Last updated: April 15, 2024
On March 28, 2022 the Northern District of Florida passed House Bill 1557, widely known as “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” law that harms LGBTQ+ people – and violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution – by discriminatorily censoring classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity in Florida public schools, not only for grades K-3 but for any grade as long as someone concludes that the discussion is somehow not “age-appropriate.”
The subordination and erasure of LGBTQ+ life that HB 1557 sought to achieve has caused many copycat bills to be introduced throughout states in the U.S. — and has imposed concrete harms on countless children and families.
If you’re living in a state with similar laws, this guide will be helpful for demonstrating to your schools that LGBTQ+ people and topics can be discussed in the classroom, even when direct instruction is banned.
About Florida’s HB 1557 “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” Law
March 2022
The State of Florida passed House Bill 1557 that sought to erase LGBTQ+ life and equal dignity in Florida public schools.
March 2022
Family Equality joined a lawsuit with Equality Florida, as well as Florida parents, students, and educators to challenge “Don’t Say Gay” law as harmful and unconstitutional.They were represented by lawyers at Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
October 2022
U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor dismissed our complaint and held that none of the sixteen plaintiffs had standing to challenge it.
February 2023
Judge Winsor dismissed an amended complaint and entered judgment against the plaintiffs.
March 2023
Family Equality and Florida families appealed Judge Winsor’s dismissal of the case with the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
April 2023
Family Equality condemned the Florida Board of Education’s “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” rule which expanded the prohibition on classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation to K-12 classrooms.
March 2024
Family Equality joins Equality Florida and NCLR on a historic settlement to roll back key provisions in “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The Historic Settlement Challenging Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law
More than a dozen parents, students, and teachers throughout Florida, along with non-profit organizations Equality Florida and Family Equality, reached a historic settlement agreement with the Florida State Board of Education, Florida Department of Education, and school districts that resolves their facial challenge to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. The settlement agreement clarifies the following:
Family Equality joins Equality Florida and NCLR on a Historic Settlement to Roll Back Key Discriminatory Provisions in “Don’t Say Gay” Law
Family Equality joins to reach a historic settlement agreement that resolves facial challenges to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.
Family Equality Condemns Florida Board of Education’s “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” Rule
the Florida Board of Education voted to ban discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom through twelfth grade, expanding on the state’s…
Appeal Filed on Behalf of Family Equality & Florida Families in “Don’t Say Gay and Trans” Lawsuit
The bill, signed into law last spring, harms LGBTQ people—and violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.
Florida Parents and Students Challenge “Don’t Say Gay” Law as Harmful and Unconstitutional
Lawyers from Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP & NCLR filed a lawsuit on behalf of Equality Florida and Family Equality, as well as students, parents,…
Family Equality Denounces Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Signed by Florida Governor DeSantis
The “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill will prohibit discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom and undermine existing protections for families.
