Don't Say Gay?

[GMDino]

(03-30-2022, 03:01 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Again, the word "Gay" is not mentioned anywhere in this bill. It simply says sex should not be taught in K-3, and lessons after that need to be age appropriate. If someone has a problem with that, I wonder about that person.

(03-30-2022, 03:03 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: Sexual orientation, not sex.

What do you think sexual orientation is?

Yep.

Quote:CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION Lines 97-101: “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 in accordance with state standards.” 

This is the most controversial section of the new law and, although it does not address instruction on sexual activity, it specifically prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure also does not define “age appropriate” but makes sure that in the early grades, where sex education is not taught, teachers will also not teach about gender identity. 

Department of Education Secretary Richard Corcoran said Monday that his agency will determine the age appropriateness by establishing standards, curriculum and professional development “so that people have that clear understanding.” He said that “teachers are supportive, but they want guardrails.” The law gives the agency until June 30, 2023, to write those guidelines. 

DeSantis said he believes that most teachers do not try to pursue “some type of ideological agenda,” but he said the push for gender inclusion instruction is often a “directive from on high” from “very politicized members of school boards.” 

Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, said the law “is intended to be applied uniformly across the state” as local school districts apply standards set by the Department of Education “and implement it within their local bodies.” 

But this is the provision that gives opponents the most concern because they believe its vague wording will prompt teachers to self-censor and avoid using words like “gay” and other gender-inclusive terms in their classrooms, no matter the grade. 

“We know that teachers are not teaching sex ed in K through three grades but a lot of teachers are attempting to discuss inclusive families, particularly when they have kids in their classroom who have same-sex parents or have transgender parents,’’ said Ryan Thorsen, a researcher at Human Rights Watch who has studied Florida’s legislation. “This would really hamstring their ability to do that, particularly in K-3, and potentially silence discussions in other grades, depending on how teachers interpret the bill.”

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article259861220.html#storylink=cpy