Bill limiting gender builds on the success of "Don't Say Gay" bill

The Florida State Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would limit gender identity characteristics in schools. The state Senate passed the bill after a 26-9 vote with no Republican Senators voting against it.<br><br>The bill, which is seen as an extension of Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, would extend the ban on discussion of characteristics of gender identity and sexual orientation from pre-K through third grade to pre-K through eighth grade. It would also change a definition to include any reference to gender identity or sexual orientation made in a classroom, as long as the reference was tied to a course subject. <br><br>The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, tightens classroom instruction on LGBTQ topics, effectively restricting how educators can present topics beyond sex education. The bill also includes changes to digital privacy and social media.