMark
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RickHeathen
I didn’t even understand what being gay meant in second grade, but that never stopped the kids from beginning to bully me. It started with calling me “sissy” and it escalated from there because no one ever told any of us that being gay is normal for some people, and I was bullied for over a decade in school for it. Anyone who thinks these laws are a good thing do not actually care about children. I’m 53 as of this year, and what they did to me all those years ago still has an effect on me. It altered the trajectory of my life in a very negative way.
For anyone who has yet to read it, I have written my autobiography. It’s free for download at Smashwords under my real name Rick Haydn Horst. It’s called “A Problem of Me”. I just hope someone learns something from my experience. It’s also available at Amazon in paperback at cost. I make no money from it. That’s not important to me.
Teddy Ready
To RickHeathen. Sending you a high five hand smack & a virtual hug of support for your brevity & courage to offer encouragement & support to all of the innocent children who will be bullied & driven to consider the unthinkable because of a great big p***y Governor who should be ashamed of himself. Along with many of my fellow straight & gay family members, co-workers, neighbors & friends across political party lines, there is a greater disagreement with this harmful policy that has been put into law. My prayers are for this cruel & disrespectful policy towards humanity in general will be taken off the embarrassing legislative books as soon as possible. This Governor underestimates the intelligence & compassion that most parents have for their kids as well as those kids they choose as friends. No child of mine will ever be permitted to mistreat or harass any other child whether they are a classmate or not. I put more emphasis & importance in teaching my kids manners. I demand them to know when something is either none of their business or when it is okay to intervene to help someone. This bigoted Governor is a poor excuse & example of being a decent role model to kids & young adults of all ages.
barryaksarben
ExCTLY, IF THEY WANT PEOPLE TO STOP SAYING “GAY” START WITH THE BULLIES. I was bullied not only by kids but by some teachers and administration and esp coaches. But they will never bother with what is the REAL crime of schools
Cam
Republicans are rac-ists, sexists, bigots, …anything to do with hate they embrace.
Man About Town
I doubt if there are any teachers on the planet, including in Florida, who would identify as “activists.”
Mack
I agree. They want to help kids and yes that does include the ones who are LGBTQ, unlike those racists and bigots who run the states of FloriDAH and TexASS.
ZzBomb
Pretty much anyone who treats others with decency, humanity and respect the far right will call “activists.” Just look at Globetrotter’s diatribe.
GlobeTrotter
What does telling 7 and 8 year old kids that doctors “guess” their gender at birth have to do with “decency, humanity and respect”? These are just little KIDS, they’re not there to learn about gender ideology, but how to read and do math!
Bosch
@Globe
“They’re not here to learn about gender ideology”
Children are absolutely at school to learn about the society they live in. You know what happens when kids learn about gays and trans people in a respectable manner? They grow up to treat gays and trans people with respect.
The horror!!
GlobeTrotter
@Bosch: As usual, you’re evading the question and reframing the narrative into a topic that no one has a problem with. I believe that everyone deserves respect, regardless of age, sexuality, gender, nationality, etc. The question before us, however, is: What does telling 7 and 8 year old kids that doctors “guess” their gender at birth have to do with decency, humanity and respect?
Bosch
Why is “guess” in quotes? Doctors will assume that your gender matches your sex, and this is not always the case.
Respect requires understanding, no? And understanding comes from knowledge.
You seem to be under the impression that its harmful for children to have this information, as if it’s sexual or shameful.
They are going to learn about trans people one way or another, 7 year olds aren’t blind and deaf. You would prefer they are taught inaccuracies by transphobes, so they can be trained to discriminate? Or would you prefer they type “trans” in a search engine and see where it takes them?
Who do you think you’re protecting? The children?
Bosch
And I don’t know how bad your school was, but I had social studies and humanities in second grade. If you can’t read by second grade, you’re in the wrong grade.
Den
“What does telling 7 and 8 year old kids that doctors “guess” their gender at birth have to do with “decency, humanity and respect”?”
I suspect you are either being disingenuous in service to a right wing fear and hate based agenda, agenda; or are simply not canny enough to parse the media you look at (and thus, like so much of the right, are easily manipulated). And kids of 7 and 8 are in school to learn a lot more than “reading and math”.
barryaksarben
Globy you are full of shit. There you have been groomed. Go cry to MY gov snowflake
James
GLOBETROTTER MORON, GET LOST.
YOU ARE A COMPLETE HOMOPHOBE PUSHING AN ANTI GAY AGENDA, AND LYING TO CONFUSE PEOPLE BY SAYING YOU ARE GAY.
YOU ARE SICK.
Fahd
It’s outrageous that the parents have a private right of action. You’re going to have pro se racist bigots suing school districts because “something” a teacher said and then the school district has to pay an attorney to deal with it and guess where the money comes from to pay for that litigation? As if the children in Florida weren’t already receiving an underfunded, sh*tty education.
What is going on in Florida has to be challenged, and I’m glad these groups are working on it!
Thad
What, pray tell, might be wrong with transgender teachers’ “agenda”? Tolerance? Respect? Empathy?
Bring on THESE family values. Convincing non-trans kids that they are trans seems as difficult and pointless as converting straight kids to homosexuality.
Bosch
“Tolerance? Respect? Empathy?”
That’s exactly what these people are afraid of; it’s so much harder to turn a decent child into a bigot.
Diplomat
Most people hate the they them pronouns pounce and MANgirls psychically attacking women by barging into their locker rooms with their dicks hanging out. Maybe a “don’t say they” bill would be more appropriate.
If MANgirls really have a female brain you think they’d get the problem women have with them. But no they keep on pushing. Screw that.
As a gay man I’m tired of being tagged with all this irrational over the top bs I never EVER signed up for.
James
YOU ARE NOT GAY. JUST ANOTHER HOMOPHOBE PRETENDING TO BE GAY SO YOU CAN CONFUSE AND DEFAME GAY PEOPLE.
GET LOST CREEP.
James
THEN GET LOST. NOBODY WILL MISS YOU.
Diplomat
Trans and non binary are not gay people. Silly twit.
James
RON DE SATANIS IS ADOLPH HITLER.
Invader7
Cult leader…He has those HItlerian tightly wound , beady pupils.. He’s heinous and deluded. Not evil..He’s not smart enough.
emsaenz1701
Ron DeSantis is a facist he is no better than Freg Abbott DeSantis rails against gay people such is wrong while Abbott plays the immigrant card. They both oppose women’s right to abortion they think they’re doing great yet support trump who we know is a liar thief and is a vile fat individual. I was going to move tho the keys but not anymore I will not live under a dictator
emsaenz1701
A homophobic racist wanna a be dictator vote him out