Friends, 

The Florida State Senate is currently poised to vote on its “Don’t Say Gay” bill. If it passes the Senate, the bill will be sent to Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for signature. Harmful bills like this one seek to restrict discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools — and they could be used to deny LGBTQ+ students’ identities.

As chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, I led 28 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Florida legislature telling them to stop both the House and Senate versions of this disastrous bill from becoming law. It’s not OK to target young people and hurt LGBTQ+ youth.

We have to stop the Florida Senate from passing their “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Add your name to tell the Florida legislature that this bill will harm children if it passes.

Call me pessimistic, but I’m not expecting the Republican leaders in Florida to listen to a letter from the Equality Caucus. After all, the State House still went ahead and passed it after they received our letter. But do you know who they might listen to? You.

If enough people sign our petition to stop consideration of this bill, legislators in Florida will have to decide whether they want to be seen as thwarting the will of the public or whether they want to be seen as standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of children in schools.

We want LGBTQ+ youth to be respected and empowered, not attacked and put down. No one should be made to feel unwelcome because of their identity, especially in a place of learning.

Sign the petition today and tell Florida lawmakers to drop this bill into the trash bin where it belongs. >>

Thank you for standing with LGBTQ+ kids.
— David Cicilline