On March 11, the state of Florida settled a multi-year lawsuit against the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which limits how LGBTQ+ topics can be discussed and presented in schools, The Hill reported.
The settlement agreement clarifies language of the 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act; the move keeps it in place but toning down what LGBTQ+-rights advocates in the state warned could illegally limit their rights.
Interestingly, both sides took the development as a victory. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' office celebrated the settlement as a victory for his policy agenda. "We fought hard to ensure this law couldn't be maligned in court, as it was in the public arena by the media and large corporate actors," state general counsel Ryan Newman said in a statement. "We are victorious, and Florida's classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights in Education Act."
On the other end of the spectrum, Equality Florida also celebrated what happened. In a press release that Windy City Times received, Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith said, "This settlement not only reaffirms the rights of LGBTQ+ students and educators to live and speak openly but also marks a significant step [toward] rectifying the damage inflicted by the 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' law. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we stand united against discrimination and for the dignity of all LGBTQ+ people in Florida.
"This victory is more than a legal triumph; it's a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of collective action. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a Florida where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live authentically and without fear."
Plaintiff Cecile Houry told the Tampa Bay Times that the settlement avoids another multi-year appeals process and improves the state of the law, per The Hill.
—Andrew Davis
