In a tearful address, Senator Jones unsuccessfully urged his colleagues to narrow the bill's language to say instruction should not be "intended to change a student's sexual orientation or gender identity". Parents would be able to sue districts over violations. The bill states: "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." "Whether you disagree with the messaging or not, when it comes to people calling it the 'don't Say Gay' bill … it hurts people." Senator Shevrin Jones, a Democrat who became the first openly gay member of the Florida Senate in 2018, said it would be "another stain on the history of Florida". He added that it: "Sends a terrible message to our youth that there is something wrong with LGBTQIA+ people, that there is something so dangerous or inappropriate about us that we have to be prohibited and censored from the classroom." "This bill, from its introduction, has been used as a vehicle to marginalise and attack LGBTQIA+ people," said Representative Carlos G Smith, a Democrat who is gay
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It has focused increased attention on Florida as Republicans push culture war legislation and Mr DeSantis ascends in the GOP as a potential 2024 presidential candidate.
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Since its inception, the measure has drawn intense opposition from LGBTQIA+ advocates, students, national Democrats, the White House and the entertainment industry. The proposal, which opponents have dubbed the "don't say gay" bill, now moves to the desk of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law.