Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, signed Monday legislation that bans the discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity at state public schools. It is a controversial policy which opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. 

The Walt Disney Company immediately condemned the legislationIt was repealed and they pledged their support. Opposition among business leaders has been slowly building momentum this month as it moved through Florida’s Republican-controlled Senate. Starbucks, NordstromAnd PinterestThese 45 companies were among the ones that silently signed earlier in this month to an anonymous petition of two years old condemning antiLGTBQ legislation.

Retail companies are the latest signatories Target, MattelAnd LululemonAccording to the latest version of the petitionMore than 200 signatures have been added to the. Sony Interactive Entertainment, Deutsche Bank USA, Hyatt Group Hotels & Resort, Yahoo! Shutterstock and Yahoo! 

In recent months the Florida bill has risen to prominence in national politics, drawing criticisms from Hollywood, the LGBTQ community and Democrats as well as the White House. The passage of the Florida measure occurs as anti-LGBTQ laws are advancing in many states. Advocates fear that those already excluded may be at risk. 

DeSantis claimed he supported the bill due to parents’ rights being “increasingly attacked around the nation,” but Florida stands up for their rights as well as the essential role that parents play in the education and care of their children.

His office released a statement stating that he believed parents must be kept away from schools teaching their children sexuality in classrooms as early as 5 years of age.

It was originally called the “Parental Right in Education” bill. The law went into effect on July. It prohibitsIn kindergarten, third and fourth grade classrooms “discussion about gender identity or sexual orientation” or “in an age-appropriate manner.”

Parents have the option to take legal action against schools if they feel that school procedures violate their fundamental right to decide on the “upbringing or control” of their children.

DeSantis and the bill’s other sponsors, as well as many Republicans, have stressed that the measure is necessaryParents will have control over the school’s activities and discussions, making it “inappropriate” to inject transgenderism into a kindergarten classroom.

Opponents argue that the Florida law is vaguely written and could open up to litigation from parents who feel any talk about LGBTQ persons or issues is unconstitutional. 

Advocates for LGBTQ slammed new law. 

According to the Human Rights Campaign DeSantis “once again placed Florida squarely on the wrong side of history, and placed his own young constituents directly in harm’s way – and he has done this for no other reason than to serve his own political ambitions,” according to a statementThe group released the following.

Joni Madison, interim president of the school board stated that “We are looking at a new reality in which LGBTQ+ students might wonder if it’s okay to acknowledge their sexuality and gender identity.” 

A human rights group pointed out that data shows that LGBTQ youth are already facing “real threats to their safety and challenges to overcome” such as bullying, harassment, assaults at school, etc.

Many of the almost four-dozen companies who signed the agreement were petition This month has been quiet about the latest wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in the U.S. They sign as Disney faces strong backlash. initial silencThe Florida bill has e. 

According to a release by Equality Florida executive director Nadine, Smith stated, “The current political climate is so toxic in it comes protections for our communities and Florida isn’t immune,” about the petition. 

Smith explained that it was vital for businesses to uplift LGBTQ+ values and include them in Pride celebrations. This is a critical time in which our community has been under threat. 

The petition was first published by Freedom For All Americans and Human Rights Campaign in 2020. It addresses dozens of antiLGBTQ laws that were being introduced at the time.

Around 2,000 people supported the petition. 44 companiesIn March 2013, tech companies were included Google, Apple, AmazonAnd MicrosoftCompanies like Hilton, American AirlinesAnd Dow Inc.The petition received more than 1 million signatures a year later. 55 companies.

According to Jessica Shortall (director of corporate engagement, Freedom For All Americans), the number of signatures increased by more than three times to over 150 at January’s start of 2022 state sessions. 

In February and March of this year, the petition saw an increase in signatures. 

A number of companies with a significant presence in Florida added their names on February 28, just days following the launch. state House passedThe “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” The new signatories included United Airlines, OracleAnd IHG Hotels & ResortsAccording to HRC, these employees represent thousands in Florida.. 

Shortall claimed that companies didn’t support Florida’s bill. Arizona, Iowa and Texas all have anti-LGBTQ policies.

The Alabama state Senate madeLast month, it was illegal to give gender reassignment health services to transgender teens. Texas governor. Greg Abbott, Texas Governor. She also ordered Child Protective Services to conduct child abuse investigations of parents who give gender-affirming care for their transgender kids in February. 

Iowa was named the “Best State” at the start of March first state to pass a ban Transgender student athletes playing in sports that are compatible with their gender identity. Also, Thursday’s Arizona House passed a similar billThree weeks after it was approved by the state Senate, that bans transgender children playing with their peers in sport. 

The Florida bill has received so much attention. Shortall explained that from the middle of February through March, the Texas situation has been continuously in flux as well as countless other attacks on LGBTQ people.