On Tuesday’s edition of CNN Newsroom, Florida-based reporter Steve Contorno described the idea that 8-year olds should not be learning about left-wing gender theory or sexual identity politics as “stunning.” At the same time, host Victor Blackwell warned that Florida schools will no longer be safe spaces for LGBTQ youth.
The genesis for such sentiments was the Florida legislature passing a bill that would prohibit discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades third and lower. Blackwell’s fellow co-host Alisyn Camerota asked Contorno to explain, “this bill is vague. So, what exactly does it outlaw?”
Contorno explained the simple facts of the law, “And this is a, has been sticking point between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have said over and over again, this bill does not prohibit people from saying the word gay. And Democrats are saying, you are stigmatizing people.”
That might seem like a decent act of journalism, allowing both sides to have their say, but CNN clearly picked a side as their chyron at that moment adopted the left-wing framing of the bill: “Florida State Senate Passes 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Amid Protests.”
As did Contorno:
And then last night, there was somewhat of a stunning admission by the bill's sponsor during one of the late hours of debate. He all but acknowledged that he believes there is a trend of kids who are, quote, ‘experimenting with their gender identity and their sexual orientation.’ And that he actually hopes that this legislation might curb that and would no longer encourage that behavior in schools. Democrats call this a homophobic position.
Contorno never did explain why it is “stunning” to not want to teach third graders sexual anything or how 8-year olds are mature enough to decide their own gender.
Still, in an attempt to guilt trip Republicans, Contorno teed up a video of State Sen. Shevrin Jones giving an emotional speech against the bill: “I never knew living my truth would cause church members to leave my dad's church, or friends to stop talking to me. Or families to make jokes about who you are…”
After the clip, Contorno returned to sadly report, “Now, Senator Jones, as emotional as he got, was unable to persuade his colleagues. They ultimately voted this morning to pass the legislation, as you said. It goes to the governor's desk and he has indicated he supports it, Alisyn.”
Nothing in the clip shown addressed what is actually in the bill, but Blackwell still warned: “We'll have to see how this is implemented in classrooms. For some, so many young LGBTQ students, home is not a safe place and now that school can't be a safe place, we'll see if—if-- this impacts that.”
All Blackwell did was end up validating Florida’s concerns. Why are children being taught so much about their sexuality well before they even reach middle school?
This segment was sponsored by Progressive.
Here is a transcript of the March 8 show:
CNN Newsroom with Alisyn Camerota and Victor Blackwell
3/8/2022
3:51 PM ET
ALISYN CAMEROTA: Okay. Let's bring in CNN’s Steve Contorno. So, Steve, as I understand it, this bill is vague. So, what exactly does it outlaw?
STEVE CONTORNO: Alisyn, the bill makes it illegal to have classroom instruction around sexual orientation or gender identity in grades kindergarten through third grade or in ways that may not be age appropriate for all other grades. And this is a, has been sticking point between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have said over and over again, this bill does not prohibit people from saying the word gay. And Democrats are saying, you are stigmatizing people. And then last night, there was somewhat of a stunning admission by the bill's sponsor during one of the late hours of debate. He all but acknowledged that he believes there is a trend of kids who are, quote, “experimenting with their gender identity and their sexual orientation.” And that he actually hopes that this legislation might curb that and would no longer encourage that behavior in schools. Democrats call this a homophobic position and it all came down in an emotional day of debate, including from one of the body’s own, Senator Shevrin Jones. He is the only openly gay member of the Senate. And he shared his own experience with his colleagues, having this to say.
SHEVRIN JONES: I never knew living my truth would cause church members to leave my dad's church, or friends to stop talking to me. Or families to make jokes about who you are… So I ask you all, whatever this bill is supposed to do, let that bill do it. Let's do that. But like the Hippocratic Oath says, please, do no harm.
CONTORNO: Now, Senator Jones, as emotional as he got, was unable to persuade his colleagues. They ultimately voted this morning to pass the legislation, as you said. It goes to the governor's desk and he has indicated he supports it, Alisyn.
VICTOR BLACKWELL: We'll have to see how this is implemented in classrooms. For some, so many young LGBTQ students, home is not a safe place and now that school can't be a safe place, we'll see if—if-- this impacts that. Steve Contorno, thank you.
