Sexual orientation and gender identity will not be
allowed to be part of the curriculum in florida come
July. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the
controversial bill into law yesterday called the
parental rights in education measure, But critics have
dubbed it that don't say gay law and they say it can
alienate L G B T.Q students. Now the new law reads
quote, a school district may not encourage classroom
discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity
in primary grade levels. End quote, the law refers to
Children in kindergarten throug third grade. Now it's
worth noting here, sexual orientation and gender
identity are not being taught in the current curriculu
for that age group. Some of the key other key
provisions included giving pare the right to opt
their Children out of mental health or physical care.
They may need allow parents to sue the school for
violating the law and gives the Department of Educati
power to update the school counseling framework
altogether. The governor de Santis is brushing off any
critics of the measure and there have been a lot. We
will continue to recognize that in the state of florida,
parents have a fundamental role in the education,
health care and well being of their Children. We will
not move from that. I don't care what corporate media
outlets say. I don't care what Hollywood says. I don't
care what big corporations say here. I stand. I'm not
backing down several national opinion polls show
americans are split on whether or not this law is
necessary and that's also true among parents in florida.
If the messaging that you're getting from your school
and your your family is that who you are, isn't okay
You know that just triggers more self loathing, mo
self harm. You no more acting out, you know, and it
prevents your, it could very well prevent you from ever
being able to connect with your community. It's alrea
not part of the instruction and it's already not part
of the standards and assessments, then, you know, wh
is the objection and formalizin that it's not going to
be part of the instruction or standards Studen
florida have staged walkouts. Disney, one of the
state's largest employers, is vowing to help repeal the
law. Now florida is facing possible boycotts as wel
Ryan Hughes is in West Palm Beach florida with how it'
a trend we've seen in other states that have passed
controversial laws. A surprise. No. Is it disappointing
Yes. Coming off Palm Beach Pride weekend, the compas
center a safe place for the L.G.B.T.Q. Community sa
it has seen a wave of support locally and from out
florida since the bill was passed, the state of
California showed up for florida. L.G.B.T.Q. Residen
and workers of Disney now there is talk of possible
boycotts and potential hits to florida's economic
engine. The tourism industry, popular and powerful tech
journalist Kara Swisher who was openly gay wrote on
twitter, she will no longer hold a tech conference next
year in Miami after the bill was passed. Do I expect
boycotts Yes, I do. Um, I don't know how many and when
Peter Ricci is the director of hospitality managem
at florida atlantic university. He says florida has a
diverse economy of tourism, theme parks, pristine
beaches and world class conferences and any
cancelations would impact businesses still trying to
rebound from the pandemic if we lose group travel, you
know, anyone conference could be between 200,000 and $5
million of economic value depending on the size,
discover the palm beaches didn't go on camera monday
but tells wPTV it has not seen any impact on tourism or
had any group cancelation surrounding that. Don't say
gay bill. In a statement, the president and ceo says,
quote, we celebrate and embrace the diverse and
distinct 39 cities and towns that make up our county
and welcome all walks of life to live work and visit
the palm beaches. But a boycott can cost states big
money. In 2010, Arizona lost more than 100 and 40
million in convention business because of an anti
immigration bill. The state also lost two super bowls
after refusing to recognize mar Luther king day as a
holiday and Georgia and north Carolina. Both lost more
than $100 million in revenue because of controversia
bills. I'm surprised, I haven't heard of cancelations
yet. I'm surprised on Monday. Disney released a
statement saying Florida's HB 1557. Also known as the
don't say gay bill should never have been passed or
should never have been signed into law. Our goal as a
company is for this law to be repealed by the
legislature or struck down in the courts. And we remain
committed to supporting the national and state
organizations working to achiev that. We are dedicated
to standing up for the rights a safety of L G B T Q
plus members of the Disney fami as well as the L G B
T Q plus community in florida and across the country,
Governor Rhonda Santis office says it's not concerned
about boycotts or economic harm adding the bill does
not ban the word gay or single out any sexual
orientation. In a statement, his press secretary said
if anyone actually boycotts florida because they'r
upset about the lack of sex and gender theory
instruction in our kindergarten through third grad
classrooms, I'm confident that our state is better off
without them. She went on to say no amount of money
would convince Governor DeSanti to change his position.
He will always stand for parental rights and protect
Children. The impacts and possible backlash remain to
be seen for Newsy I'm Ryan Hughes