Florida’s So-Called ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ Passes

 

Recently @henryracette expressed his outrage as did I, about the transgender movement in separate posts. We hope that all citizens who care about the future of our children and our country will take a stand against this sickening and destructive movement. We also highly recommend your reading Abigail Shrier’s book, Irreversible Damage. Her research shines a light on the calamitous damage this movement is committing. Fortunately, the Florida legislature with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken a stand to protect our kids and has drawn the ire and condemnation of those who support the LGBTQ+ and transgender movement.

Meanwhile, let me tell you about the Florida bill which has passed and awaits the governor’s signature. Here is the first part of the bill, called the Parental Rights in Education Bill minus the common pejorative wording:

Requiring district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with certain provisions of law for notifying a student’s parent of specified information; requiring such procedures to reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children in a specified manner; prohibiting the procedures from prohibiting a parent from accessing certain records; providing construction*; prohibiting a school district from adopting procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying a parent about specified information or that encourage or have the effect of encouraging a  student to withhold from a parent such information; prohibiting school district personnel from discouraging or prohibiting parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being; providing construction; prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner.

In other words, schools are prohibited from brainwashing young children about transgenderism, must provide parents access to school records about their children, must notify parents about students’ discussions of, or exposure to, information on gender and sexual identity, notify the parents about critical decisions about students’ mental and physical health, and are prohibited from having classroom discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity at certain grade levels. Frankly, I see no reason to have the topics included at all, right through high school.

The legislation was specifically designed to stop the conversion of students who may be suffering from gender dysphoria or gender confusion, and to ensure that parents are the ones making decisions about their children’s education and wellbeing. In addition, in some schools, parents are not being notified about these conditions in their children, and a conversion takes place without consulting the parents. My distress over these occurrences knows no bounds.

The battles with the schools and government officials are finally getting the attention they deserve. Clearly, there are some officials who think they know what is best for the children and refuse to relinquish control to parents who are the only ones who have a legitimate say about what our children are taught, when they are taught it, and their emotional and physical wellbeing. Apparently, the government, teachers’ unions, and the schools think their judgment is superior to the parents’, and they are willing to fight for control.

If parents believe the law is violated, the law provides recourse:

Parents who are unhappy about what their child is being taught in school on those subjects will have three options to bring a complaint:

▪ They may bring the concern to the district for resolution.

▪ If the district does not resolve their concern, they can have the matter reviewed by the State Board of Education.

▪ Or they can hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit against the public school district.

In my opinion, the arguments against the law are red herrings. Here’s the comment from POTUS:

President Biden slammed it as a ‘hateful’ attack on gay kids last month.

Biden doubled-down on this idea that the bill was bigoted by retweeting an earlier post from the White House that read: ‘Today, conservative politicians in Florida advanced legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids. Instead of making growing up harder for young people, @POTUS is focused on keeping schools open and supporting students’ mental health.’

And the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardoza spoke out:

The Department of Education has made clear that all schools receiving federal funding must follow federal civil rights law, including Title IX’s protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We stand with our LGBTQ+ students in Florida and across the country and urge Florida leaders to make sure all their students are protected and supported.

Others protest that the requirements are not spelled out, but the law provides for creating clarity. And if you read the bill in its entirety, the language is balanced and clear.

If President Biden and all his supporters of this legislation really wanted to help these kids, they’d get them psychological counseling, not doom them to a life of unhappiness and confusion.

*providing construction appears to provide the means for clarifying the requirements

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  1. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Susan, as usual the Babylon Bee is there first.  Pedophiles, Gays and Democrats Upset with Gov. Santis’ signing bill  to protect 5 year olds. Sorry, don’t know how to link. 

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I’ll see if I can find it, navyjag. Thanks!

    • #2
  3. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Susan, as usual the Babylon Bee is there first. Pedophiles, Gays and Democrats Upset with Gov. Santis’ signing bill to protect 5 year olds. Sorry, don’t know how to link.

    Here it is

     

     

    • #3
  4. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Here you go:

     

    • #4
  5. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    I’d like to give a nod to Florida’s Republican office-holders for doing this. There is a growing gulf between those who would empower parents whose children attend our public schools, and those who side with an ever more insular and secretive public education establishment that seeks to foist its own radical agenda on children without the consent or knowledge of their parents.

    This is one of those areas where the difference between Republican and Democrat is plain and worth noting.

    • #5
  6. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Keeping my fingers crossed that it sticks but I expect that a judge will shut it down shortly.

    • #6
  7. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Keeping my fingers crossed that it sticks but I expect that a judge will shut it down shortly.

    I’m sure that judge at a strip-mall in Hawaii (as Dennis Miller used to say it) would, but I’m pretty sure they don’t have jurisdiction in Florida.

