Ron DeSantis played shocking video at the start of his news conference Wednesday that contained detailed and illustrated sexually explicit content in children’s books at several Florida schools.
The Florida governor had his staff warn the crowd in Tampa, Florida, before it was played that the video would show ‘material of a sexually explicit nature and not suitable for children,’ and all minors were removed from the room for about six months. minute projection.
Illustrations in the books included pictures of minors engaging in sexual activity and instructions on how to masturbate, engage in sexual acts, or download apps that facilitate “casual sex.”
The content intended for children was so graphic and explicit that local news stations’ live broadcast of DeSantis’ press conference was cut off on social media. It also got a ‘sensitive content warning’ on Twitter.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis showed shocking video at the start of his news conference Wednesday that contained detailed and illustrated sexually explicit content in children’s books found in several Florida schools.
The Gender Queer book is a memoir told through the style of a graphic novel that includes illustrations of masturbation, sex, and gender-affirming surgeries.
“Here are the books that parents found in Florida schools and reported to their school districts for removal,” the text read on a slide in the video. “What was found is shocking, graphic, and we warn you…not appropriate for children.”
Parents, many of whom spoke at the press conference, were appalled that these books were being handed out to their children by teachers and educators.
DeSantis, who was continuing to inch closer to announcing a presidential run, criticized the presence of graphic material in schools and criticized the “delusion” that removing these books from the classroom is a form of “book ban.”
“I just think that parents, when they send their kids to school, shouldn’t have to worry about this trash being in the schools,” the Republican governor said.
He compared the content of books to pornography.
A member of the Moms for Liberty group said that calling the removal of these graphic images and content from schools a “ban” of books is like saying that schools are “banning” the pornographic magazine Playbook from their institutions.
“We’re not parents with the government,” another mother insisted, saying they’re happy DeSantis is giving parents more of a say and insight into their children’s education.
The picture books that DeSantis and other Florida parents want schools to eliminate are like Flamer, which is a book that shows through illustrations and descriptions young children at summer camp engaging in sexual acts.
Another, This Book Is Gay, is a book that contains instructions on ‘the ins and outs of gay sex’ and teaches two boys how to have anal sex.
Let’s Talk About It is a book found in Florida schools that contains very detailed pictures and specific instructions on how men and women masturbate.
The Gender Queer graphic memoir includes some of the most explicit content, including illustrations of masturbation, sex, and sexual acts, and promotes transgender surgeries like double mastectomies and compares scars to tattoos.
Among the books DeSantis wants removed from classrooms is Flamer, which depicts through illustrations and descriptions children at summer camp engaging in sexual acts.
DeSantis’ roughly six-minute video shows pages from some of the books, some of which include graphic illustrations like the one above that describes how to use a butt plug.
Another titled Let’s Talk About It contains detailed images and instructions on how men and women masturbate.
DeSantis said the only reason he sees for rejecting the removal of books with this type of inappropriate content is if an educator is trying to further their own agenda rather than putting the student’s education first.
“Every minute you spend concentrating on some of this pornographic stuff, that’s less time you spend doing the things that really matter to our kids in terms of them getting the education they need in math and reading and all these other things. Desantis said.
“The only way you make that decision, in my judgment, is if you’re putting your own agenda before the welfare of the students,” he continued.
And that’s what we see all too often.
DeSantis said Broward County, which is within the Miami metropolitan area, is the worst offender when it comes to removing books that he says should not be available to minors at their educational institutions.
The removal of books from schools is not only focused on pornographic content, but also content that DeSantis says teaches children that certain people are inherently racist because of the color of their skin.
The Stop Woke Act, enacted last year, halts the teaching of Critical Race Theory and prevents instruction on race relations or diversity that implies that a person’s oppression or privilege is determined by their race, color, natural origin or sex.
The legislation includes the removal of any books or materials that might further this narrative.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signs controversial ‘Parental Rights in Education’ legislation, dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill by opponents. The bill prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.
Florida Democrat’s reaction to DeSantis’ signing of the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, which bans classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity with children in kindergarten through third grade
Democrats have pounced on this law, claiming it will ban books from schools that teach about black figures like Hank Aaron or baseball star Roberto Clemente.
DeSantis also called this a “hoax” during Wednesday’s press conference in downtown Tampa.
‘What the Stop Woke Act says, you know, we’re not going to teach our children that they are inherently racist based on their race, color or natural origin. Does anyone think that babies are born racist? I don’t think so,” DeSantis said.
“The other thing we say is in the law, that we are not going to make one race inherently superior to another race,” he added. ‘Is that something we want to teach our children? I do not think.’