"Don't say gay": Florida approves the controversial law that prohibits talking in class about sexual orientation or gender identity

By Brooke Sopelsa, Tat Bellamy-Walker and Reuters -

The Florida Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that seeks to ban "class discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity" in elementary schools.

The measure, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents, already passed the House of Representatives last month and now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has previously expressed support for him. 

"This is going to jeopardize the safety of our LGBTQ students and teens

," Democratic Sen. Annette Taddeo said during Tuesday's debate.

“We will not stop until this state moves forward and truly values ​​everyone in it, everyone regardless of their sexual orientation,” she added.

[From Banning Books to Proposing 'Don't Say Gay' Law: LGBTQ Kids Feel They Want to 'Wipe Them Out' of Classrooms]

The Parents' Rights in Education bill, which passed both legislative bodies with Republican support and Democratic rejection, has added fuel to America's latest culture war, which puts students in its crosshairs with a combination of book bans, removal of Pride flags, and bills targeting LGBTQ youth.

The move has even caught the attention of international newspapers, Hollywood actors and the White House.

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Supporters of the bill say it's about allowing parents control over their children's education, while opponents say it unfairly targets the LGBTQ community. 

[Biden issues executive order expanding protections to LGBTQ people]

“This bill says that the right of parents to raise their children does not end when they walk into a classroom.

This bill recognizes that parents are not the enemy,” Republican Sen. Danny Burgess said before Tuesday's vote, which saw the bill 22 to 17.

"The bill simply says that there should be an age limit on certain discussions, it is not a new concept, nor is it radical," he added.

The measure prohibits "classroom teaching by school personnel or others about sexual orientation or gender identity" from kindergarten through third grade.

It also prohibits such teaching “in a way that is not age- or developmentally appropriate,” which critics say could be interpreted as extending to all levels of teaching.

Parents can sue school districts.

Protesters gather in front of the Florida Capitol on Monday.Wilfredo Lee / AP

In a speech before the Senate on Monday, Democrat Shevrin Jones, Florida's first openly gay state senator, tearfully urged colleagues to reduce the language of the bill to say that the instruction must not be "intended to change a student's sexual orientation or gender identity.

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“I ask you to open your hearts a little bit,” he

said, pointing to the insults and rejection he has faced as a gay man.

"Please don't hurt me," he pleaded.

But Jones's proposed amendment failed.

Last week, Florida students staged school walkouts to protest the bill, which they denounced as

"The language and the supporters of the bill and the rhetoric around the bill really shows what this bill is, and it's an

," said the senior at the school. Jack Petocz High School.

Petocz, who organized the protests across the state through social media, told NBC News that he

for the rally after the director advised him not to.

The fate of the bill is now in the hands of DeSantis, who signaled his support for the measure for at least the second time when questioned by a reporter Monday. 

"We're going to make sure that parents can send their kids to kindergarten without having some of these things injected into their curriculum," he said.

Federal Education Secretary Miguel Cardona condemned the bill in a statement Tuesday, saying parents expect national, state and district leaders to support students and help them recover from the pandemic by providing academic support and of mental health.

“Instead, Florida leaders are prioritizing hateful bills that hurt some of our most needy students,” Cardona said.

“The Department of Education has made it clear that all schools receiving federal funds must follow federal civil rights law, including Title IX protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

We stand with our LGBTQ+ students in Florida and across the country, and we urge Florida leaders to make sure all of their students are protected and supported,” he noted.

If DeSantis signs the bill, it would take effect July 1.