Standing Up To Tyranny

The Florida bills that are meant to oppress us just got so powerful opponents.

18 Attorneys General Challenge 'Don't Say Gay' Law in Amicus Brief
The attorneys general say that the Florida law is unconstitutional.
The Advocate
By Alex Cooper
December 27, 2022


Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced a coalition of 18 attorneys general that are opposing Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act — also known as the “don’t say gay” law.

Racine’s office said in a press release late last week that the law posed a threat to LGBTQ+ students, emphasizing that they are at particular risk and harm to discrimination.

“My office has a strong track record of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in the District and across the country to make sure that everyone can simply be who they are and love who they love,” Racine said. “Florida’s law offers no benefit to anyone and in fact puts children and families in harm’s way. We will continue to use all of our authority to help strike down this law and any other hateful, discriminatory policies that threaten people’s fundamental freedoms.”

In an amicus brief submitted in support of a lawsuit brought by several Florida families, the attorneys general state that the law, “are far outside the bounds of ordinary educational decision-making,” adding that its “outlier” status further indicates it is “constitutionally suspect.”

[…]

The families’ lawsuit, which was filed only days after the bill was signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in March, argues that the legislation violates Due Process and Equal Protection, as well as First Amendment free speech rights. The suit also raises questions about how the law will change in-classroom discussions and school functions. Already, many teachers and school district officials have voiced uncertainty about what goes against the law and what doesn’t.

I’m not a lawyer but I don’t think it takes a genius that it is a violation of the First Amendment when you tell someone they can say something and tell another that they can say it.

A straight can have a picture of their spouse on their desk but a LGBTQ can’t have a picture of their spouse would surely be a First Amendment issues and probably a Fourteenth Amendment also.

“The law is causing significant harms to students, parents, teachers, and other states. Non-inclusive educational environments have severe negative health impacts on LGBTQ+ students, resulting in increased rates of mental health disorders and suicide attempts,” the release said. “These harms extend to youth not just in Florida, but throughout the country.”

And Connecticut Attorney General William Tong was one of the co-writers of the brief.