Teenage tennis star Coco Gauff has hit out at a new bill in her home state of Florida that will restrict discussions of sexual orientation in schools.
The LGBTQ+ community and its allies were dealt a huge blow this week when lawmakers passed the bill, which could come into effect in July.
The Parental Rights in Education legislation — known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill by critics — says public schools cannot “encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
Teachers are prohibited from “instructing” on these topics and the bill will give parents the ability to sue schools if they believe these proposed laws have been violated.
The legislation will head to the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, who has suggested he will sign it into law.
Gauff, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia but grew up in Delray Beach, Florida, has voiced her opposition to the new bill.
“I’m against it,” Gauff said. “I think these conversations are important, and for me, who has friends in the LGBTQ+ community, I couldn’t imagine not being able to talk about your identity. I feel that’s something that is normal.
“Every [LGBTQ+] person I’ve known has known that they were part of that community since they were young. I think it’s important that they have those conversations in school, because that is supposed to be a safe space to talk about everything.”
The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill hasn’t just outraged the 17-year-old tennis star, though. Hollywood actors and White House members have also spoken out against it.
President Joe Biden himself branded the bill as “hateful”, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki echoing
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