January 1, Florida House Passes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ and ‘Stop WOKE’ Bills

The Florida GOP scored two major wins after House lawmakers passed the “Stop WOKE Act” and controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The “Stop WOKE Act,” HB7, seeks to ban classroom discussion and corporate trainings that make students or workers feel uncomfortable about their race.

HB1557, better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, would limit classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, allowing parents to sue schools or teachers that engage in such topics.

Versions of both bills are also advancing in the Senate.

DeSantis wants to fully read the measures before possibly signing but has indicated his support.

DeSantis’ press secretary Christina Pushaw said he’s supportive of “parents’ rights and transparency in education.”

“Normalizing the practice of schools hiding information about a child from their parents is dangerous,” Pushaw said.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls issued a statement, saying: “Today, Florida is one step closer to ensuring that our schools and workplaces are spaces where we can have healthy instruction and conversation about race and diversity without losing sight that we are first and foremost individuals.”

But Florida Democrats say the bills are a coordinated effort to censor classroom dialogue about racism, gender, and discrimination.

“Today is a very dark day in Florida’s history,” Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) said after the vote.

“We did everything we could but today was a day when politics won over policy. Politics won over people.”

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Florida House passes “Don’t Say Gay” and “Stop WOKE” bills