Settlement in its lawsuit over its Parental Rights and Education
Act.
The law went into effect nearly two years ago and
was dubbed by critics as Don't Say gay law for
its rules on sexual orientation and gender identity in the
classroom. News channel is Annie Mapp Joins Us live in
downtown Tampa this afternoon.
Now, Annie, what does the settlement entail?
Josh The settlement allows teachers and students to talk about
sexual orientation,
but it cannot be a part of classroom instruction.
These are things that we didn't have before.
Equality Florida, which was part of the lawsuit against the
state's Parental Rights and Education Act,
is pleased with the decision.
It's not just that LGBTQ students and teachers can say
gay and say trans in our public schools.
They can also be gay and be trans.
Without fear of being erased,
the office of Governor Ron DeSantis also considers it a
win.
They see their goal is to protect children.
From Radical gender and Sexual Ideologies General Counsel Ryan Newman
saying,
quote we are victorious in Florida's classrooms will remain a
safe place under the Parental Rights and Education Act.
End Quote. The eight page long agreement clarifies the law's
language,
stating that references about LGBTQ people are not restricted in
literature,
class discussions, students, academic work or its review.
It also doesn't prevent teachers from giving lessons about stopping
bullying.
Based on gender or sexual orientation.
Nor does it require the removal of LGBTQ safe space
stickers.
However, the settlement does state that classroom instruction must remain
neutral on all sexual orientation and gender identity topics.
Some of the things that the DeSantis administration agreed to
as part of the settlement to adopt as education policy
in the state of Florida are things that we would
seek from Democratic governors and Democratic administrations.
These are real wins, real victories,
real critical protections.
And the Florida Department of Education is now required to
provide a copy of this agreement to all 67 school
districts in the state,
reporting live in Tampa Annie Mapp,
8 On Your side.