JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — People from all over Duval County gathered for the DCPS meeting on Tuesday to either support or speak out against a proposed resolution that would officially support the Parental Rights in Education law, or as critics call it, the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Board member Charlotte Joyce proposed the resolution that publicly supports the Parental Rights in Education law approved by Gov. DeSantis two months ago.
The resolution would do three main things:
- Put Duval County School Board on the map as officially supporting the bill.
- Publicly disapprove of parts of the county’s LGBTQ+ support guide.
- Thank the governor for signing the bill into law.
“This resolution could result in the death of a child because there are people who are denying who they are at home and they’re only safe space is at school,” said DCPS parent Crystal Maass. “And if you were going to rob them of that, they are going to feel like they have nowhere to be. They could feel like they have no hope, and they could end their life.”
Kiyan Michael, who lives in the community said, “I do believe that parents need to be involved in every aspect of their education, and it should never be where a teacher or a school board is making a decision on what the children are exposed to and what they learned about this. Sexuality belongs back to education of the parents.”
The resolution states it supports repealing parts of the LGBTQ+ support guide passed by the court. Now that the bill is law, the school board will have to repeal any parts of its LGBTQ+ support guide that conflict with the law.
Nearly 300 people signed up for public comment at the Tuesday meeting. DCPS board members decided to extend the meeting to hear all public comments and once finished they will discuss what their plan is for resetting or continuing.
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