Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Takes Effect

Promulgated last March, it has already been talked about a lot. House Bill 1557, dubbed “don’t say gay” by its opponents, comes into effect on July 1. In Florida, it is now illegal to teach subjects related to sexual orientation or gender identity in elementary school. The text applies from kindergarten to 8 or 9 year olds.

Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the law last March, saying “it’s up to parents to talk about these issues with their kids.” Many teachers, parents and activists at the Orange County Public Schools Board in Orlando oppose the law.

According to the founder of the association LGBTQ + association “One Orlando”, Josh Bell, the ambitions of governor Ron DeSantis are elsewhere. “Our governor has always bet on extremist ideas: he tries to position himself for the presidency by seducing Trump’s electorate. The more extreme you are, the more votes you get, and he uses the LGBTQ community as a political target, ”explains the activist to Radio France.

A few days after the judgment of the law “Roe v. Wade” giving states the freedom to ban abortions, so starting this Friday it will also be forbidden to talk about your sexuality in Florida schools.