Bill Maher added his opinion to the discussion surrounding Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, saying it is sensible to say that elementary school children “shouldn’t be thinking about sex at all.”
The comedian’s comment came while reading viewers’ submitted questions during the “Overtime” segment of his Real Time with Bill Maher show Friday.
“I’m glad somebody asked this: ‘Is Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill designed to trap Democrats into saying they support teaching young children about sexuality’ is the question,” Maher read.
Maher discussed the issue with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni and Newsweek’s Batya Ungar-Sargon, noting that the bill does not use the word “gay” but seeks to limit elementary classroom discussion around topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation.
“I guess it’s a reaction to Republicans who feel that there’s too much talk in lower grades,” Maher said. “I think it’s only — they’re talking about kindergarten to third grade. So we’re talking about very young kids who, you know, as always with this stuff, you know this. It’s not like there’s no kernel of truth in that maybe kids that young shouldn’t be thinking about sex at all. I don’t think it’s specific.”
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Bruni suggested the bill has become another culture war.
“I mean, that sounds reasonable on the face of it,” Bruni said. “My main concern, as a gay man who advocates for gay rights, is not that second graders know who Harvey Milk is. That is not the key to LGBTQ equality. But I mean, I also question, I mean, does this really need to be at the top of these politicians’ list?”
Maher agreed, calling it a “wedge issue.”
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On Friday, Disney said it would stop making political donations pending a review, saying the legislation reaches beyond politics and touches human rights. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has apologized for not avidly speaking out against the bill.
“I am committed to this work and to you all and will continue to engage with the LGBTQ+ community so that I can become a better ally,” Chapek wrote in a statement to Disney employees.
Florida’s House passed the bill in late February, with the state Senate approving the legislation on March 8. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the legislation.