    • #7
  8. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Coincidentally, Instapundit today linked an interesting article about the mainstream media efforts to declare “trans” “science” “settled.” (I’m going to run out of scare quotes if I keep writing about this topic.)

    The Studies Cited to Support Gender-Bending Kids Are Largely Junk Science.

    • #8
  9. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    Henry Racette (View Comment): Coincidentally, Instapundit today linked an interesting article about the mainstream media efforts to declare “trans” “science” “settled.” (I’m going to run out of scare quotes if I keep writing about this topic.)

    The Studies Cited to Support Gender-Bending Kids Are Largely Junk Science.

    Even in principle, this isn’t a controversy science can “settle.” Let’s suppose scientists find some kind of biological underpinning for gender dysphoria — say, a gene. All this proves is that there’s a biological underpinning for gender dysphoria, just as there might be a biological underpinning for anorexia or schizophrenia or chronic anxiety. It doesn’t prove that the man who fancies himself a woman is a woman. That’s a metaphysical question, not a scientific one.

    • #9
  10. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    • #10
  11. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment): Coincidentally, Instapundit today linked an interesting article about the mainstream media efforts to declare “trans” “science” “settled.” (I’m going to run out of scare quotes if I keep writing about this topic.)

    The Studies Cited to Support Gender-Bending Kids Are Largely Junk Science.

    Even in principle, this isn’t a controversy science can “settle.” Let’s suppose scientists find some kind of biological underpinning for gender dysphoria — say, a gene. All this proves is that there’s a biological underpinning for gender dysphoria, just as there might be a biological underpinning for anorexia or schizophrenia or chronic anxiety. It doesn’t prove that the man who fancies himself a woman is a woman. That’s a metaphysical question, not a scientific one.

    Yes. The point of the linked article is that claims that “science” “proves” that gender “reassignment” has positive outcomes are based on shoddy research. This is another case where science is being misrepresented and abused to further a public policy goal.

    • #11
  12. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    Tell him if he doesn’t like the bill, then simply move Disney World elsewhere!

    • #12
  13. Terri Mauro Inactive
    Terri Mauro
    @TerriMauro

    Susan Quinn: Apparently, the government, teachers’ unions and the schools think their judgment is superior to the parents’, and they are willing to fight for control.

    Hoo-boy, do they ever. I advocated two kids through 12 years of special education and can’t count the number of times it was made clear to me by learned professionals that they  knew everything about my specific kids and I knew nothing. Worst was the time a school psychologist told me to “Listen to the teacher, who knows your child,” when my child had been in that teacher’s classroom for … two months. They did threaten to take me to court once over a disagreement, but some law or policy changed right after and so they grudgingly went along with what I wanted, while making every attempt at sabotage.

    My feeling was always that these people were going to be in my kids’ lives for a year or two, and by the time these decisions played out they’d be long gone, and I’d be the one picking up the pieces. So I’d at least like it to be the repercussions of my own mistakes I was dealing with, not those of someone I can only shake my fist at through time in impotent rage.

    Today’s woke educators can feel all good about themselves and bask in the approval of celebrities and politicians and journalists, but they have absolutely no accountability in the long run. (I was going to say “skin in the game,” but that felt kind of creepy given the curriculum.) Parents have to get mad, get involved, and get control, or get ready to clean up somebody else’s mess down the line. I wish them luck.

    • #13
  14. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Keeping my fingers crossed that it sticks but I expect that a judge will shut it down shortly.

    Not necessarily; we have many conservative judges here.

    • #14
  15. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Kephalithos (View Comment):
    Let’s suppose scientists find some kind of biological underpinning for gender dysphoria — say, a gene.

    There is at least some agreement that gender dysphoria exists in boys, at a very early age, and they grow out of it. Unlike the latest stats that say it shows up in mixed-up teen-age girls.

    • #15
  16. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Terri Mauro (View Comment):
    Hoo-boy, do they ever. I advocated two kids through 12 years of special education and can’t count the number of times it was made clear to me by learned professionals that they  knew everything about my specific kids and I knew nothing.

    I can’t imagine fighting these kinds of wars when one’s own kids are at stake. It is so tragic, especially for the kids, in any battle with those powers who think they know better. Good for you, Terri!

    • #16
  17. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Can still remember the priests telling HS senior boys to stay away from sex as it wasn’t time for that yet. Nuns telling the gals the same thing. Now kindergarten teachers telling the kids to dive in.  

    • #17
  18. Buckpasser Member
    Buckpasser
    @Buckpasser

    Stad (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    Tell him if he doesn’t like the bill, then simply move Disney World elsewhere!

    Why is Disney weighing in on this?  What does this bill have to do with Disney?

    • #18
  19. DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax)
    @DonG

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Kephalithos (View Comment):
    Let’s suppose scientists find some kind of biological underpinning for gender dysphoria — say, a gene.

