DON'T SAY GAY

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed an executive order that set dates in 2023 for a special election in House District 24.

Florida Rep. Joe Harding is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements.

Rep. Joe Harding says he "fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested." A trial is set for Jan. 11.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — The Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call "Don't Say Gay" has been indicted on charges of defrauding a federal coronavirus loan program for small businesses, officials said Wednesday. Federal prosecutors said Rep. Joe Harding, 35, illegally obtained or tried to obtain more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration in pandemic aid loans. He is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements. Harding did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. The Republican speaker of the Florida House of Representatives has temporarily removed Harding from his committee assignments in the Legislature.

The Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don't Say Gay” has been indicted on charges of defrauding a federal coronavirus loan program for small businesses, officials said Wednesday. Federal prosecutors said Rep. Joe Harding, 35, illegally obtained or tried to obtain more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration in pandemic aid loans. He is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements. Harding, a Republican, became nationally know this year over his sponsorship of a law that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate.

A federal judge has refused to block school districts from carrying out a new state law that restricts instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms, rejecting arguments by parents, students and a non-profit organization.

If the bill were to become law, it could affect not only schools but also programs, events and literature at any federally-funded institution. But its prospects are dim for now.

When last we checked in with infamous Orlando-born experimental musician Brian Esser, he was celebrating his newest album issued under the moniker Cabo Boing. Well,...

Lawyers for a group of parents, students and a non-profit organization have asked a federal judge to halt school districts from carrying out a controversial state law that restricts instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Educators are cautiously making changes as they wait to see how the new law governing lessons on gender and sexual orientation will be interpreted and enforced. Ron DeSantis, bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. Critics dubbed it "Don't Say Gay," though it contains no bans on specific phrases and doesn't bar material on sexual orientation considered age-appropriate for grades 4 and above. Opponents say the law would stifle classroom discussion, arguing that it doesn’t clarify what could be deemed inappropriate. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued parents should be the ones in control of teaching their children about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Educators are cautiously making changes as they wait to see how the new law governing lessons on gender and sexual orientation will be interpreted and enforced. Ron DeSantis, bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. Critics dubbed it "Don't Say Gay," though it contains no bans on specific phrases and doesn't bar material on sexual orientation considered age-appropriate for grades 4 and above. Opponents say the law would stifle classroom discussion, arguing that it doesn’t clarify what could be deemed inappropriate. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued parents should be the ones in control of teaching their children about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ron DeSantis, bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. Critics dubbed it "Don't Say Gay," though it contains no bans on specific phrases and doesn't bar material on sexual orientation considered age-appropriate for grades 4 and above. Opponents say the law would stifle classroom discussion, arguing that it doesn’t clarify what could be deemed inappropriate. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued parents should be the ones in control of teaching their children about sexual orientation and gender identity. DeSantis recently addressed some of the concerns at an unrelated news conference, saying: “You know I hear some people say, ‘Wow, school’s coming up.

Under the bill, any conversation of LGBTQ+ topics, including books and flags are banned in classrooms kindergarten through third grade.

Heading back to school is exciting for some, but others said this year is different, given the Parental Rights in Education law, deemed by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” law, is now in effect.

As the school year begins in Florida, Orange County Public Schools is countering rumors about what is restricted under Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law....

Parents, students and a nonprofit organization have filed a federal lawsuit against four Florida school districts, challenging the constitutionality of a new state law that restricts instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms.

A viral meme is misrepresenting the effects of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law, focusing in on some particularly nasty dictates that are allegedly happening...

The tech billionaire's 18-year-old daughter has applied to legally change her name and gender.

A federal judge has scheduled a February trial in a legal battle over a new state law that restricts teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools.

Yearbooks at a Florida high school won't be distributed until photos of students holding flags and a "love is love" sign can be covered.

NEW YORK — (AP) — A Florida teen who became a prominent opponent of the state's so-called “Don't Say Gay” bill will be honored at next month's PEN America gala. Jack Petocz, a high school junior, will be presented the PEN/Benenson Freedom of Expression Courage Award. He was briefly suspended from Flagler Palm Coast High School for handing out LGBTQ+ pride flags during a protest there. Asia Kate Dillon, known for their roles in “Orange Is the New Black” and “Billions,” will present the award to Petocz. Among previous honorees are Darnella Frazier, who recorded on video the murder of George Floyd; and two survivors of the shootings at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The entertainment giant has not commented publicly on the proposal to dissolve its government, which has been in operation for 55 years.

The move could have huge tax implications for Disney.

The move could have huge tax implications for Disney.

