On Tuesday, Florida Representative Joe Harding withdrew an amendment that would have required schools to tell parents if students were a different orientation other than straight.
HB 1557 has been heavily criticized since its introduction, and lawmakers amended the bill several times before it arrived on the House floor. We also have a responsibility to ensure that parents have the means to vindicate their rights when it comes to enforcing state standards." "We won't allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other. "In Florida we are taking a stand against the state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory," Governor Ron DeSantis said last year, announcing his support of the bill. The bill and its sponsors says its goal is to "reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children." Supporters of HB 1557 framed the bill as a matter of parents' rights, arguing that discussions around sexuality can negatively affect students' mental and physical health and well-being. As CBS Miami reports, HB 1557 prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, and, in other grade levels, bars discussion that is not "age or developmentally appropriate." It would also allow parents to sue school districts that go against the law. If passed, the legislation would go into effect for the 2022-2023 school year. The Republican-backed bill, which would restrict teachers and school districts from openly discussing gender identity and topics surrounding sexuality in the classroom, passed 69-47 and now moves to the Florida Senate for further debate. Teach them about life and not just the books.Florida's House of Representatives passed HB 1557, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, on Thursday. “They were there to learn what is life like when you do something on your own, and for what this turned into for these vile people is just disgraceful. “The whole thing was very innocent,” Newton said after the meeting. She said Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton, who also met with the investigator, “did a phenomenal job” explaining what the field trip was about.
The investigator “did indicate he did not see any apparent violations of state law or school board policy,” said Lisa Maxwell, who represents Principal Melissa Holtz through the Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association. The office wouldn’t comment on the outcomes, but two attendees said it went well and they’re optimistic.
Rosie’s co-owner John Zieba said Thursday, “We got some really nasty calls and emails, but today, almost every call is so positive.”Ĭomplaints about the field trip led to a visit from a state Department of Education official Friday to see if an investigation is warranted. “Characterizing a lunch field trip by Wilton Manors Elementary School students to this landmark neighborhood restaurant as if it was a trip to a nightclub is an ugly appeal to anti-LGBTQ fear and bigotry.” Rosie’s “is a community institution thriving in the heart of a city with one of the U.S.’s largest LGBTQ populations,” said Joe Saunders, senior political director for Equality Florida, which advocates for LGBTQ rights.