If nothing else, Monday’s announced settlement in the prolonged legal battle over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act clarified one vitally significant thing:
Opponents’ nickname for the statute — “Don’t Flay Whey” (or something) — was a lie from the get-go. A monumental, purposeful, preposterous lie (George Costanza notwithstanding.)
Of course layperson lefty critics, eagerly spun up by their deep blue puppet masters, believed the legislation included the phrase “Don’t Spray Gray” (or something). Because branding.
That’s why it’s in quotes. But the name recognition for “don’t don’t say gay” among the public is far higher than the bill’s actual name. It’s a good lesson in marketing/branding.
— Scott Travis (@smtravis) July 1, 2022
And now, because they’re being instructed by the same indigo opinion leaders, they’re prancing a victory lap.
Florida students allowed to talk about sexual orientation, gender identity after textbook Freudian bigot Ron DeSantis backs down. #SayGay
— Lesley Abravanel 🪩 (@lesleyabravanel) March 12, 2024
https://t.co/vxdpIdYrCc
Well. They can believe that if they want to. Our side — I’m being presumptive, this being a place where center-right rationalists gather — regards the outcome as a victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who championed the legislation; the GOP-dominated Legislature, which happily did DeSantis’ bidding; Florida’s conservative activists, who helped build on Republicans’ electoral success; and at least one vindicated mainstream journalist.
When I spoke out in March 2022 about this, I accurately noted the law “doesn’t say don’t say gay” & warned that saying this enabled DeSantis to prove the media doesn’t live up to its own standards
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) March 11, 2024
I got chastised by the bosses for saying it
I was righthttps://t.co/SWUvp25T5b
Long post short, the settlement merely clarifies language in the statute opponents claimed was murky. Whether the murkiness was a bug or a feature is in the eye of the beholder; no doubt the stalwarts among Florida’s Moms for Liberty were rightly pleased the act laid an invisible third rail through Sunshine State classrooms.
Anyway, going forward, the state has stipulated that stuff that wasn’t within the scope of the law remains outside the scope of the law. That’s the settlement. No more, no less.
With the settlement, the law — expanded last year to encompass all public school grade levels — will remain in effect. In its purview, the legislation prohibits classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity, mandates that parents are notified about healthcare services offered at the school, with the right to decline, and requires that whenever a questionnaire or health screening is given to K–3 students, parents receive it first and provide permission for the school to administer the questionnaire or health screening to their child.
“Their judicial activism has failed,” a DeSantis press release stated. “Today’s mutually agreed settlement ensures that the law will remain in effect and it is expected that the case will be dismissed by the Court imminently.”
So, where are we? Simply put, it’s too early to tell. The proof will be in the implementation of these “clarifications.” Books that weren’t banned from libraries in the first place will be welcomed back. Discussions about sexual orientation that emerge organically won’t cross the line, but still — from the sounds of it — cannot be led by teachers, other district personnel, or guest speakers.
So, one guesses, even with the clarification, this won’t happen in Florida public schools.
Chasten Buttigieg, husband of @SecretaryPete is attacking me because he feels threatened by LoTT's mission to expose child groomers like him
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 11, 2024
He doesn't want you to see this video of him making kids 'pledge allegiance to the rainbow' and LGBTQ pride, so definitely don't share it! https://t.co/osa9Wy03it pic.twitter.com/Juwp5taO97
Bottom line: That horrendous lie of a nickname is dead, gone with the signing of the settlement and the clerk of the court’s seal. Won’t Slay Clay (or something) is dust.
All the while, the Legislature was readying more anti-woke ammo for the governor’s desk. Last week, lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting courses in identity politics and systemic racism from being mandated in teacher preparation courses. Settlements and (possibly meaningless) clarifications notwithstanding, when it comes to opposing indoctrination to the darling theories of the left, in Florida at least, the beat goes on.
As it should.
