TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The state of Florida has reached a settlement in a lawsuit over its Parental Rights in Education Act.

It was nearly a two-year battle between the state and LGBTQ activists who believed the law attempted to stigmatize and silence LGBTQ people in schools.

Under the settlement, teachers and students can discuss sexual orientation, but it must not be part of classroom instruction.

“You can be gay and be trans and not be afraid of being pushed back into the closet,” said Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Senior Policy Advisior for Equality Florida.

The Officer of Gov. Ron DeSantis called the settlement a “win.” General Counsel Ryan Newman said, “we are victorious, and Florida’s classrooms will remain a safe place under the Parental Rights in Education Act.”

The agreement clarifies language in the act, stating that references about LGBTQ people are not restricted in literature, class discussions or student academic work.

It also doesn’t prevent teachers from giving lessons about stopping bullying based on gender or sexual orientation, nor does it require the removal of LGBTQ safe space stickers.

However, the settlement explains that classroom instruction must remain neutral on all sexual orientation and gender identity topics.

Equality Florida, which was part of the lawsuit against the state, is pleased with agreement.

“Some of the things that the DeSantis administration agreed to as part of the settlement to adopt as education policy in the state of Florida are things that we would seek from the Democratic Governors and Democratic administration, these are real wins, real victories, real critical protections,” Smith said.

The Florida Department of Education is tasked with providing all 67 school districts in the state with a copy of the agreement.