Florida Expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Policy To Older Students At DeSantis’ Request

The Florida Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to bar the state’s middle and high school teachers from teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity, an expansion of a state policy for younger students known by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which fueled nationwide controversies over LGBTQ protections and a feud between Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Disney.

The new policy bans instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity for grades 4 through 12, unless instruction is expressly required by state academic standards or is part of a reproductive health course.

Teachers who don’t follow the new ban could be suspended or have their teaching license revoked.