GLAAD RESPONDS TO FLORIDA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPANDING “DON’T SAY LGBTQ” THROUGH GRADE 12

GLAAD: “This move unfortunately further cements Florida’s growing reputation as a state led by extremists obsessed with censorship, book bans and other targeting of LGBTQ people. “Don’t Say LGBTQ” has already had a disastrous chilling effect on Florida classrooms, now Florida wants to expand and encourage that silencing and harassment to all grades. LGBTQ people, students, teachers and families are here to stay. They deserve safe places to learn and work. Florida deserves better than politicians who refuse to recognize that discrimination is bad for human beings, for business, and for their state’s future.”

(Wednesday, April 19, 2023) GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to the Florida Department of Education’s expansion of the state’s “Don’t Say LGBTQ” policy to include students through twelfth grade.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded below and on Twitter:

“This move unfortunately further cements Florida’s growing reputation as a state led by extremists obsessed with censorship, book bans and other targeting of LGBTQ people. “Don’t Say LGBTQ” has already had a disastrous chilling effect on Florida classrooms, now Florida wants to expand and encourage that silencing and harassment to all grades. LGBTQ people, students, teachers and families are here to stay. They deserve safe places to learn and work. Florida deserves better than politicians who refuse to recognize that discrimination is bad for human beings, for business, and for their state’s future.”

Additional research:

• GLAAD and Equality Florida have been tracking Gov. Ron Desantis’ policies, rhetoric and actions targeting LGBTQ people via the GLAAD Accountability Project.
• An estimated 4.6% of Floridians are LGBTQ and 24% of LGBTQ people in Florida are raising children. 30% of LGBTQ people are Latinx/Latine, 12% are Black.