SPLC Action Fund Vows to Stand with Florida’s LGBTQ Community

TALLAHASSEE — Today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Don’t Say Gay bill into law. The legislation prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and states that any instruction on those topics can’t occur “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

The following statement is from Scott McCoy, interim deputy legal director with Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund:

“We are very disappointed, though not at all surprised, that Gov. Ron DeSantis followed through on his promise to sign such a despicable and harmful bill into law. This law isn’t about protecting parental rights, nor will it benefit students. It is all about trying to erase LGBTQ people and families that the governor was elected to protect through a discriminatory, mean-spirited law.

“The DeSantis administration, with help from the Florida House and Senate, are methodically working to roll back the LGBTQ community’s rights. The Southern Poverty Law Center will continue to stand up for the rights of LGBTQ people and families, and we are considering all of our options to make sure this terrible law does not stand.”