. @SenJanetCruz files an amendment to protect safe spaces for LGBTQ students.
It fails.
Sen. @FarmerForFLSen files an amendment to eliminate the "Don't Say Gay" provision in the bill, removing the line targeting "sexual orientation and gender identity".
Sen. @dennisbaxley says that's the most important part of the bill.
The amendment fails.
Sen. @TinaPolsky points out that while @GovRonDeSantis claims this bill is about sex education -- that's not what the bill says at all.
She also calls out the bigoted insinuations by the Governor's office that anyone opposing the bill is a pedophile.
Sen. @ShevrinJones files an amendment to replace a ban on classroom instruction on LGBTQ people with a ban on classroom efforts to *change* someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Now Sen. @ShevrinJones is brought to tears sharing his powerful story of being a queer, Black man in FL. How much he sacrificed in order to be himself, including friendships.
He begs his colleagues to open their hearts & vote with compassion. "Do no harm."
His amendment fails.
. @LeaderBookFL files an amendment to clarify what "classroom instruction" means. Supporters of the bill regularly say this bill is limited to "curriculum", but that is not the definition of "instruction". Leader Book's amendment would clarify.
It fails.
. @senpizzo files an amendment to remove the portion of the bill that allows parents to sue the school district.
It fails.
Sen. @loriberman offers an amendment to create resources for parents on how best to talk to their children about sexual orientation or gender identity at home.
It fails.
We're on to questions on the bill -- unamended.
Sen. @TinaPolsky : We've talked a lot about K-3. But the "or age appropriate" section extends it to ALL grades, correct?
Sen. @VicTorres_FL : Do you believe teaching about LGBTQ people is dangerous?
Sen. @dennisbaxley refuses to answer. "I don't think it's important what I believe."
He has equated LGBTQ parents to "drunks" and "drug abusers" in the past.
. @SenAudrey2eet : If a student, as instructed by the school, brings in a family tree project and says, "I have two mommies" -- what is a teacher supposed to say?
Sen. @dennisbaxley invokes Russia, accusing schools of "social engineering" children.
In fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed his country's own "Don't Say Gay" bill in 2013.
. @LeaderBookFL : State education standards ask me to instruct on families of yesterday vs. families of today. If families of today can mean two mommies or two daddies -- will that invoke a lawsuit?
. @SenJanetCruz : We have been teaching kids for I don't know how long. Why now? How does a teacher prove that conversations about LGBTQ people are "organic" and not anything she instructed? Are we prepared for what's coming?
. @senpizzo : Senator Baxley, can you define gender identity?
Sen. @dennisbaxley : I don't have a prepared answer.
Sen. @dennisbaxley : I'm not interested in being cross-examined.
Sen. @dennisbaxley : My understanding of sexual orientation is "man or woman".
. @senpizzo : Can anyone define grooming for me? Because I learned yesterday from @GovRonDeSantis ' office that if I don't support this bill, I must be in favor of grooming.
. @SenAudrey2eet : If the concern is topics that are "not appropriate" for children, why are sexual orientation and gender identity singled out and no other topics included?
Sen. @TinaPolsky : Why is drug use not a "sensitive" topic in this bill? Why not life & death? Why only sexual orientation & gender identity?
Sen. @dennisbaxley says it's because there's a "wave" of students "trying on new identities" because they're being engineered to.
And with that, questions and amendments conclude.
The Don't Say Gay bill, in its original, unamended form, will be up for debate and a final vote on the Senate floor next.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
BREAKING: The FL Board of Education has adopted a sweeping set of rules that target the LGBTQ community and advance the Governor's war on academic freedom.
The rules introduce punishment for transgender students and staff who access restrooms that align with their gender identity, expand anti-LGBTQ censorship efforts to extracurricular activities, impose new barriers to students having their names and pronouns respected in school...
...and limit the ability to teach accurate and honest Black history and LGBTQ-inclusive history.
This politically-motivated war on parents, students, and educators needs to stop.
BREAKING: Today, we took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state.
As an organization that has spent decades working to improve FL’s reputation as a welcoming, inclusive place to live work & visit, it's with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it's safe to travel to or remain in FL as laws strip away basic rights & freedoms.
While losing conferences & top students who have written off FL threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes & moving because school censorship, book bans & health care restrictions have made...
Lots moving today. The Bathroom Ban & assault on drag shows are in the Senate Rules Committee now. The bill to expand Don't Say LGBTQ through 8th grade is on the House floor at 11a. And the 6wk Abortion Ban is in its final House committee now & on the Senate floor later today.
We'll keep you updated throughout the day.
This morning, we were joined by parents and educators outside the House chambers to speak out against this onslaught of hateful legislation. Check out that press conference here:
SB 254, the bill to criminalize medical care for trans youth, end telehealth access for medical care for all trans Floridians, and let courts dissolve custody agreements in favor of an unsupportive parent is being heard in its final Senate Committee now.
Sen. @ShevrinJones is filing a Suicide Prevention amendment fashioned after language adopted in West Virginia, which would allow access to care for young people at severe, immediate risk of suicidality.
Sen. @loriberman : This amendment addresses a group whose lives are in danger. We can make their lives better.
HB 1421, the Trans Ban, is up in the House Healthcare Regulation Committee. It would criminalize care for trans youth, attack insurance coverage, end telehealth as an option for care, and revoke the rights of trans people to be recognized by the state via birth certificate.
Chair @VoteRandyFine , the bill's sponsor, has officially filed the amendment that would, among other things, threaten health care providers with jail time and upend custody agreements in favor of an unsupportive parent.