On Tuesday evening, both ABC’s World News TonightCBS Evening News were clearly upset that kindergarten to third-grade students in Florida won’t be taught about transgender ideology after the passage of the Parental Rights In Education bill, which the left ludicrously calls the “don’t say gay” bill.
“Well, today, Florida lawmakers passed what opponents have called the ‘don’t say gay’ bill. The measure would limit classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity among young children,” a clearly disappointed Norah O’Donnell announced at the beginning of the segment on CBS Evening NewsManuel Bojorquez was the national correspondent before I turned to him.
Bojorquez tried to exploit the bullying of a seventeen-year-old transgender student named Andrew Triloleo to gin up opposition to the legislation, which doesn’t even address sexual education in high school.
“He now fears other LGBTQ youth will be hurt by Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which would ban classroom introduction on sexual orientation or gender identity in Kindergarten through grade three,” Bojorquez reported.
CBS then brought in Florida State Representative Joe Harding who was the sponsor of the House version of the bill to be asked: “You may have LGBTQ youth who do not have a supportive home environment. Wouldn’t the school be a safe place?”
Harding was correct in pointing out that schools were safe and that they should remain that way no matter what legislation is passed.
During ABC’s segment on the Florida bill, correspondent Victor Oquendo panicked that the bill passed and “has been sent to Governor Ron DeSantis to sign.” Also noting that DeSantis has already announced that he supports the bill and is likely to sign it.
Oquendo huffed that the state Senate passed the bill “despite days of protests from the LGBTQ community and thousands of students.”
Similar to the CBS segment but with a different state representative, ABC interviewed Harding about the law.
All it does is state what is age– talks about what’s appropriate in the classroom to teach and then it talks about the fact that the parent has the right to be engaged in the education of their children.
Undeterred, Oquendo reported that “critics warn this will prevent teachers and schools from helping children who feel bullied or ostracized and have nowhere to turn.” Which is not true.
It’s unclear how banning public school teachers from talking to three-year-olds about sexual identity would cause students to be bullied. What neither network mentioned is that nowhere in the Florida bill is the word “gay” mentioned.
Prevagen (ABC) and Simplisafe (NBC) made it possible for evening newscasts to freak out about Florida’s ban on the sexual indoctrination young children. You can find their information linked.
Click expand to read the transcript.
CBS Evening News
3/8/2022
Eastern at 6:44:11NORAH O’DONNELL: Well, today, Florida lawmakers passed what opponents have called “the don’t say gay” bill. It would restrict classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation among children under the age of 18. ACLU reports that 15 additional states are looking into bills to address LGBTQ+ education. CBS’ Manuel Bojorquez has more to share.
(…)
MANUEL BOJORQUEZ : People have spoken out against the government. Others find the fight personal. Andrew Triloleo is a 17-year old transgender man who says he had a safe place at home to draw and sew.
ANDREW TRIALLOLEO: Like students, teachers and administrators alike, I was discriminated against and harassed.
BOJORQUEZ, He claims that years of physical and verbal violence caused him to abandon three schools.
TRILOLEO : My high school experience was not one I had. I was unable to attend homecoming. I wasn’t able to attend the football games.
BOJORQUEZ: BOJORQUEZ is now concerned that Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, which would prohibit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, will cause harm to other LGBTQ youth. The bill was sponsored by Joe Harding, Republican State Representative.
REP. JOE HARDING: We can’t ban a conversation. We can’t ban a discussion. We are not doing that.
BOJORQUEZ : However, critics claim that a clause allowing parents the right to sue school districts can chill those discussions. They also argue that the broad language of this bill could be applicable to all grades.
PROTESTERS: Trans lives matter! Trans lives matter!
BOJORQUEZ – You might have LGBTQ youth without a home that supports them. Isn’t it safer to have the school?
HARDING: The schools should be safe.
BOJORQUEZ – Andrew doesn’t agree. What’s your message to anybody who’s having some of the struggles you’ve had?
TRILOLEO – It is okay to fail. You’ll eventually reach a point where you are able to be yourself, feel happy, and do what is best for you.
BOJORQUEZ. Florida Governor Ron Desantis supported the bill. The bill has put Disney State’s biggest employer in trouble. Some employees want the company to reject the bill. However, the CEO of Disney stated that they won’t take any public position on the matter. Norah?
ABC’s World News Tonight
3/8/2022
Eastern, 6:45:46DAVID MURIR: In the meantime, we’re back at our home and will be discussing Florida’s new controversial legislation, which was passed tonight. It is now being sent to Governor Scott. This bill is known as the parental rights legislation in education. It is sometimes called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics. Teachers would be prohibited from using the words or performing certain actions. Many are asking, “What about bullied or isolated children?” What will their school be like? Here’s Victor Oquendo in Florida tonight.
VICTOR OQUENDO. Tonight Florida’s controversial legislation, known as the “don’t say gay” bill by critics, has received national attention and was sent to Governor Ron Desantis for him to sign. Already, the Governor has indicated that he supports it. Today’s passage of the state Senate bill by 22-17 was despite protests by the LGBTQ community as well as thousands of students. The “Parental Rights in Education” measure, officially known as the “Parental rights” bill, bans teachings about “Sexual orientation and gender identity” for grades K-3. It also prohibits any instruction that is “not age-appropriate” or “developmentally inappropriate” according to state standards. These standards have not been established for all grades.
REP. JOE HARDING: All it does is state what is age– talks about what’s appropriate in the classroom to teach and then it talks about the fact that the parent has the right to be engaged in the education of their children.
PROTESTERS We are gay.
OQUENDO. But, critics say this will stop teachers and schools helping kids who are bullied and ostracized or have no other options. According to The Trevor Project, 52% (or more) of LGBTQ youth in middle school or high school said they were bullied during the previous year. Another 42% stated that they considered suicide. The bill has been condemned by President Biden. Tonight, the education secretary of Biden suggested that schools that implement it might lose federal grant access due to a 1972 law. David?
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