Florida expands ban on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.

The Florida Board of Education has expanded the state's restrictions on teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity to all K-12 public schools. Under the updated rule, teachers risk losing their credentials for leading instruction on those topics to students through 12th grade instead of strictly kindergarten through grade 3. The rule is meant to ensure that educators stick to Florida's teaching standards, but opponents warn it could wedge a divide between LGBTQ students and teachers who support them. The parental rights expansions approved by the state board go beyond grade-level scope of legislation GOP lawmakers are currently advancing in the Legislature.