FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022
TALLAHASSEE, FL – On a 69-47 vote, the Florida House of Representatives has passed HB 1557, the dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” bill that blocks teachers from talking about LGBTQ issues or people and undermines existing protections for LGBTQ kids in schools. The Senate version (SB 1834) will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday.
Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the bill’s passage:
“Just when we thought Florida Republicans couldn’t be anymore shameful, their despicable campaign to erase the LGBTQ+ community from public life continues. House passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is the latest in a series of heinous attacks on vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. Republicans don’t seem to care about the harm they are inflicting by using LGBTQ+ youth as political pawns. Our community will hold them accountable for this abuse at the ballot box in November.”
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