    There is at least some agreement that gender dysphoria exists in boys, at a very early age, and they grow out of it. Unlike the latest stats that say it shows up in mixed-up teen-age girls.

    Teen age girls are idiots and easily swayed by fads to feel special.  Female teen angst is one of the most powerful forces in the universe.  I don’t believe in genes that only express themselves for a certain decade in certain country. 

    • #19
  20. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Buckpasser (View Comment):
    Why is Disney weighing in on this?  What does this bill have to do with Disney?

    I didn’t read the whole article (I was so steamed) but originally they were going to stay out of the politics. But the Left came after him and he caved. I’m disgusted. Fortunately I’ve only been to the park once in 15 years, and now I’m unlikely to go back. (It’s not my kind of place.)

    • #20
  21. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Buckpasser (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    Tell him if he doesn’t like the bill, then simply move Disney World elsewhere!

    Why is Disney weighing in on this? What does this bill have to do with Disney?

    Disney World in FL employs a pretty significant number of gays.

    • #21
  22. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Buckpasser (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    Tell him if he doesn’t like the bill, then simply move Disney World elsewhere!

    Why is Disney weighing in on this? What does this bill have to do with Disney?

    Disney World in FL employs a pretty significant number of gays.

    I’m going to guess, as well, that the young-and-slavishly-conforming demographic is critical to Disney, and Disney panders to that demographic’s self-righteous wokeness by being self-righteously woke itself.

    • #22
  23. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    Henry Racette (View Comment): I’m going to guess, as well, that the young-and-slavishly-conforming demographic is critical to Disney, and Disney panders to that demographic’s self-righteous wokeness by being self-righteously woke itself.

    Also, Disney is literally in the fantasy business. Of course Disney is going to throw its support behind woke causes: It plays a part in generating them.

    • #23
  24. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment): I’m going to guess, as well, that the young-and-slavishly-conforming demographic is critical to Disney, and Disney panders to that demographic’s self-righteous wokeness by being self-righteously woke itself.

    Also, Disney is literally in the fantasy business. Of course Disney is going to throw its support behind woke causes: It plays a part in generating them.

    Disney specializes in shallow but heavy-handed emotional manipulation. Right now, no advocacy group is doing that better than the trans crowd.

    • #24
  25. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    I hate anti-gay bigotry. Hated it since I was 13. But I got older and smarter and I realized that quite often, people don’t say what they mean. Communists fifty years ago high-jacked some parts of the civil rights movement and convinced some black-Americans that Communism was against racism.

    Radicals who disbelieve in human nature and hate traditional religion and family are piggybacking and the entirely noble desire to be nice to homosexuals and be respectful to gay kids in order to advance a rolling sexual revolution.

    • #25
  26. Columbo Inactive
    Columbo
    @Columbo

    VERY telling that the opponents to the bill cannot debate it on merits or it’s actual language/purpose. They are forced to recharacterize what it is through distortion and false coverage. Exaggeration and overreaction is an overused tactic of the Left and its Woke agenda. People are starting to get immune to their crying wolf tactics. Hopefully, this battle in Florida is the beginning of a wave of pushback against this nonsense.

    • #26
  27. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Columbo (View Comment):

    VERY telling that the opponents to the bill cannot debate it on merits or it’s actual language/purpose. They are forced to recharacterize what it is through distortion and false coverage. Exaggeration and overreaction is an overused tactic of the Left and its Woke agenda. People are starting to get immune to their crying wolf tactics. Hopefully, this battle in Florida is the beginning of a wave of pushback against this nonsense.

    Sure hope so.  But a lot of people still think De Santis is hiding huge piles of corpses from his happy-reaper covid handling.

    • #27
  28. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Columbo (View Comment):

    VERY telling that the opponents to the bill cannot debate it on merits or it’s actual language/purpose. They are forced to recharacterize what it is through distortion and false coverage. Exaggeration and overreaction is an overused tactic of the Left and its Woke agenda. People are starting to get immune to their crying wolf tactics. Hopefully, this battle in Florida is the beginning of a wave of pushback against this nonsense.

    I wonder how many people actually believe that the bill makes it illegal to say “gay” ?

    • #28
  29. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Coincidentally, Instapundit today linked an interesting article about the mainstream media efforts to declare “trans” “science” “settled.” (I’m going to run out of scare quotes if I keep writing about this topic.)

    The Studies Cited to Support Gender-Bending Kids Are Largely Junk Science.

    By their standards it is.

    • #29
  30. Eustace C. Scrubb Member
    Eustace C. Scrubb
    @EustaceCScrubb

    Stad (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Reportedly Disney CEO lobbied Gov DeSantis to veto the bill. How can we send a message to Disney to stay out of the culture wars?

    Tell him if he doesn’t like the bill, then simply move Disney World elsewhere!

    People will flock to Disney Delaware!

    • #30
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