Political | Process

The ads, announced Monday by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, target a new Florida law that imposes new restrictions on discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in Florida schools.

The “Parental Rights in Education” legislation, the one critics dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, was signed into law last week by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis after it got approved by the GOP-dominated Legislature. Opponents have already challenged it in federal court.

Adams slammed the new law as “the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community.”

“Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City,” he added.

“Mayor Adams is doing Florida a favor,” Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ press secretary, told the USA TODAY Network – Florida. “If anyone is so upset about our governor defending parental rights that they want to leave Florida for a crime-ridden socialist dystopia, our state will be better off without them. In fact, the mayor should pay for their flights to NYC!”

The law prohibits Florida educators from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. It bars discussing such topics in a manner that is not age- or developmentally-appropriate for students, which could extend the ban to higher grade levels. Parents can sue a school district if they notice a violation. 

The legislation garnered criticism from LGBTQ+ people across the nation. Celebrities wrote “I say gay” on social media. President Joe Biden denounced the move. Academy Awards hosts ridiculed DeSantis. 

In signing the bill into law, DeSantis said it helps parents “send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination.” DeSantis stated.