“He is willing to inflict harm on the most vulnerable in FL in order to shore up his extremist base.” “His political agenda is driven not by the real pressing needs of our state,” the group tweeted. The advocacy group Equality Florida condemned DeSantis’ seeming endorsement of the bill, arguing that he “is using anti-LGBTQ legislation as a springboard to serve national political ambitions.” “The larger issue with all of this is parents must have a seat at the table when it comes to what’s going on in their schools,” he said. Ron DeSantis made a similar argument, telling reporters that it is “entirely inappropriate” for teachers to be having conversations with students about gender identity. (He did not address the discrepancy between “informing” parents and an outright ban on LGBTQ instruction.) In an interview with TIME, Harding says he thinks the bill’s critics are “absolutely misinformed on what exactly the bill does.” He argues that it aims to keep parents aware of instances in which sexual orientation and gender orientation are being discussed with their children. Read more: Kid of the Year Finalist Kai Shappley, 11, Takes on Lawmakers in Her Fight for Trans Rights “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community-especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill-to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” Biden tweeted Tuesday evening. Its passage could have devastating mental health impacts on LGBTQ students in the state, they argue. But critics say the bill is a dangerous, discriminatory attempt by Republican lawmakers to stir political support amid a broader climate of increasing politicization of LGBTQ rights and heightened scrutiny of what subjects children are taught in schools-and what they are not. Joe Harding, a Republican who introduced the bill into the state House, tells TIME the intention of the bill is to keep parents “in the know and involved on what’s going on” with their child’s education. The proposed law, often referred to by critics as “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, bans public school districts from “encouraging” classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity. On Tuesday night, President Joe Biden took to Twitter to condemn a controversial bill that’s swiftly moving through the Florida legislature.
Credit - Mike Stocker-Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service/Getty Images Supporters gather for a Safe Schools South Florida & Friends rally to push back against Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors, Fla. Supporters gather for a Safe Schools South Florida & Friends rally to push back against Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB 1557/SB 1834) at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors, Fla.