Florida’s ‘don’t say gay’ bill inspired a chilling wave of Republican legislation

Anti-LGBTQ+ measures among more than 156 bills targeting issues of identity, says PEN report

Since Florida passed its controversial don't say gay" bill, conservative states across America have been advancing similar bills as they attempt to ban the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms.

Last month, Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed into law the Parental Rights in Education bill. The law prohibits all discussion of sexuality and gender identity in schools, a move that advocates say will erase" LGBTQ+ students and history.

This article was amended on 11 April 2022. An earlier version of the standfirst suggested all 156 bills in question related to LGBTQ+ issues.