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00:00 It marks a big victory for Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis.
00:03 The state's board of education approves the expansion of a bill
00:08 that restricts teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools to all grade levels.
00:14 The amendments to the "don't say gay" ban, as critics call it,
00:18 will prohibit the lessons unless it's expressly required by state academic standards
00:23 or is part of a reproductive health course.
00:27 Critics of the bill argue that it not only marginalises LGBTQ+ people,
00:32 but its vague terms will result in self-censorship for teachers.
00:36 "We are very concerned with all of the censorship and all of the erasure
00:40 that they're trying to do with the curriculum. We believe that the classroom is a space for
00:46 free thinking, critical thinking, to be able to engage with the difficult conversations."
00:50 Teachers who violate the ban could lose their license or face suspension.
00:56 The bill is a cornerstone in a spate of laws DeSantis has championed,
01:00 backing right-wing policies on sexuality, identity and race.
01:04 This ahead of his expected presidential bid.