By Mark Gray
7:00pm PST, Mar 9, 2022
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On March 8, 2022, Florida's lawmakers passed legislation titled "Parental Rights in Education" — which critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill as it restricts speech in public school classrooms concerning LGBTQ identity. The state's governor, Ron DeSantis, has indicated he intends to sign the bill, which bans teachers up to third grade from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in their classrooms. Hollywood stars and other celebrities have been weighing in on the legislation for weeks. Music star Ariana Grande took to her Instagram Story where she called it, "Really disgusting."
Click through to see who else is voicing an opinion about the proposed "Don't Say Gay" bill…
RELATED: Stars with LGBTQ children
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On March 8 at the end of his Bravo show "Watch What Happens Live," host Andy Cohen hit back, telling viewers, "First to Florida Republicans, you're pretending to solve a problem that doesn't exist. There is not a mass conspiracy of kindergarten teachers who are plotting to teach children to be gay. This is one big dog whistle. You're scaring people into spewing hate and discrimination at the LGBTQ community. Second, While the words 'don't say gay' don't explicitly appear in the bill, as a gay parent, I'm concerned that its deliberately vague language leaves room for it to be interpreted that way. Like, if my son went to school and talked about his gay dad during class and the teacher engaged, under your vague, hateful law, that can be considered illegal? And finally, supporters of this bill, including Governor DeSantis's press secretary, have spread so much misinformation, like suggesting only 'groomers' would oppose it. You can't groom someone to be gay. You're born gay. And then there's Senator Ileana Garcia, who said on the Florida Senate floor, 'Being gay is not a permanent thing. LGBT is not a permanent thing.' Sweetie, with all due, it's permanent. Trust me. I thought the whole point of sending our kids to school was to educate them and prepare them for the real world. Well, newsflash, the real world has gay people in it. It has people of all different gender identities. You can draft all the homophobic and transphobic bills you want, you're not going to erase us. I just wonder how many children and families need to suffer before our politicians figure that out."
RELATED: Stars who have gay parents
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"The bill is an obvious & clumsy partisan political effort. Away from the spotlight, this will damage kids & families. This law won't survive in the courts." –Sean Astin
RELATED: Stars who came out
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"Horrified by what is happening in Florida. Children deserve to be who they want to be. To be their true selves. If there was ever a time to register to vote, it is now." —Kerry Washington
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"I knew I was gay when I was 6 and would have greatly appreciated more representation, acceptance & education while I was growing up. To all the kids in Florida, there is a vast community here to help, who loves you just the way you are & who will answer any questions you have" –Johnny Weir
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"The 'Don't Say Gay' bill just passed the Florida Senate. This bigoted legislation will create less inclusive classrooms and directly harm LGBTQ+ youth. Let's support the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and around the country by stating #WeSayGay" –Cynthia Nixon
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"This bill, which the republicans call the parental rights and education bill, stipulates that classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through third grade… one the plus side, the first day of 4th grade it going to get super interesting." —Stephen Colbert
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"SICK. I'm disgusted. This will put CHILDREN in harms way. @HRC. I hope you can sue for any kids kicked out on streets Amendment to 'Don't Say Gay' bill in Florida requires schools to out students to their parents within six weeks," Patricia Arquette tweeted. She later added, "Parents that kick their kids out because they are gay leads to child sex trafficking. Stop putting kids at risk."
*An amendment to the bill — which was withdrawn in February — would have required schools to inform parents of their child's sexual identity — out them — within six weeks if a teacher or staffer learned the student wasn't straight.
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"Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill is the latest example of the performative cruelty that defines the GOP brand today. It will only serve to hurt children and families. People who believe in freedom and equality should oppose these ugly measures at every opportunity." –Hillary Clinton
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"Does everyone realize what is happening in FL with this 'Don't Say Gay' bill? That to acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ+ and trans/GNC people in classrooms could get teachers/students sued? Please make yourself aware if you aren't, this is very dangerous." –Billy Eichner
RELATED: Stars who have LGBTQ parents
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"It started with [critical race theory]. Let's remember that — and those are anti-history laws, anti-Black history laws, really. If you start coming after Black people, what comes next, right? Of course the LGBTQ+ community, and then women, and then other marginalized groups. So, I'm surprised that parents just sort of jumped on the bandwagon of this [and] didn't realize that this is where it naturally leads. We've seen this so many times in our country and in history globally." –Sunny Hostin on "The View"
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"I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve." –President Joe Biden
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"I'm very upset about this. First, I think it's not a necessary bill. First graders are not having a curriculum that teaches sexuality. I also think that the message it sends is a very chilling one for LGBTQ families. The Republican Party is the party of family values, and I don't know what it means when a kid has two dads or two moms — the message is, you are not welcome here." –Ana Navarro on "The View"
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"Agree with the Florida 'Don't say gay' bill. School is for learning. It should NOT be a place for discussion." –Michael Ian Black
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"May we discuss the Enola Gay in the Florida public schools?" –Sandra Bernhard
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"As I was saying… wonder if one of his kids came out as gay if this nasty man would try to do the same thing. #homophobeDeSantis" –Martina Navratilova
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"An amendment was just filed by the sponsor of Florida's #DontSayGay bill to allow for state-mandated outing of #LGBTQ students to parents. If this bill passes, it will have horrible consequences for vulnerable children." –Billie Jean King
*An amendment to the bill — which was withdrawn in February — would have required schools to inform parents of their child's sexual identity — out them — within six weeks if a teacher or staffer learned the student wasn't straight.
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"The 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' bill in Florida is attempting to erase LGBTQ+ children and families from the classroom. No child should have to hide who they are — this legislation must be stopped," George Takei tweeted. On March 8, he added, "A Florida lawmaker got up to say that "gay" isn't permanent. I'm not sure what she meant by that, since I've been gay for more than 84 years, but many of nature's most beautiful creations, from rainbows to bursts of flower blossoms, don't last forever. Just long enough to wow."
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"'Don't Say Gay' bill????????? What the F is wrong with Florida?????" –Smash Mouth
