Crist's 'Caught Lying' About Florida's Parental Rights in Education Bill

Months have passed since the passage of the Parental Rights in Education bill which amassed a tsunami of media hits, both negative and positive,  towards Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida itself. The bill, which was notoriously dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its opponents, attempts to ban public schools and their staff from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity. However, the newly-elected Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Charlie Crist (D), believes that the bill is “not right” and that the bill is discriminatory towards the LGBTQ community.

“It’s not right. Now, you know, the part that talks about LGBTQ is what I’m focused on. And the notion that in our schools, we would make it more difficult to have guidance counselors to be available to help those children; to make them feel good about themselves," said Crist.

However, there is no mentioning of  homosexuality in the bill. The closest thing, perhaps, is the prohibition of the discourse of sexual identity by teachers to children from ages Kindergarten to 3^rd grade.

The most controversial part of the bill reads below:

“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in according with state standards.”

Veteran reporter Glenna Milberg, who conducted the interview with Crist, questioned his remark, asserting that that wasn't any mention of LGBTQ or homosexuality in the actual bill Gov. DeSantis signed.

"Respectfully, that's not in the bill I read," said Milberg.

But Crist didn't flinch when he was called out.

Crist actually responded to Milberg by saying," It's in the bill I read," which prompted her to question, "Is it?"

In late March (when bill was signed into law), Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), who is running for the Senate against Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) called the bill “disgraceful” and told the Republicans to “Keep our kids out of your partisan political games.”

“It’s disgraceful that the “Don’t Say Gay” bill was signed into law today. We must make Florida welcoming to everyone — and I continue to stand strong with the LGBTQ+ community. To those that have supported this shameful bill: Keep our kids out of your partisan political games” said Demings.

Both races featuring Charlie Crist and Val Demings will take place on November 8^th.