Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ Will Force Schools To Out LGBT Students

An amendment added to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” will require schools to out LGBT students to their parents. 

The amendment to Florida House Bill 1557, filed by the Bill’s co-sponsor Representative Joe Harding (R) last Friday, would require schools to out sexually and gender diverse students to their parents within 6 weeks of discovery. 

According to the amendment, “The school principal or his or her designee shall develop a plan, using all available governmental resources, to disclose such information within 6 weeks after the decision to withhold such information from the parent.”

Harm Exemption Removed

The original bill still required disclosure but had an exemption if the disclosure could lead to “abuse, neglect or abandonment.” This exemption was removed in the current amendment. 

Florida Agriculture Commissioner and Candidate for Governor, Nikki Fried (D), tweeted, “This backwards cruelty must stop. Speak out against targeted hate legislation and support those leading the charge to protect civil rights like [Equality Florida] before it’s too late!”

This backwards cruelty must stop.

Speak out against targeted hate legislation and support those leading the charge to protect civil rights like @equalityfl before it’s too late! https://t.co/QaGR5tofPH

— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) February 20, 2022

Brandon Wolf, Equality Florida’s press secretary and a survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, tweeted, 

“I can’t get past this. Maybe [because] it triggers memories of being choke-slammed against the bathroom wall. Having my arm squeezed so tightly, I had to hide the bruises. Being told I was better off taking my own life than being gay.

“Knowingly outing kids to an abuser will cost lives.”

I can’t get past this. Maybe bc it triggers memories of being choke-slammed against the bathroom wall. Having my arm squeezed so tightly, I had to hide the bruises. Being told I was better off taking my own life than being gay.

Knowingly outing kids to an abuser will cost lives. https://t.co/a369i8CZJo

— Brandon Wolf (@bjoewolf) February 21, 2022

This week the Bill, which has the support of Governor Ron DeSantis (R), will be voted on by the Florida House, along with all 14 amendments.

If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.

For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14

For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.