ABOVE: State Rep. Joe Harding. Official Photo via Florida House of Representatives.
An amendment filed Feb. 18 to the legislation that would bar discussions and course materials in Florida’s public schools, colloquially referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, (House Bill 1557), which would also require school personnel to inform a parent of their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity was abruptly withdrawn Feb. 22.
The Florida House of Representatives was set to begin a question and answer session Feb. 22, when Republican state Rep. Joe Harding (R-Williston), the author and chief sponsor of HB 1557, who also wrote and introduced the amendment, withdrew it.
In a press statement, Harding noted that “the exaggeration and misrepresentation in reporting about the amendment was a distraction; all the amendment did was create procedures around how, when and how long information was withheld from parents so that there was a clear process and kids knew what to expect.”
The amendment would have required principals to inform parents of their children’s sexual orientation within six weeks of learning they identified as LGBTQ.
“Nothing in the amendment was about outing a student. Rather than battle misinformation related to the amendment, I decided to focus on the primary bill that empowers parents to be engaged in their children’s lives,” Harding added.
A source told the Washington Blade that they surmised that there were additionally outside influences that may have caused Harding to withdraw the amendment. The source speculated that as Harding has a sibling who identifies as part of the LGBTQ community there was likely pressure on that front.
“But truly, the backlash was so fierce. He probably got a call from leadership that told him to get rid of it,” the source noted.
The Republican-controlled House could pass the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, (HB 1557), which has also received the backing of Gov. Ron DeSantis when it is expected to go up for a final vote Feb. 24. Democrats and advocacy groups have launched a full-scale campaign to derail the bill’s passage.