Ron DeSantis & Walt Disney World For days, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been criticizing Disney, after the company called for the Parental Rights in Education law, known by critics as the “Don't Say Gay” law, to be repealed. (WFTV.com News Staff)THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Florida legislators will consider whether to end special districts put into place before 1968, including the one that gives Walt Disney World Resort essentially its own government, during their special session that starts Tuesday. Ron DeSantis made the announcement that special districts would be added to legislators’ agenda in a news conference on Tuesday in The Villages. DeSantis vetoes Legislature’s congressional maps, calls special session to redraw districtsStay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

State lawmakers also passed a separate measure prohibiting early classroom instruction on sexual and gender identity, a bill critics have dubbed "Don't Say Gay."

The topic of transgender and LGBTQ identity has become one of the GOP's "wedge" issues aimed at securing votes because they are popular with the party's base.

The challenge against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis aims to block a new law that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to a lawsuit filed by an LGBTQ group in an attempt to block a new Florida law that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms.

Ron DeSantis displays the signed Parental Rights in Education, aka the Don't Say Gay bill, flanked by elementary school students during a news conference on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Classical Preparatory school in Shady Hills. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Douglas R. Clifford)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Gay rights advocates sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday to block a new law that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The law has catapulted Florida and DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, to the forefront of the country's culture wars. Critics call it the " Don't Say Gay " law and argue that its true intent is to marginalize LGBTQ people and their families.

Ron DeSantis displays the signed Parental Rights in Education, aka the Don't Say Gay bill, flanked by elementary school students during a news conference on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Classical Preparatory school in Shady Hills. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Douglas R. Clifford)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges the legality of Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law signed by Gov. You can read the suit in full below:READ: DeSantis signs bill forbidding instruction on sexual orientation, gender identity in certain gradesGov. Channel 9 will update this story when a response to the lawsuit is received. DeSantis' cruel 'Don't Say Gay' law is meant to isolate, stigmatize, and erase LGBTQ families & our kids.

(Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Douglas R. Clifford)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — An LGBTQ advocacy group on Thursday sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to block a new law forbidding classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The law has catapulted Florida and DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, to the forefront of the country's culture wars. Critics call it the " Don't Say Gay " law and argue that its true intent is to marginalize LGBTQ people and their families. The filing seeks to block the law from taking effect and also names Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and other education officials as defendants.

Disney has vowed to help have Florida's HB 1557 law, known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, repealed.

The law says public school teachers may not instruct on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades kindergarten through third grade.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state's controversial bill barring discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools into law on Monday. The...

The Orlando Pride has apologized after a supporters’ group was told it could not display a banner that said “Gay” at a match this weekend.

Americans owe more than $1.7 trillion in student loan debt in the United States.

Senior leaders at Disney's studios have expressed their frustration to CEO Bob Chapek about his handling of the "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida, sources say.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized for not being a "stronger ally" for the LGBTQ+ community and for the company's silence over Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.

What the 'Don't Say Gay' bill debate tells us about democracy

The Walt Disney Company is now publicly opposing Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Disney employees are expressing their outrage over the entertainment company's decision not to denounce Florida's proposed 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

Florida Republicans have passed a bill to forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

Students at Edgewater High School took part in a walkout Friday to protest a piece of legislation critics have colloquially dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Yesterday, a protest broke out in front of Walt Disney World Resort demanding that the company respond to Florida's proposed "Don't Say Gay" bill. Needless to say, this wasn't enough from the company that has donated to every single sponsor and co-sponsor of the "Don't Say Gay" bill. To be fair, Disney donates to just about every Florida politician as a lever to exert their influence in Tallahassee. It's part of a slate of Republican-pushed "transparency" laws that add up to a hyper-policing of what is taught in Florida schools and open educators up to lawsuits for teaching thornier subjects. In the wake of all this, Disney responding with "look out for our gay character cameos" landed with a huge thud.

Middle and high school students across Seminole County walked out Thursday afternoon in protest of a Florida bill that would ban discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms across the state.

Florida's House of Representatives passed the bill and Governor Ron DeSantis has also signaled his support of the legislation.

Opponents of the measure say it will hurt LGBTQ youth, who already face higher rates of bullying, but the Republican sponsor says it's meant to protect children and keep parents informed.

The bill would prohibit schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade, and limit discussions in higher grades.

The "Don't Say Gay" bill also prohibits "discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels."

A Florida legislator is looking to make the state's proposed "Don't Say Gay" bill a little bit more cruel. State House Rep. Joe Harding is...

Supporters say the measure empowers parents to have a say in what their children learn. Critics argue it will harm LGBTQ kids. President Biden slammed the bill, which has Gov. Ron DeSantis' support.