President Joe Biden (D) and the White House entered the debate focused on Florida House Bill (HB) 7 by State Representative Bryan Avila (R-Virginia Gardens). On Twitter Tuesday, both the White House account and the president’s account chimed in, criticizing Florida’s Republican lawmakers for their support of the legislation.
“Today, conservative politicians in Florida advanced legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids,” the White House said. “Instead of making growing up harder for young people, @POTUS is focused on keeping schools open and supporting students’ mental health.”
Today, conservative politicians in Florida advanced legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids. Instead of making growing up harder for young people, @POTUS is focused on keeping schools open and supporting students' mental health.
https://t.co/nn6nx8lLDD— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 8, 2022
Biden tweeted that he supports the LGBT community and will work to protect them from the “hateful” legislation.
“I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” Biden’s account said. “I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”
I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve. https://t.co/OcAIMeVpHL
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 8, 2022
HB 7, entitled “Individual Freedom,” and referred to by the mainstream media as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, passed through its final committee stop and is now set to be up for debate on the House floor.
The bill was introduced as part of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) “Anti-Woke” legislation proposals.
The bill does not ban the word “gay” from public discourse or limit discussions around the LGBT community, but it does protect employees from being subject to “woke” training, and students from sexual discussions that parents do not want their child exposed to.
HB 7 describes a series of conditions as “unlawful unemployment practices:”
- “Members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin.”
- “An individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.”
- “An individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, bears responsibility for, or should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of, actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, sex, or national origin.”
- “An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin.”
The bill also contains stipulations for how subjects and topics are to be approached in the classroom.
“Instructional personnel may facilitate discussions and use curricula to address, in an age-appropriate manner, how the freedoms of persons have been infringed by sexism, slavery, racial oppression, racial segregation, and racial discrimination, including topics relating to the enactment and enforcement of laws resulting in sexism, racial oppression, racial segregation, and racial discrimination. However, classroom instruction and curriculum may not be used to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view inconsistent with the principles of this subsection or state academic standards.”
Avila’s office was not able to respond to The Florida Capital Star’s request for comment regarding Biden’s view of the issue.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Joe Biden” by The White House. Background Photo “Florida State Capitol” by Michael Rivera. CC BY-SA 3.0.
