POLITICO: Teaching Kids about Sex is American “Culture War”

March 14th, 2022 Updated 8:11 A.M. ET

TALLAHSSEE (FCV) – In an article from POLITCO by Florida political reporter Gary Fineout that’s turning heads, the so-called “Don’t Say Gay Bill” – the Parental Rights in Education Act – is framed to be part of “ground zero for America’s ‘culture war.'”

“Led by DeSantis, GOP politicians in the Sunshine State have stood proud as they’ve defended the policies like the “Don’t Say Gay” bill,” Fineout and Andrew Atterbury write.

“It was a session in which the GOP-led Legislature’s constant focus on “culture war” issues resulted in lawmakers approving policies to grant more power to parents over what their children learn, heighten scrutiny on school instruction and books, and ensure there will be turnover among local school boards, which have been frequent targets of the state GOP.”

Fineout did note other culture war issues – like abortion, a hotly contested one for decades. But conservatives are shocked that the new mainstream “culture war” position of Democrats is to teach 3rd graders about sex.

Typically, sexual education is taught beginning in middle school – 6th grade and onward. At schools, parents can usually exempt their child from sexual education courses. The bill runs through banning sexual education for third grade – any sexual orientation, gay or straight.

Fineout – a liberal journalist – writes that an effort to prevent grooming of young children in government schools is part of giving “fuel” to DeSantis and Republicans during the 2022 midterms.