Sexual orientation, gender ID can be talked about in Florida classrooms under lawsuit settlement

By MIKE SCHNEIDER
Associated Press

Students and teachers will be able to speak freely about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction.

That’s according to a settlement reached between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged a state law which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”

The settlement reached Monday clarifies what is allowed in Florida classrooms following passage two years ago of the law prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.

Opponents said the law had created confusion about whether teachers could identity themselves as LGBTQ.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office described the settlement as a win since the law remains intact.