A law introduced by Florida Republicans on Wednesday would prohibit teachers and other government employees from displaying a rainbow flag, including wearing one as a lapel pin for a day, but they could display the full-size flag of any “recognized nation” for as long as they wanted, according to the bill’s author.
Flag displays depicting a “racial, sexual orientation, gender, or political ideology viewpoint” would be prohibited in any state or municipal government building, including public schools and universities, under a bill introduced by GOP Rep. David Borrero.
Opponents claim the bill is motivated by hatred. Borrero stated that it protects youngsters and would prohibit even lapel pins featuring the LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags.
“Public classrooms should not be the place where our kids go to be radicalized and evangelized into accepting these partisan, radical ideologies,” he stated. “It’s wholly inappropriate to be putting those types of flags in front of public school students and in government buildings.”
When asked about other flags, Borrero stated that those of independent governments recognized by the United governments, such as Israel, might be exhibited in classrooms. Because the United States does not recognize Palestine as a nation, the Palestinian flag is not an option.
Borrero explained that the prohibition would not apply to students or government personnel who are not at work or in public facilities. However, it would extend to members’ offices, and at least some Democrats have threatened to breach the law if DeSantis signs the bill.
“Are we in Russia?” Are we in Cuba? That is authoritarianism. “That’s fascism at its finest,” said Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is Black and LGBT and has a “Pride at the Capitol” poster with rainbow colors in his public lobby, among other pride symbols.
“The rainbow represented hope to me growing up. “I can assure you that it wasn’t that that made me gay,” Jones continued. “I am not taking anything down. “I want everyone to see it.
Florida legislature has already passed many anti-LGBTQ measures, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is running for president. DeSantis has issued restrictions on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. He’s prohibited transgender health care for kids, added new barriers for transgender people, and made it easier for parents to have LGBTQ-themed publications removed from schools.
This bill, which passed on a party-line 9-5 vote by the House Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law, and Government Operations Subcommittee, faces an uncertain future, even with Republican supermajorities in the Legislature. Before being considered by the full chamber, it must pass through one more House committee. A corresponding Senate bill has been sent to three committees but has not been scheduled for hearing.
DeSantis’ office did not respond to an email inquiring if he supports the bill.
Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner, who is Black and lesbian, expressed displeasure that anti-LGBTQ laws continue to be introduced in the Florida Legislature, ignoring more important issues such as access to affordable housing and property insurance.
“Once again, we’re focusing on things nobody has asked us to focus on,” Rayner said, sitting in her office next to a stack of “Protect LGBTQ+ Students” flyers printed in rainbow hues. “I keep a Black Voters Matter sign outside my workplace. It will remain outside my office regardless of which measure is passed because of the First Amendment.
Borrero’s law would also apply to municipal governments in Fort Lauderdale suburbs like Wilton Manors, a gay-friendly community of 11,000 people where Pride flags fly practically everywhere, including City Hall during Pride Month. Rainbow-colored barricades border a bridge heading into town, and a Pride flag and a trans pride banner fly year-round above a tiny park across the street from the city hall.
Robert Boo, CEO of the town’s Pride Center, said DeSantis and the bill’s proponents want to “erase the LGBTQ community” and offer “red meat” to their political followers while neglecting complex issues afflicting the state.
“Wilton Manors is the second-gayest city in the nation. “It is critical for Wilton Manors to be able to raise flags that represent the community’s members,” Boo stated. “This may not pertain to middle Florida and they may not want to do that, but I think municipalities should have the ability and freedom to put up the flags that best represent their constituents.”