Washington: US President Joe Biden has condemned the controversial Florida banning certain discussions about sexual orientations and gender identity in schools. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Potus said, “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.” Earlier, the White House had slammed the Republicans for the bill that directed school districts “may not encourage discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students”. The legislation has been dubbed as “Don’t Say Gay” bill. CNN quoted Kevin Munoz, White House assistant press secretary, as saying that the egislation would hurt kids who need the most protection in school and are “already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves”. Munoz said, “But make no mistake — this is not an isolated action. Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, “Every parent, as one myself too, hopes that our leaders will ensure their children’s safety, protection and freedom, and today, conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need support, support the most, kids from the LGBTQI+ community, who are already vulnerable to bullying — and we’ve seen that in study after study — and violence, just for being themselves and just for being who they are.” UNI RNJ
