Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took his anti-LGBTQ+ campaign to a Christian school setting, where he signed a bill prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, restricting pronoun use in schools, and mandating students to use bathrooms corresponding to their sex in some cases. The governor has repeatedly made anti-LGBTQ+ legislation a significant part of his policy as he campaigns for the Republican presidential position.

DeSantis signed the controversial measures in a campaign-style ceremony surrounded by supportive crowds at the Cambridge Christian School in Tampa. Although he previously signed legislation on abortion and gun rights in private, the atmosphere at the Christian school was like a political rally.

The governor spoke negatively about the need to enforce these new laws and prevent “mutilation” of minors, protect children from “sexually explicit” entertainment, and keep pronouns from being imposed on students. He expressed concern that primary school children were declaring pronouns and accused the academic community of participating in “the pronoun Olympics.”

The bill sponsor, Republican Rep. Randy Fine, defended the measure using religious grounds, saying “God does not make mistakes with our children.” LBTQ+ groups opposed the new laws, and Democrats did not support them, but the Republican supermajority in both chambers ensured their passage with ease.

In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law new anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which will significantly impact the educational experience of students in Florida. However, Republicans backing the bills had overwhelming support in the state legislature, and new restrictions are likely to remain in place until such a time when there is significant political opposition or a change in government.