STATEWIDE — Lawmakers have filed more than a dozen amendments to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill that is working its way through the Florida Legislature. One of the amendments, allowing school officials to disclose to parents their child's sexuality, was withdrawn.

Supporters of Florida House Bill 1557 and Senate Bill 1834 say it is meant to prohibit school districts from having an organized discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation among students.

But critics say it would stop students from being open about who they are or even talking about their families.

“The bill does nothing to help and support our youth," said Kara Gross, ACLU Florida’s legislative director and senior policy counsel. "Instead, it is meant to stigmatize LGBTQ youth and family members and make teachers fearful of providing a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

One of the bill’s sponsors, State Rep. Joe Harding (R-Ocala), filed an amendment that allows school administrators to disclose information to parents about their children’s sexuality after a six-week period of that coming up in the classroom. 

State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) filed an amendment that would allow a child to sue the state if that happened.

That amendment has since been withdrawn.

While facing questions from other lawmakers, Harding said the bill is meant to keep discussion of such topics reserved for parents at home.

“It’s instruction to the point that we’re pushing something that the school district has decided we’ve agreed upon and this is something we’re going to do," Harding said. "We’re going to lead into that, whether it’s a survey, questionnaire —  something they’re trying to do to pull information out of that student on something that’s a sensitive subject that would best to be of the parent.”