'Don't Say Gay' Florida lawmaker indicted on fraud charges
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.
wftv.com'Don't Say Gay' Florida lawmaker indicted on fraud charges
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.
news.yahoo.comFederal judge refuses to block Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
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.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools
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.
wftv.comSo-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools
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.
wftv.comSo-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools
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.
wftv.comFlorida school boards, including Orange County, sued over ‘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.
Florida high school activist Jack Petocz receives PEN honor
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.
wftv.comDeSantis: Florida lawmakers to consider ending Disney’s self-governing power during special session
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.
wftv.com‘Going to defend this vigorously:’ DeSantis responds to lawsuit against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
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.
LGBTQ groups sue Florida over so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law
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.
wftv.com‘Grave abuse of power’: Lawsuit filed challenging Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law
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.
wftv.comLGBTQ group sues Florida over so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law
(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.
wftv.comDisney roasted over response to Florida’s ‘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.
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