Prairie State Wire

Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) is describing a Florida bill banning sex instruction for kindergartners as an attack on "LGBTQ families."

The bill, which has passed the Florida House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), bars Florida public school teachers from instructing students ages 3-9 on so-called "gender identity" and other sexual content.

"Dear Florida: I'm proud that in Illinois we protect our LGBTQ families, teach our history and stand with our LGBTQ youth," Harris wrote on Twitter Wednesday. "I'm proud to be the LGBTQ House Majority Leader, from a district with an LGBTQ Senator, a city with a LGBTQ mayor and a ward with an LGBTQ Alderman."

The bill's text says "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age- appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Harris isn't the only Illinois politician opposing the anti-grooming bill.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the bill is "divisive and hateful" and that Florida is "legislating hate" by preventing teachers from discussing homosexuality and other sexual topics with elementary school children, without the permission of their parents.

She said preventing teachers from instructing young children on homosexuality and related topics is a violation of "the rights of LGBTQ+ families & children."

Kristin Jenson of Defend Young Minds, an anti child-sex abuse group, says adults talking with young children about sex is a "grooming behavior... parents should recognize."

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) says grooming of children includes "desensitization to...discussion of sexual topics."

"Abusers may.. discuss sexual topics with (child targets), to introduce the idea of sexual contact," it said. "These tactics are used most often against younger kids."

Called the Parental Rights in Education bill, it passed the Florida House 69-47 and the Florida Senate 22-17. It will take effect July 1, 2022.