Biden, Florida officials and Disney blast DeSantis’ signing of ‘don’t say gay’ bill
President Joe Biden, several Florida politicians and Disney took to Twitter on Monday to condemn Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, dubbed by critics as “don’t say gay.”
The bill prohibits instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade — and potentially restricts it for older kids.
Biden said every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in the classroom.
“Our LGBTQI+ youth deserve to be affirmed and accepted just as they are,” he said. “My Administration will continue to fight for dignity and opportunity for every student and family — in Florida and around the country.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried said DeSantis is “using the pain of LGBTQ+ children to achieve his political ambitions.”
“We’re not going to let him get away with it,” she added.
In a political campaign email sent Monday, Fried criticized DeSantis for signing the bill into law and asked people to donate to her campaign.
Former Florida governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist said DeSantis “signed his bigoted and homophobic Don’t Say Gay bill.” Crist, who is also running for governor, asked his followers to donate to his political campaign to hold DeSantis “accountable for his bigotry.”
“Today especially, I want our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in Florida and across the country to know that they are loved and will always be welcomed in the Sunshine State,” he said.
Both Fried and Crist are running for the Democratic Party nomination for governor to oppose DeSantis in the November election.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the law “makes entire families and communities feel invisible.”
“It is hateful, harmful, and has no place in our state,” she said. “To every LGBTQ Floridian — especially our children — Miami-Dade has your back, and our community will continue to protect you.”
State Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat, said the “Parental Rights in Education” bill is “another stain” on Florida history.
“The party of “less government” is becoming the party of authoritarianism and censorship,” he added. “To every LGBTQ child, parent, and ally — we see you, we love you, and the fight has just begun.”
Walt Disney Co. also denounced the bill via Twitter, saying the measure should have never been passed by the Legislature and signed into law.
“Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts,” the company said.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 7:09 PM.
