Florida’s 1st Openly Gay State Senator Speaks Out Against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Democrat Shevrin Jones, Florida’s first openly gay state senator, is speaking out against his state’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill — dubbed by social media users as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — which aims, in part, to restrict the ability for educators to teach children about LGBTQIA+ issues.

On March 7, prior to the bill being passed by both the Florida Senate and House last week, Jones denounced the bill, and in doing so, spoke about his 2018 coming out experience when he was 34.

“I never knew that living my truth would cause church members to leave my dad’s church — or friends to stop talking to me or families to make jokes about who you are,” Jones said — referencing his father, a pastor in South Florida.

In fact, Jones’ father recently published a book in which he expressed “disappointment” about his son’s sexuality.

“After taking 30 years of just wanting to make him and my mom proud. And just coming out, just saying who I am,” Jones continued. “So when I see these kids — I don’t think y’all understand how much courage it takes to show up every day. Imagine living your life for 30 years and you coming to your parents and you talk about who you are. And you’re lying to them about who you are.”

Though Jones urged his fellow lawmakers to alter the bill’s language so that it would limit any attempts by teachers or schools to change a student’s gender identity or orientation, rather than just banning the discussion of it altogether, the amendment failed.

“In my heart, I don’t believe any of you in here, my colleagues — many of whom I’ve known for years — I believe that we all want to do right,” Jones said. “But it seems as if politics... we have gone down a road where we’re scared to just step out and make sure we’re not hurting people.”

Per the legislation, lessons about sexuality and gender identity “may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Additionally, the bill, a version of which was introduced in January by Republican Dennis Baxley, would, in part, allow parents to sue schools or teachers that engage in these topics, and would require that the state Department of Education “review and update educator practices and professional conduct principles, and other standards by June 2023.”

The piece of legislation is now in the hands of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has said he supports the measure.