Sexual Orientation

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.

It would extend the prohibition on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity through eighth grade.

It came at the start of the 2023 legislative session, in which the Republican supermajority is expected to rubber stamp much of DeSantis' agenda.

A parents' rights activist, a Christian nationalist and three lawyer donors now have control over Walt Disney World's development capabilities, thanks to a bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Under the bill filed by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity would apply through the eighth grade.

Plaintiffs needed to show harm traced to the law that could be remedied by a favorable decision. The judge said most of the claims of harm come from the existence of the law, rather than enforcement.

The legislation will allow DeSantis to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services it provides in Disney's sprawling properties in Florida.

Proposals announced by DeSantis include a Teachers Bill of Rights, limits on unions, and partisan school board races. He also defended the state's cancellation of a Black studies AP course.

Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat, says the proposed course "wasn't indoctrination, it wasn't ideology, it was facts." He fears blocking it will harm students in Florida and beyond.

Florida rejected an Advancement Placement course on African American studies, saying it's "filled with" critical race theory. But scholars who helped create the course say it's not in lesson plans.

The district will require students to use bathrooms that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate. Advocates say that harms transgender, non-binary and intersex students.

The State Board of Education will meet Wednesday to examine LGBTQ support guides and bathroom policies for transgender students in 10 school districts — including Hillsborough County — to make sure they comply with state law.