DeSantis picked a fight with the LGBTQ community that went national, and could reverberate

Sarasota Herald-Tribune | By Zac Anderson | March 24, 2022

It’s a debate that has roped in Disney, prompted a skit on Saturday Night Live and even compelled Luke Sykwalker to weigh in.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis knows how to get people talking, and usually is the one steering the conversation to favorable political ground. That’s been a tougher task with HB 1557, legislation formally known as the Parental Rights in Education act but labeled by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

DeSantis is poised to sign the bill into law. The roiling political debate generated by the legislation is certain to continue after the ink dries on the governor’s signature, though.

DeSantis and his supporters say they welcome the fight, but there are signs the governor is not as sure-footed on this issue. Polling on the bill has been mixed. 

DeSantis has been remarkably adept at turning hot-button debates about COVID-19 public health policy to his advantage. Taking on LGBTQ rights activists may be a different story.

The governor and his supporters seem especially upset about how successful critics of HB 1557 have been in branding the bill with the “Don’t Say Gay” catchphrase. They are pushing back hard against that label, noting the words don’t appear in the bill.

DeSantis has slammed what he calls “false narratives” about the legislation. This week he said critics of the bill are “in favor of injecting sexual instruction to 5-, 6- and 7-year-old kids.” 

The governor’s spokeswoman, Christina Pushaw, also has kept up a constant stream of criticism about media coverage of the bill, while taking aim at the legislation’s critics.

Pushaw said anyone who opposes the bill is “probably a groomer,” a term for people who prey on children and one that outraged LGBTQ activists.

The legislation states that: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” 

DeSantis says the bill simply is about ensuring sensitive conversations are handled by families, not school staff.

Critics worry that the bill is vague enough to have a chilling effect on students even talking about their LGBTQ families in school.

“While the words don’t say gay don’t explicitly appear in the bill, as a gay parent I’m concerned that it’s deliberately vague language leaves room for it to be interpreted that way,” said television host Andy Cohen. “Like if my son went to school and talked about his gay dad during class and the teacher engaged, under your vague, hateful law that could be considered illegal?”