Florida bill could lead to ban on pride flags in schools, government buildings

Florida lawmakers are mulling legislation that would ban gay pride flags and flags representing other political movements from flying on public properties, including schools and college campuses.

An initial House panel advanced the bill in a party-line vote this week. The move is the latest as Florida already has sought to rein in pro-LGBTQ efforts and displays.

Florida state Rep. David Borrero (R), the bill’s sponsor, said during a hearing on the proposal this week, that children are “being subliminally indoctrinated” by the display of rainbow flags in classrooms.

“The premise for this bill is very simple, and one that we should all agree with on this committee — our taxpayer dollars should not be subsidizing political speech in government buildings and classrooms,” the South Florida Republican said. “It’s time we stopped letting local governments and public school teachers from using classrooms in government buildings as their indoctrination pulpit.”

The bill would ban flags on government property “that represent a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.”

It also would ban popular lapel pins featuring flags linked to related causes. Borrero noted during the hearing that it also would prohibit flags promoting the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I think the premise of the idea is that the flags that are flown in our government both in our schools should be unifying in nature. It’s the American flag,” GOP Rep. Randy Fine, a cosponsor of the bill said.

Republicans hold majorities in the Florida House and Senate.

During the hearing, several people who are part of the LGBTQ community spoke out, arguing that it’s inspired by hate.

Matthew Grocholske, who identified themselves as a college student who is nonbinary, said they have been disturbed by “egregious laws being circulated in Florida.”

“I’m tired of telling our government that I have a right to exist,” they said. “A pride flag isn’t just a flag, it is a symbol to me that my very existence means something — it’s a flag that unites my community, like how the American flag unites us all.”