Biden Administration Condemns Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Legislation

[left-of-center2012]

President Joe Biden’s administration has issued a strong statement against the “don’t say gay” legislation pending in Florida. Bills that have been introduced in the Florida House and Senate state, “A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”

With a statement from a White House spokesperson Tuesday, the Biden administration placed itself squarely in the opposition camp.

“Every parent hopes that our leaders will ensure their children’s safety, protection, and freedom,” the spokesperson said. “Today, conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need support the most — LGBTQI+ students, who are already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves. But make no mistake — this is not an isolated action. Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be. This is politics at its worse, cynically using our students as pawns in political warfare. At every step of the way, Republicans have peddled in cheap, political attacks, instead of focusing on the issues parents, students, and teachers care about.

“Instead of making growing up even harder for our young people, President Biden and his administration are focused on keeping schools open, providing resources to combat learning loss, and supporting students’ mental health. The difference in leadership could not be more stark, and the Biden-Harris administration will not shy away from holding leaders accountable for dangerous actions that hurt our nation’s students.

“Just imagine what it would feel like to be a kid watching the leaders in your state bully you through legislation that tries to erase your existence. These types of attacks are the root cause of the mental health crisis that LGBTQI+ face. The president wants LGBTQI+ young people who may be feeling scared or alone because of these legislative attacks to know that they are loved exactly for who they are, and that he won’t stop fighting for the protections and safety they deserve.”

Chasten Buttigieg, a former teacher who is married to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, has spoken out against the bills as well, as have several other LGBTQ+ leaders.

https://www.advocate.com/politics/2022/2/08/biden-administration-condemns-floridas-dont-say-gay-legislation