At school, it is forbidden to talk about menstruation in classrooms, at least with students who are not yet 12 years old. This is the provision of the bill introduced in Florida by Republican Stan McClain, which received its first approval from the US state legislature. The move is part of anti-progress measures taken by the administration of Ron DeSantis, one of the right-wing candidates in the White House race.
Florida has already passed a series of laws limiting discussion of gender and sexuality in public schools as a way to counter the risk of so-called gender theories spreading among the youngest. To Republicans, talking about menstruation clearly takes that risk. In addition to the ban on mentioning the cycle, the proposal would only allow teaching “acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS, ed), sexually transmitted diseases or health education” to children aged 12 to 18 years.
The Guardian writes that the bill triggered protests from Democrats. Congresswoman Ashley Gantt remembers seeing some girls have their first period at the age of nine: “Imagine when a fourth-grade girl goes to the bathroom and finds blood on her underwear and thinks she’s going to die. This law will forbid them from talking. Is it about teachers?” Even Planned Parenthood (an organization that fights in favor of abortion law, sex education, and access to certain medical services in the United States) criticized the law, stating that it would “remove full control from local school districts in approving sex education programs.” State Education Ministry,” thus stigmatizing LGBTQ students, she offers “a reductive and binary gender view.” “This bill highlights Florida’s political leaders’ desire for permanent power,” the NGO said.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
