LGBT rights

Over the objections of Democrats Florida’s Republican-led legislature is expanding the state’s parental rights laws to allow them greater say over school library books and classroom materials. The proposal also places more restrictions on how sex education is taught and discussed in state schools. The measure is an outgrowth of Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law.

The Florida Board of Education has approved a new rule that says schools “Shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades 4 through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is expressly required by state academic standards.” The rule extends an already existing ban on such instruction.

Governor Ron DeSantis and fellow Republican leaders are promising there’s more to come in an ongoing fight with Disney.

Shannon Callahan said the bill will create a traumatic and confusing entry into 5th grade for her transgender son who she said is proud, but private about his gender identity.

Later this week, a Florida Board of Medicine rule that bans gender affirming care, such as puberty blockers, for most transgender kids goes into effect. Monday, a bill that codifies those rules got its first committee hearing.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a policy requiring a transgender high-school student to use a gender-neutral, single-stall bathroom or a girls bathroom did not violate his constitutional equal-protection rights.

Florida’s new restrictions on discussions of race, diversity, and LGBTQ issues in classrooms have some teachers and school districts worried that partisan politics are seeping over into schools. Critics of those new policies say they’re contributing to a massive increase in teacher vacancies.

A new school year is just weeks away and Florida is missing thousands of teachers. Plus, new laws have changed what some teachers can teach, and how they teach.

Leon’s School Board has approved a new LGBTQ guide after more than four hours of public comment.