Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
So-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools
Gretchen Robinson, a lesbian high school teacher in Orange County, Florida, poses for a photo at the downtown library, Saturday, August 13, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Educators are cautiously making changes as they wait to see how the new law governing lessons on gender and sexual orientation will be interpreted and enforced. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Latest News
August 15, 2022

So-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) — Some Florida schools have moved library books and debated changing textbooks in response to a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay”.

As students return from summer break, educators are cautiously adjusting and waiting to see how the new law governing lessons on gender and sexual orientation will be interpreted and enforced.

The new law, championed by Florida’s GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. Most educators do not expect a major change in lesson plans — one of the key reasons critics cited in saying the law was unnecessary was that teachers do not cover such subjects in early grades anyway.

But some worry it sets a tone that will leave LGBTQ teachers and kids feeling ostracised.

The law attracted widespread attention and condemnation earlier this year when it worked its way through the Republican-controlled Statehouse. Critics dubbed it “Don’t Say Gay,” though it contains no bans on specific phrases and doesn’t bar material on sexual orientation considered age-appropriate for grades 4 and above.

Opponents say the law would stifle classroom discussion, arguing that it doesn’t clarify what could be deemed inappropriate. It also establishes an enforcement mechanism that invites parents to file lawsuits against districts, potentially heightening tensions between conservatives and school officials.

The Florida debate reflects one that is playing out nationwide, with fights in school boards and state legislatures over what and how children learn about race, gender, sexual orientation and American history. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued parents should be the ones in control of teaching their children about sexual orientation and gender identity.

The law has been at the heart of a discussion over sex education materials in Miami-Dade County, which has the state’s largest school system. Some school board members said new textbooks showed pictures of condoms, diaphragms and intrauterine devices that were too graphic for middle school students.

When school officials sought the board’s approval for the new textbooks in April, after the law had passed, administrators said they would remove chapters that cover gender identity and sexuality. The board members approved the online textbooks, but then reversed their decision last month after coming under public pressure. The board reversed itself again last week to adopt the textbooks without the chapters on gender identity and sexuality.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Tivoli rally to hold Mt Pleasant
Latest News, Sports
Tivoli rally to hold Mt Pleasant
March 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —  Tivoli Gardens rallied to hold Mount Pleasant FA to a 1-1 draw in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) second round rescheduled gam...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
VPA , Sandals Foundation celebrate young peacemakers at Chalky Hill Primary
Latest News, News
VPA , Sandals Foundation celebrate young peacemakers at Chalky Hill Primary
March 4, 2026
ST ANN, Jamaica – Some 50 students at Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School have been donned  Irie Stars Peacemakers  following a collaborative initia...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Week.day, Imotionz score viral hit with ‘Pretty’
Entertainment, Latest News
Week.day, Imotionz score viral hit with ‘Pretty’
BY KEDIESHA PERRY Observer writer 
March 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Popular dancehall producer Week.day has another viral track on his hands. This time, it’s  Pretty  by recording artiste Imotionz. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Spouse accused of firing at cop listed as POI by St Elizabeth police
Latest News, News
Spouse accused of firing at cop listed as POI by St Elizabeth police
March 4, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The St Elizabeth police are urging a 44-year-old contractor to turn himself in after he allegedly shot at his partner with her...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Police search for Ocho Rios High schoolboy after classmate injured
Latest News, News
Police search for Ocho Rios High schoolboy after classmate injured
March 4, 2026
ST ANN, Jamaica — Police are searching for an Ocho Rios High School student after his schoolmate was injured during an altercation earlier Wednesday. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
New fintech platform ‘Quatta’ billed to simplify finance market for public
Business, Latest News
New fintech platform ‘Quatta’ billed to simplify finance market for public
March 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Described as a command hub for personal finances, a new fintech app, dubbed Quatta and structured on a 90-day turnaround is hittin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
KPH urges participation at World Kidney Day blood drive and health fair
Latest News, News
KPH urges participation at World Kidney Day blood drive and health fair
March 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —  The Kingston Public Hospital has announced it will host a health fair and blood drive next Thursday, March 12, in observance of W...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US authorises American Airlines subsidiary to operate flights to Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
US authorises American Airlines subsidiary to operate flights to Venezuela
March 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) Department of Transportation on Wednesday authorised an American Airlines (AA) subsidiary to ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct