Woke Wars Episode 3: Why is Florida so obsessed with gender and sexuality? | Opinion
The Florida Legislature is once again going after sexuality and gender issues during the annual session.
Drag shows, the use of preferred pronouns in classrooms, expanding the ban on talking about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, gender-affirming care for minors — all are targets of lawmakers as they seek to hand Gov. Ron DeSantis a series of culture-war wins before he announces his presumed run for the presidency.
In this episode of “Woke Wars,” the Miami Herald opinion team discusses the real and dangerous consequences of the state’s actions, often couched as issues of “parental rights” — but only if those parents agree with DeSantis.
Florida’s governor has repeatedly reframed feelings of discontent or occasional concern and made them crises that must be addressed. It’s a tactic that his mentor, former President Donald Trump, used to his advantage and DeSantis has honed into a formidable political weapon.
It’s also a tactic that marginalizes vulnerable groups of people, including the trans community.
Are lawmakers responding to real or imagined threats? Are the crackdowns on businesses that offer drag shows where children might be in the audience a misplaced effort to control what parents can’t control: What their children are exposed to on the internet and the world at large? We’ll discuss those questions on “Woke Wars.”
Woke Wars, a weekly opinion podcast by the Miami Herald Editorial Board, explores the culture wars that are dominating the Florida Legislature. Listen to new episodes every Thursday on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. Have a question? Want to share some feedback? Email heralded@miamiherald.com with the subject line WOKE WARS.
Read more perspectives on Florida’s culture wars here:
▪ Send us your woke, your trans — Florida’s youth yearning to breathe free | Opinion
This story was originally published March 23, 2023 at 5:00 AM.