NBC’s Today went into the holiday weekend Friday in a tizzy over the implementation of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, decrying it as having “unleashed a torrent of controversy,” “combustible confrontations”Parents and “widespread confusion” and the insane, fact-free claim that it’s “frightening” Floridian.
Correspondent Sam Brock was on scene from Pembroke Pines, first relaying that there’s “widespread confusion among schools across Florida.”Confusing, you might ask? Apparently, it’s too confusing that discussion of sexual content and transgenderism is banned through third grade, but not after that.
Brock claimed the law is a result of these events. “has unleashed a torrent of controversy” as it goes into effect Friday despite “heated protests in Florida, a feud between the governor and the Walt Disney company and pending federal lawsuit.”
Brock then laid out the facts of how there’s no basis in reality for “accusations the law restricts gay or transgender teachers from putting a family photo on the desk or referring to them and their spouse and their own children,” but Brock insists it’s the perception that matters, not facts.
“But for many, those words belie the true impact. Dr. Denise Soufrine, who is gay, has spent 34 years in Broward County schools, most recently with kindergarten and first grade,” he explained, to which Soufrine said the Sunshine State’s “moving backwards with regard to civil rights and social justice” to the point that “[i]t’s frightening to be a citizen in Florida.”
Brock spoke out against teachers sharing graphic sexual content and arguments with young children. “should be happening in our own homes, at our own discretion, with beliefs of our own Christian values.”
Brock again framed it as divisive. “[T]he issue…has struck a controversial cord.”
Brock directed parents to stop going to school board meetings by following the Education and Justice Departments.
A series of polarizing meetings in Jacksonville recently leading to combustible confrontations and signs like this one reading, “STOP SEXUAL PROPAGANDA At School.” [sic]
Brock eventually got to Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and his simple aim of ensuring “parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination,” but that was short-lived as Brock resumed his gripe that “many details remain unanswered” while “high schoolers protesting” the bill “were quickly swarmed by hundreds of detractors.”
Brock warned, returning to the studio, that the issue will continue to expand to other states. “[a]ccording to one group that tracks LGBT censorship, there are some six states with laws on the books, another 33 that have introduced legislation to their state house.”
“LGBT censorship?”
For a high school coach to be able to pray, he had to spend years going through the courts system until Monday’s Supreme Court ruling gave those who want that ability the green light.
NBC’s pity party against parents having a role in their children’s lives on a sensitive subject was made possible thanks to advertisers such as Dove and Ensure. Follow the links to see their contact information at the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page.
To see the relevant NBC transcript from July 1, click “expand.”
NBC’s Today
July 1, 2022
Eastern, 8:05[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: News at 8; Confusion as “Don’t Say Gay” Law Takes Effect]
TOM LLAMAS What does it mean for Florida’s teachers and students? Sam Brock, NBC’s Sam Brock, has closely followed this story for us. Sam, it’s good to be here.
AMBER BROCK: Tom. Good morning. It seems that there is confusion at schools in Florida. Instruction on the topic of sexual orientation will most likely be restricted for third-graders through kindergartners. However, Florida has admitted that it doesn’t have any plans for older children as this law has sparked a lot of controversy. After months after heated protests in Florida —
PROTESTERS: Don’t Say Gay!
BROCK: — a feud between the governor and the Walt Disney company and pending federal lawsuit, the Parental Rights in Education bill — referred to by critics as “Don’t Say Gay” — is now in effect. This week the state presented a legal motion arguing the law’s limitations on classroom instruction regarding sexual orientation/gender identity. And what it does not, stating there’s no merit to accusations the law restricts gay or transgender teachers from putting a family photo on the desk or referring to them and their spouse and their own children. Many people are unaware of the real impact these words have. Gay Dr. Denise Soufrine has been a Broward County schoolteacher for 34 years, including the last three with first- and kindergarten students.
DENISE SOUFRINE: We are going backwards in terms of civil rights and justice. It’s frightening to be a citizen in Florida.
BROCK – The topic of LGBTQ issues at schools remains controversial.
UNIDENTIFIED MOM [at a Duval County Public Schools meeting, 06/07/22]These are topics that should be discussed at home, in accordance with our Christian faith. [SCREEN WIPE]These are not the tasks of teachers.
BROCK: A series of polarizing meetings in Jacksonville recently leading to combustible confrontations and signs like this one reading, “STOP SEXUAL PROPAGANDA At School.” [sic]
GOVERNOR ROY RON DESANTIS, R-FL [on 03/28/22]Parents can send their children to school for an education and not indoctrination.
BROCK: Several months have passed since Governor DeSantis signed the bill. Many details still remain unanswered. The Florida Department of Education noting that it’s still working to develop age appropriate rules for students in older grades. A few high school students who protested the March legislation were swiftly attacked by hundreds.
CASSIE SATALLA: We protested a bill which would have made queer students feel unwelcome and unsafe. We were confronted with exactly the same thing that we tried to protest.
BROCK: This goes far beyond Florida. One group tracks LGBT censorship and reports that there are six states that have laws in place, while 33 others have passed legislation to their respective state houses. You know what, men, it was not possible to introduce any law in this country prior to 2020. Tom, we are back.
LLAMAS: Sam Brock, it’s okay. Sam, we are grateful.
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