LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today, the Florida Senate passed hateful, discriminatory legislation commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 22 – 17, has gone to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for signing into law. Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from State Director André C. Wade:
“We will not sit by quietly as a dangerously hateful politician like Ron DeSantis pushes through his extreme political agenda to score points with fanatics as he positions himself to be the GOP presidential candidate. This vile legislation has one goal: harm LGBTQ+ youth and silence LGBTQ+ people. We stand behind the tens of thousands of Floridians who advocated against this bill and the thousands of students who courageously walked out of class to voice their opposition The language and rhetoric surrounding this bill is clearly another attack against LGBTQ+ people everywhere – with devastating real-world consequences, especially for LGBTQ+ youth who already experience higher rates of bullying and suicide. Silver State Equality stands with LGBTQ+ children in Florida and across our nation. They and their families have allies and a home in Nevada.”
“We will not sit by quietly as a dangerously hateful politician like Ron DeSantis pushes through his extreme political agenda to score points with fanatics as he positions himself to be the GOP presidential candidate. This vile legislation has one goal: harm LGBTQ+ youth and silence LGBTQ+ people. We stand behind the tens of thousands of Floridians who advocated against this bill and the thousands of students who courageously walked out of class to voice their opposition
The language and rhetoric surrounding this bill is clearly another attack against LGBTQ+ people everywhere – with devastating real-world consequences, especially for LGBTQ+ youth who already experience higher rates of bullying and suicide.
Silver State Equality stands with LGBTQ+ children in Florida and across our nation. They and their families have allies and a home in Nevada.”
The Don’t Say Gay bill is part of Governor DeSantis’ censorship and surveillance legislative slate that seeks to stigmatize and erase LGBTQ people and block honest discussions of civil rights in America.
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
