Anne Geggis
A bill that would more closely regulate pronoun use in public schools and strengthen the public’s right to challenge library books is taking one step closer to becoming law.
Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough’s bill (SB 1320), was swapped out. The Senate instead adopted the House version of the bill (HB 1069) and prepared it for final passage. It could be voted on as soon as Wednesday.
“The bill seeks to protect parental rights and prevent the indoctrination of children in schools,” Yarborough said. Referring to the use of certain pronouns that don’t correspond to the person’s “sex” as defined by reproductive function, hormones and genitalia at birth, Yarborough said, “The bill also protects students and teachers from being required to use language that violates our personal convictions.”
The bill is seen as an expansion of last year’s legislation (HB 1557), called the Parental Rights in Education Act. Critics have labeled it the “Don’t Say Gay” law because of the way it prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity. This one has been dubbed, “Don’t Say They” because it more tightly restricts the use of pronouns.
The bill is one of many that targets instruction in primary, secondary and higher education as Gov. Ron DeSantis has sought to end what he calls “indoctrination” shaping young minds. Critics, however, say the bills seek to erase the LGBTQ experience, forcing people back into the closet.
“This should be called the Parental Bill of Rights for Those Who Agree with the Governor,” Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky of Boca Raton observed.
If the bill becomes law, it would:
— Regulate the use of pronouns that do not correspond to the “sex” of a student, teacher or employee as defined by naturally occurring hormones and genitalia at birth.
— Mandate instruction that gender is determined by biology and reproductive function at birth — an immutable, unchanging characteristic.
— Allow the objection of one person to restrict access to library materials for all the students where the objection is occurring while the material undergoes review.
The prohibition on instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity has been somewhat superseded recently. The state Board of Education passed rules that prohibit that instruction in grades PreK-12.
Senate Democrats mounted a number of attempts at amending the bill. They tried to limit those who can object to books to parents with children in the school.
“This practice has been abused by individuals that have no stake in the game,” Polsky said. “There are so many rabble rousers who are just coming in to make a stink and maybe they have something against a School Board member.”
But Yarborough said that amendment would ignore that all residents in a county have an interest in public education.
Another amendment tried to keep objections to specific books from having the material pulled for the entire school. Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville proposed that an objection would mean the material is kept from the objector’s child, not the whole school.
“This amendment centers on the rights of parents who do not want their kids’ education subjected to the whims of any person … who wants to file a frivolous objection,” Davis said, recalling an incident that pulled an elementary-level book on baseball great Roberto Clemente from the shelves.
The amendment failed.
Questioning grew testy at times, particularly over the definition of “sexual orientation,” with Democrats raising questions about how sexual orientation could not be discussed when explaining basic health education, such as how venereal diseases are transmitted.
Others focused on the overall aim of the bill.
“What is the government’s interest in regulating the use of pronouns?” Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart asked.
Yarborough replied: “We’re making sure that parents are at the forefront, that there’s transparency in what’s going on in our public schools.”
5 comments
David Pakman
May 2, 2023 at 4:36 pm
The neo nazis and religious whackos are at it again. The right wing police state is an abomination to civilization.
Rob Desantos
May 2, 2023 at 4:45 pm
More intrusive government regulation from the party of supposed “freedoms.” These cowards are literally scared of words – you can practically see the fear dripping off of Yarborough onto his cheap suits.
Bill Pollard
May 2, 2023 at 7:26 pm
At some point these laws will be found to be unconstitutional. It may take time, but it will happen.
Michael K
May 2, 2023 at 8:47 pm
Next up: A single parent can stop the production of high school musicals – in addition to banning books, in addition to firing school superintendents, in addition to getting teachers fired.
What’s left of the Republican Party is off the rails dangerously insane.
James Mejuto
May 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm
The American fascist, disantos wants ‘transparency’ by allowing a single person to object and stop the education process but what about the majority who want their kids to read books, discuss science and attend sex-education classes? You mean to tell me the entire school years K-12 will have no instruction regarding sex! My, this ought to make for some great families !
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