Ron DeSantis could expand 'Don't Say Gay' law to 6th grade trends now
Governor Ron DeSantis could consider expanding Florida's law barring public school education of gender identity up to the sixth grade – from the current third grade level.
The controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, which was signed by the Florida governor in March 2022, prevents the teaching or 'classroom instruction' of gender identity or sexual orientation in children between kindergarten and third grade.
But a staffer for Florida's Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told DailyMail.com that the state's legislature is considering expanding the provisions of the law to include fourth, fifth and sixth graders, as well.
DeSantis spokesperson said the Florida governor is open to the legislation expansion.
'The governor would certainly consider the merits of such a bill in final form if it comes to his desk as a product of the forthcoming legislation session,' DeSantis Press Secretary Bryan Griffin told DailyMail.com.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is open to considering expanding Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act to the sixth grade from the current third grade cap
He specifically pointed to DeSantis frequently saying: 'The purpose of our education system is to educate kids, not indoctrinate kids.'
Opponents of DeSantis' landmark Parental Rights in Education Act dubbed it the 'don't say gay law'.
They argue that the act discourages healthy discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom.
Passidomo's office insists, however, that the law is only applicable to official course work and does not prevent students from having these conversations amongst themselves.
Middle school, which can sometimes include sixth grade in certain public school districts, is usually around the age where students begin learning sexual education and health as part of their official curriculum.
Passidomo said during a press availability on December 15 that she is looking at having the law include three more grades than originally included in the legislation – but said she wouldn't want to expand to high school because kids that age are 'more mature.'
Florida's Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said last month that the state's legislature is considering expanding the law to include three more grades
'The one thing that I think could be looked at is, you know, we ended it at grades one through three. I don't think I'd be supportive of high school because
