'Don't Say Gay' Law

The appointment of Jacob Oliva, senior chancellor at the Florida Dept. of Education, suggests Arkansas may try to emulate the sunshine state's education agenda.

The law bars instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo suggests extending the law to include additional grades.

Senior Chancellor Jacob Oliva said Hillsborough County is planning a full review of all policies and procedures to ensure compliance.

The State Board of Education will meet Wednesday to examine LGBTQ support guides and bathroom policies for transgender students in 10 school districts — including Hillsborough County — to make sure they comply with state law.

Republican attorneys general of 14 states sought approval to file a brief supporting Florida in a fight about the new law. Democratic attorneys general from 15 states and the District of Columbia filed a brief supporting the bill’s challengers.

Rep. Joe Harding, 35, illegally obtained or tried to obtain pandemic aid loans, according to federal prosecutors.

An NPR analysis finds that over the past two years, state lawmakers introduced more than 300 bills targeting trans people. Most of this legislation, 86%, takes aim at the rights of trans youth.

Teachers and administrators, already facing long hours and low pay, now find themselves under pressure from politicians, parents and even their own school districts.

Students, parents, and teachers have filed a revised lawsuit seeking to block a new Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The lawsuit in Orlando named as defendants several central Florida school boards charged with implementing the law, which critics have dubbed "Don't Say Gay."

If the bill were to become law, it could affect not only schools but also programs, events and literature at any federally funded institution. But its prospects are dim for now.

Some characterized it as a way to provide transparency and others say it is potentially harmful to LGBTQ students.