Florida teens and their families, along with advocacy groups, have sued to block a law that restricts classroom discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity, NBC News reported.
The Parental Rights in Education law—dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by LGBTQ advocates and which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in March—bans instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity “in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” It took effect July 1.
The suit argues that the law’s “vigilante enforcement mechanism,” combined with its “intentionally vague and sweeping scope, invites parents who oppose any acknowledgement whatsoever of the existence of LGBTQ+ people to sue, resulting in schools acting aggressively to silence students, parents, and school personnel.”
The complaint named four county school boards—Orange, Indian River, Duval and Palm Beach—as defendants.
Tracy Pierce, chief of marketing and public relations for Duval County Public Schools, emailed that the district “will always take steps necessary to comply with Florida laws.”