White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is declining to state when the Biden administration believes students should be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Psaki on Monday, “At what age does the White House think that students should be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity?”
“I would say that first of all, Peter, we have spoken to the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in the past,” Psaki began. “As we look at this law, what we think it’s a reflection of is politicians in Florida propagating misinformed, hateful policies that do absolutely nothing to address the real issues.”
She continued, “The Department of Education is well positioned and ready to evaluate what to do next and whether its implementation violates federal civil rights law.”
“But I would note that parents across the country are looking to national, state, and district leaders to support our nation’s students to ensure that kids are treated equally in schools. And this is not a reflection of that,” Psaki added.
Watch the video below:
DOOCY: "At what age does the White House think that students should be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 4, 2022
PSAKI: "This law…is politicians in Florida propagating misinformed, hateful policies that do absolutely nothing to address the real issues." pic.twitter.com/bgdKLafk1M
Her answer did not satisfy the Fox reporter.
Doocy asked, “So if you guys oppose this law that bans classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in K-3, does the White House support that kind of classroom instruction before kindergarten?”
However, Psaki pushed back and asked if Doocy had evidence that Florida schools were teaching students about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten.
When he failed to provide an example, the press secretary said, “I think this is a politically charged, harsh law that is putting parents and LGBTQ+ kids in a very difficult, heartbreaking circumstance.”
The exchange refers to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by its critics.
As NBC News notes, “The measure bans ‘classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity’ in kindergarten through third grade.”
“It also prohibits such teaching ‘in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students,’ which critics say could be interpreted to extend to all grade levels. Parents can sue school districts for alleged violations,” the outlet added.
Psaki previously criticized the measure and called it “discriminatory,” a “form of bullying,” and “horrific.”
She also claimed it is a law “that would propagate misinformed hateful policies.”
“I think the most important question now is why are Florida leaders deciding they need to discriminate against kids who are members of the LGBTQI community?” she insisted.
The press secretary asked, “What prompts them to do that? Is it meanness? Is it wanting to make kids have more difficult times in school?”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the bill into law last month.