TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (NSF) – The Florida House on Wednesday began moving forward with a proposal that would restrict the types of flags that can be displayed at government buildings and schools, including preventing the display of LGBTQ pride flags.
The Republican-controlled House Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee voted nine to five along party lines to approve the bill.
The legislation drew heavy opposition from LGBTQ people, activists and parents and refueled legislative battles that have raged in recent years about LGBTQ-related issues. Supporters, including Republican State Representative Rick Roth of West Palm Beach, say the bill is aimed at preventing “indoctrination” at places such as schools.
“We are saying that everybody has a right to their beliefs, and everyone has a right to express it privately,” Roth said. “But, we are not going to pick winners and losers and put flags in government buildings and on government flagpoles.”
But Democratic State Representative Dotie Joseph of North Miami Beach feels the bill “validates hate” and poses constitutional questions.
“The problem with this bill is, in addition to the constitutional issues, that it fosters the same kind of intolerance that breeds the violence that makes our communities unsafe,” Joseph said.
The House bill does not specifically name flags that would be barred from being displayed at public buildings and schools. But, in part, it would prevent the display of flags that represent a “political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.”
The legislation has one more committee stop before it can be considered by the full House. A similar Senate bill has not been heard in committees midway through the second week of the 60-day legislative session.
TRENDING: Florida Education Board takes aim at DEI, Sociology Course
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2024 WCJB. All rights reserved.
