DeSantis signs controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1557, the controversial bill nicknamed “Don’t Say Gay” on Monday.It happened during a press conference in Spring Hill.Signs reading “protect children, support parents” were held.DeSantis held up multiple “found in Florida” transgender educational materials, asserting that parents do not want their children exposed to this kind of information. “We’ve seen libraries that have clearly inappropriate pornographic materials for very young kids, and we’ve seen services that were given to students without the consent or even knowledge of their parents across the country, and unfortunately, that’s happened here in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.He said six school districts in Florida — Broward, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia — had policies that cut parents out of decisions regarding their child.The governor said the bill has been slanted by left-wing activists.”Overwhelming, parents oppose injecting this kind of materials into their kids,” he said. DeSantis also said many in Hollywood oppose the bill.”If the people who held Harvey Weinstein up oppose us on parents’ rights, I wear that like a badge of honor,” he said. “I’m not backing down.” DeSantis said he will make sure Floridians know their kids are getting an education, not an “indoctrination” in school.”We insist that parents have a right to be involved,” he said. January Littlejohn, introduced as a licensed mental health counselor and stay-at-home mom, thanked DeSantis for his support of parental rights. She said her daughter had a closed meeting at her school in 2020 in which officials asked her what bathroom she wanted to use. Littlejohn said her daughter’s school created a “gender non-conforming plan” without her parents’ knowledge. She said her daughter was referred to by a different name while in class.”It sent the message that she needed to be protected from us, not by us,” Littlejohn said.Disney reacted to the governor signing the bill, writing:”Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law. Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that. We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.” What is ‘Don’t Say Gay’?The controversial bill nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” would ban teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3. It also empowers parents by adding that those topics cannot be taught in a way that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students according to state standards.A parent could sue a district for violations.The proposal is officially called the Parental Rights in Education bill. Supporters have said the goal is to empower parents.”I want to encourage parents across Florida to own it. They’re your kids,” Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley said.Democratic Sen. Shevrin “Shev” Jones is the first LGBTQ+ person elected to the Florida Senate in the state’s history. He has voiced his opposition.”This will be another stain on the history of Florida,” he said.Parents like Tatiana Quiroga worry about what this legislation will mean for their families.”As a lesbian Latina who’s a parent of two kiddos in Seminole County Public Schools, it’s pretty devastating, to be honest with you,” she said. “They’re not going to be able to talk about their two moms. We’re a typical family just like any other.”Bill creates controversy at DisneyDisney’s CEO finally took a stance against the bill after an outcry from employees.”I called Gov. DeSantis this morning to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to unfairly target LGBTQ kids and families.” Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Company CEO said.DeSantis fired back: “In Florida, our policies are going to be based on the interests of Florida citizens, not on the musing of woke corporations.”“You have companies, like Disney, that are going to say and criticize parents’ rights and criticize the fact that we don’t want transgenderism in kindergarten and first grade classrooms,” DeSantis said. “If that’s the hill that they are going to die on, then how do they possibly explain lining their pockets with their relationship from the Communist Party of China.”LGBTQ+ Disney employees made a plan to protest the company’s response to the controversial Florida bill known nationally as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, though it’s unclear how many ended up participating. Walt Disney World released a statement on social media: “To ALL who come to this happy place, welcome. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products is committed to creating experiences that support family values for every family, and will not stand for discrimination in any form. We oppose any legislation that infringes on basic human rights, and stand in solidarity and support our LGBTQIA+ Cast, Crew, and Imagineers and fans who make their voices heard today and every day,” the post reads. New billboards encourage people to ‘Say Gay’On Monday, a new billboard went on display in Orlando that encourages people to ‘Say Gay.’ The electronic sign can be seen on Alafaya Trail off East Colonial Drive. It is a project spearheaded by the left-leaning Southern Progress PAC that promotes progressive policies through legislation. “It’s ok to say gay. It’s more than ok. It’s encouraged,” said Ally Sammarco. Sammarco is a volunteer with the project.”We want to make it very clear that it’s ok to talk about who you are and where you come from and no one can stop you from doing that,” Sammarco said. There are billboards in Tallahassee and Jacksonville as well. Sammarco said another one is going up in Miami this week. “A bill like this looks maybe innocent in nature, but it’s not. And it’s going to have very deadly consequences for kids, especially young kids of the LGBTQ community,” Sammarco said. The new law takes effect on July 1st.