People Are Encouraged To' Say Gay' On Billboards All Around Florida

Billboards in some of Florida's most populous cities are encouraging people to "speak gay."

The enormous roadside posters are in response to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of the state's contentious Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics. In "kindergarten through grade 3 or in a way that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate," the bill restricts "classroom instruction... on sexual orientation or gender identity."

The billboards, which are now on display in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville, were organized by the Southern Progress Political Action Committee, which aims to "highlight the radical agenda of Republican lawmakers," according to its website.

"It's fine to use the word gay." It's perfectly acceptable. "It's encouraged," Ally Sammarco, a PAC volunteer, told Winter Park's NBC station WESH. "We want to make it obvious that talking about who you are and where you came from is perfectly acceptable, and no one can prohibit you from doing so."

"It's fine to use the word gay." It's perfectly acceptable. "It's encouraged," Ally Sammarco, a PAC volunteer, told Winter Park's NBC station WESH. "We want to make it obvious that talking about who you are and where you came from is perfectly acceptable, and no one can prohibit you from doing so."

The next billboard, according to Sammarco, will be installed in Miami this week.

"A bill like this may appear benign at first glance, but it isn't," Sammarco added. "It will have extremely fatal effects for children, especially young LGBTQ children."

Supporters of the Parental Rights in Education bill, on the other hand, argue that it is about safeguarding Florida students and allowing parents a voice in their children's education. DeSantis claimed the bill will ensure that "parents can send their kids to school to obtain an education, not an indoctrination" at his signing ceremony on Monday.

The law will take effect on July 1st.