In face of relentless leftist criticism over the controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration have encouraged opponents to do a simple task.
Read the bill.
DeSantis’ argument has been that LGBT activists, liberal pundits, politicians, and the mainstream media have ignored the plain text of the legislation in claiming that educators, or anyone else in Florida, is not allowed to “say gay,” if it becomes law, as expected.
The conservative website The Daily Wire tested DeSantis’ stance.
On Monday, the outlet released a poll of 1,000 people, only 32 percent of whom were Republicans. The survey asked in part whether respondents supported or disagreed with the key provision of the bill, which states: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through third grade or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
“The poll results,” The Daily Wire noted, “indicate that Americans across racial, party, and age lines support the Florida proposal.”
Overall, 64 percent of those surveyed said they support the ban on classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3, or also in higher grades “if it is not presented in a manner that is age or developmentally appropriate.” Just 21 percent opposed the bill.
That ratio was pretty consistent across the board, The Daily Wire noted, as supporters of the Parental Rights in Education measure included:
- 69 percent of Republicans
- 62 percent of Democrats
- 57 percent of Independents
- 63 percent of whites
- 66 percent of blacks
- 62 percent of Hispanics
- 68 percent of parents
In a statement to the news site, Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said, “This polling reflects what our common sense already tells us. Only fanatics think the classroom curriculum from kindergarten through 3rd grade should include teaching little children about gender identity.”
The Daily Wire also polled respondents on whether it was appropriate for teachers those those early grades to instruct students on “various sexual orientations” or “gender identities.”
The outcome: roughly two-thirds answered that it was inappropriate. Only one in five said yes.
DeSantis’ press secretary, Christina Pushaw, told The Daily Wire, “Most Floridians, no matter their orientation, agree that instruction on sexuality and gender theory is inappropriate in grades K-3.”
The Daily Wire was also able to gauge the media’s ability to float a misleading narrative. Some of the “misconceptions” uncovered by the poll included:
- 39 percent actually believe Florida would ban the word “gay” in schools. That number was higher among Democrats, 45 percent. Overall, 72 percent of Democrats incodated they had herd of the bill from ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, or MSNBC.
- 22 percent – and nearly one-third of Democrats – said the bill would force schools to “out” LGBT students to their families.
- 17 percent answered that the measure prohibits Florida students from saying they have a gay parent or relative.
Pushaw noted, “Radical progressives know their agenda is unpopular with the majority of Americans. That’s why they resort to telling flat-out lies — and the corporate media acts as the DNC’s comms shop.”
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