Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to extend the controversial ban on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity, already in place in elementary schools, to all ages. The corresponding initiative should be voted on in the state education council on April 19, several media reported on Wednesday. It should not be necessary for Parliament to approve the extension of the “Don’t say gay” rule.
DeSantis last year banned teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools. Should his initiative to expand this rule be successful, it must not be taught in the future up to the upper school.
The move drew immediate criticism from both Washington and LGBTQ activists. “Let’s not be fooled. This is part of a worrying and dangerous trend we’re seeing across the country,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre. For its part, the Equality Florida organization said: “That was the goal from the start: general censorship and the banning of books.” DeSantis wants to “feed his presidential ambitions” with his push against the LGBTQ community.
The governor is considered a possible candidate for the 2024 presidential election. If he throws his hat in the ring, he would have to compete against ex-President Donald Trump in the Republican preliminary round. DeSantis is currently considered Trump’s most potentially dangerous rival. He is taking a hard right-wing course in Florida and was re-elected governor in a landslide victory last fall.
