Equality Florida has launched the first of two television ads highlighting the disastrous impacts of Governor Ron DeSantis’ legislative agenda that threatens to turn Florida into a surveillance state & give the government broad license to censor conversations about American history, the origins of racism & injustice & the existence of LGBTQ people. The 30-second ads depict school life in the wake of the bills aimed at muzzling teachers & erasing LGBTQ families. Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director stated, “Not since the days of Anita Bryant have we seen such craven attempts by a leader to build political power by targeting & demonizing LGBTQ people. Governor DeSantis is pushing legislation to curb free speech, propagandize school curriculums & monitor classroom conversations, private workplaces & doctor’s offices -- all in order to outflank Donald Trump to the right & build an onramp to run for President in 2024. As a parent of a 10 year-old, these bills fail to protect my child & our family. It is a tool for the state to censor & that encourages lawsuits against schools as a means of intimidation.” The Don’t Say Gay bill (HB1557/SB1834) & the Stop WOKE Act (HB7/SB148) are being fast tracked through the legislature, despite overwhelming opposition from the state’s largest parents group the PTA, child welfare & medical experts & from educators who warn of the chilling effect & chaotic implications of the broadly written bills. Each bill would censor speech in classrooms across the state, effectively erasing large swaths of American history & society while designed to fuel the governor’s political ambitions, both bills will have profound impacts on LGBTQ people. WATCH
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