On March 28, 2022, Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act into law for Florida Public Schools (FPSS). This bill will ban the instruction of sexual orientation in grades one through three. This bill is also referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” by its critics.

Supporters of the bill believe that it will give parents the right to decide when and how to introduce the topic of sexual orientation to their children. Parents would also be able to sue the school district if their children were taught sexual orientation without their consent. During a press conference, Governor DeSantis said, “Teaching kindergarten-aged kids they can be whatever [gender] they want is inappropriate.” He then added to that by saying, “It’s not something that’s appropriate for any place, especially not Florida.” Most critics insist that this will hurt the LGBTQAI+ community, especially LGBTQAI+ children.

According to studies done by the Trevor Project, LGBTQAI+ children face higher rates of suicide than other children their age. The “Don’t Say Gay Bill” places more emphasis on discriminating against LGBTQAI+ children and teenagers. By banning the education of sexual orientation, the state of Florida is establishing that education about sexual orientation is wrong. Critics of the bill insist that it will have massive consequences. One of them is the effect on mental health and suicide among LGBTQAI+ teens. This bill may increase the bullying and discrimination of LGBTQAI+ teens and children.

With this bill being signed into law, parents in Florida feel that they have more say in their children’s education.