Democratic politicians condemned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing a controversial parental rights bill on Monday.
President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona were among those criticizing DeSantis for signing the Parental Rights in Education law.
The law had been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics, who decried its provision barring classroom instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.
DESANTIS SIGNS INTO LAW CONTROVERSIAL GENDER IDEOLOGY EDUCATION BILL
In a tweet, Biden declared that “every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in the classroom” and “our LGBTQI+ youth deserve to be affirmed and accepted just as they are.”
“My Administration will continue to fight for dignity and opportunity for every student and family — in Florida and around the country,” the president said in the tweet.
Every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in the classroom. Our LGBTQI+ youth deserve to be affirmed and accepted just as they are. My Administration will continue to fight for dignity and opportunity for every student and family — in Florida and around the country.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 28, 2022
Cardona was far more forceful, calling out DeSantis by name, and accused the governor of hiding behind parental rights.
“By signing this bill, Gov. DeSantis has chosen to target some of Florida’s most vulnerable students and families, all while under the guise of ‘parents’ rights.’” Cardona said in a statement. “Make no mistake: this is a part of a disturbing and dangerous trend across the country of legislation targeting LGBTQI+ students, educators, and individuals.”
Cardona said that the Department of Education would be monitoring the implementation of the law “to evaluate whether it violates federal civil rights law,” while encouraging students who believe they are being discriminated against to file a complaint with the department’s Office for Civil Rights.
“Instead of telling some students or families it’s not okay to be who they are, our Department is fighting for dignity and opportunity for every student and family,” Cardona said.
Pelosi likewise condemned the new law as “cruel legislation” that was “an affront to our Nation’s cherished values.”
“[DeSantis] and Florida Republicans have chosen to needlessly bully, isolate and demean LGBTQ students,” Pelosi said in a tweet.
I am deeply moved by the thousands of students who have spoken up and walked out to protest this bigoted legislation.@HouseDemocrats proudly stand with them, and we will continue fighting to enact long overdue protections for LGBTQ Americans – starting with the #EqualityAct.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 28, 2022
The speaker also took the opportunity to call for the passage of the Equality Act, saying House Democrats “will continue fighting to enact long overdue protections for LGBTQ Americans.”
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The newly signed Florida law takes effect in July and will allow parents to sue schools that keep information related to student well-being from parents.
