TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House signed off on culture war measures Thursday backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that seek to combat “woke” ideology and limit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
State legislators passed legislation dubbed by opponents the “don’t say gay” bill, along with a bill touted as the Stop Woke Act by DeSantis. The Florida Senate will take up the controversial proposals next.
Seven GOP legislators broke ranks with their party and joined Democrats in opposition of the “don’t say gay” bill, including state Reps. Chip LaMarca of Broward County and Rene Plasencia of Orlando.
The measure, HB 1557, approved in a 69-47 vote, greatly limits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
Specifically, it states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
The “anti-woke” measure, HB 7, bans schools from teaching and businesses from conducting training exercises that state an individual is “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.” It passed in a 74-41 vote.
Supporters said the bills are needed to empower parents in their children’s education and protect students and employees from being made to feel guilty about past historical wrongs they played no part in.
“Our parents do know best,” said state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Fort Myers Republican. “They don’t turn over their rights and they don’t turn over their love for their child when they send their child to school.”
Democratic opponents painted the “anti-woke” proposal as a politically motivated effort to penalize teachers who tell the truth about America’s racist past. They called the “don’t say gay” bill transphobic and homophobic.
State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, said he wore a rainbow ribbon upside down because Florida’s LGBTQ community is in distress.
“The ‘don’t say gay’ bill is called ‘don’t say gay’ because it erases the identities and existence of LGBTQ students, their families and our history,” said Smith, who is gay.
The “anti-woke” bill also would prohibit teachings and training that make people “feel guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress” for past wrongs committed by others of their “race, color, sex or national origin.” It bars teaching that “members of one race, color, sex or national origin are morally superior.”
Supporters said the measure would ensure that children and employees aren’t made to feel guilty for historical events they weren’t personally involved in and that all races are viewed equally.
“It is extremely, extremely important for our children to know our history — the bad parts and the good parts but to know that their lives are not responsible for that history,” said state Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Lecanto Republican.
State Rep. Bryan Avila, the bill’s sponsor, singled out corporate training that he says tells employees to be “less white” and “less privileged” and “less oppressive.” He referenced Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, American Express and other large companies.
Democrats said the bill would discourage teachers from giving honest history lessons and open businesses to lawsuits from employees who feel uncomfortable during diversity training.
“This bill is a joke,” said state Rep. Travaris McCurdy, an Orlando Democrat. “We fight against mask mandates, yet we want to mandate masking history.”
DeSantis, a candidate for reelection this year and widely seen as a presidential contender in 2024, has made culture war issues, such as the teaching of critical race theory, a key part of his election pitch to conservative voters. The House votes came as DeSantis addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando.
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