Plain English with Derek Thompson What Is the “Don’t Say Gay” Law Really About? (Plus: The Big Disney vs. DeSantis Showdown in Florida.)
Mar 29, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Dana Goldstein, a New York Times education reporter, and Matt Belloni, co-founder of Puck News, delve into Florida's controversial 'Don’t Say Gay' law. Goldstein breaks down the law’s implications for LGBTQ+ discussions in schools, highlighting its potential chilling effects on educators. Belloni discusses the heated cultural clash at Disney, detailing how the company grapples with employee discontent and the pressures of corporate accountability in the face of rising activism. Their insights reveal the ongoing tension between social issues and corporate strategies.
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Breakdown of "Don't Say Gay"
- The "Don't Say Gay" bill prohibits K-3 instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- It mandates that discussions in other grades are "developmentally appropriate."
Vagueness as a Tactic
- The bill's vagueness may be intentional.
- Its lack of clear definitions could create a chilling effect on teachers.
Overreach of the Bill
- The bill's broad language could impact even casual mentions of sexual orientation.
- A teacher mentioning their spouse could theoretically be grounds for legal action.