Fox News Flash top headlines for February 8
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President Biden criticized a controversial bill making its way through the Florida legislature that addresses conversations teachers have with their students about gender and sexual orientation.
"I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are," the president tweeted Tuesday. "I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve."
President Joe Biden answers questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Biden retweeted an earlier post from the White House referring to the controversial Florida bill as an "attack" on gay children.
The Senate Education Committee in Florida approved SB 1834, which critics have dubbed the "don’t say 'gay' bill," which says schools "may not encourage discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sat down with Fox News Digital to discuss Trump and the position of the Republican Party.
The bill's sponsor, Republican State Sen. Dennis Baxley, says it clarifies the role of teachers in the classroom.
"Some discussions are for (having) with your parents," Baxley said. "And I think when you start having sexual-type discussions with children, you’re entering a very dangerous zone. Your awareness should pop up right away, this isn’t teaching."
Baxley also says that his measure does not affect private conversations with teachers and students but only relates to "procedures" and "curriculum."
Critics disagree, saying that the bill’s wording does not clearly establish that private conversations are exempt and could alienate or harm gay children in schools.
"It is patently offensive to say that school discussions, even with young children, referring to two moms or two dads, parents like those that are sitting in this room that are your constituents … is somehow dangerous or inappropriate," John Harris Maurer, public policy director for LGBTQ-advocacy group Equality Florida, said about Baxley's bill.
In a press conference Tuesday, DeSantis said he has not yet seen any bill but that he supports the rights of parents to be involved in what their children are being taught in schools.
"I think that what you've seen in Florida, parts of the country, is schools keeping parents out of these decisions," DeSantis explained. "And I don't see how you can do that."
DeSantis added, "I also think one of the things that I think the legislature is getting at is everything should be age-appropriate."
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DeSantis press secretary Christina Pushaw told Fox News that the media has adopted an "entirely false" narrative about the proposed legislation.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a joint session of a legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
"There is nothing in this bill preventing anyone from ‘saying gay’," Pushaw said. "It's about age-appropriate education on gender and sexual orientation."
Pushaw added that DeSantis will reserve comment on whether or not he intends to sign the bill until he reviews it in its final form.
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