BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Education officials in South Florida are reacting Tuesday to a lawsuit settlement regarding Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, which now allows students and teachers to be able to speak freely about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.
“Why did it have to get to this? Why did that false narrative even start?” Broward Teacher’s Union President Anna Fusco questioned.
Nearly two years ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights and Education Bill into law, but what critics of the law feared the most was its vague language, which they believe impacted teachers and was victimizing LGBTQ+ students.
So right after the bill went into effect, civil rights groups filed a lawsuit.
“No teacher has ever or will ever go into their school setting – to a classroom setting – and say, ‘Let me teach you how to be gay,’” Fusco said.
Top school officials in Broward County called the settlement a win.
“To be able to professionally develop our teachers, to give the right curriculum, to make sure that we are in line with statutes, and making sure that parents are aware that if they are uncomfortable with it, they have the option to opt out,” Superintendent Peter Licata said.
As part of the settlement, the state clarified language in the law that prohibits classroom curriculum about sexual orientation and gender identity for younger students and determines what is age appropriate for older students.
Maxx Fenning is the executive director of PRISM, a youth-led organization working to expand access to LGBTQ-inclusive education. He called the settlement a win-win situation for teachers and students.
“We are ecstatic about the settlement,” said Fenning. “This also speaks to the idea that we can talk about LGBT topics in the classroom. That’s still a key component of history. That’s still a key component of our society.”
The language does make clear now that the law does not prohibit discussion, conversation, references or counseling for and about gay students, as well as references in literature and even school projects.
“As long as teachers have a peace of mind, I think everything would run pretty smoothly,” one Broward student told Local 10 News.
In a statement, DeSantis called the settlement a major win, adding “We are victorious, and Florida’s classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights Education Act.”
Democratic State Senator Shevrin Jones called the settlement a landmark moment, saying in part, “Classrooms and schools ought to be safe spaces that promote empathy, compassion, and belonging - not fear and uncertainty.”
“Freedom of speech -- you should be able to talk about whatever you want, so yes, I feel like that’s good,” one student said.
Read the settlement below: