It’s About Elementary School Curriculum: In Florida, The “Don’t Say Like Me” Law Is Enforced

It’s about elementary school curricula
Florida Now Has a “Don’t Say Like Me” Law

03/29/2022 10:54 AM

Florida Republicans Ban Teachers From Another Issue. Sexual orientation and gender identity is now a taboo after the state Senate passed anti-racism legislation in February. Governor DeSantis is very pleased.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has passed a controversial law banning the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools. “We will ensure that parents can send their children to school for education, not indoctrination,” the Republican said before signing the law.

Opposition Democrats and representatives of the LGBTQ community slammed the law, calling it “Don’t Say Like Me.” After the previous Senate decision, Democratic Education Secretary Miguel Cardona criticized the law as based on “hate and discrimination.”

The law, passed by the state legislature three weeks ago, affects children from kindergarten through third grade. Teaching sexual orientation and gender identity “in a manner that is inappropriate for the age or development of students” is prohibited. According to critics, this wording makes it possible to apply the law to older children.

Making schools less safe for children

Republicans object that the bill merely prohibits the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in official curricula. Teachers can continue to talk spontaneously about the topic when the children ask about it.

Equality Florida, which campaigns for LGBTQ rights, has criticized DeSantis for signing the law. Doing so, the organization said, “has damaged our state’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place for all families, making us a laughing stock and a target of nationwide mockery.” “And worst of all, it has made schools less safe for children.”

Florida Republicans have been struggling for months to give parents a greater say in what their children learn in school. In addition to sexual orientation, it is also about dealing with racism. In February, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban the teaching of racism issues in the formal school curriculum.