Watch: Pete Buttigieg Denounces Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Bill
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is slamming Florida's controversial Parental Rights Education bill.
On Wednesday, Buttigieg appeared on CNN and joined President Biden in calling the bill, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" Bill, "hateful" and dangerous.
The bill bans the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in state public schools from kindergarten through fifth grade. It also encourages parents to sue school districts that promote talking about such issues.
President Biden further tweeted: "I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are."
Buttigieg believes the practice of not talking about gender identity and sexual orientation would drive suicides in an already vulnerable population of children who may identify as LGBTQ.
"The reason is that it tells youth who are different or whose families are different that there's something wrong with them out of the gate," said Buttigieg about why the proposed law would cause harm. "And I do think that contributes to the shocking levels of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth."
Buttigieg, who recently welcomed twins with his husband, Chasten, used his own family as an example of how the bill could also twist and degrade the mental health of those with LGBTQ families.
"Chasten, my husband pointed out that, you know, if our kids someday, some Monday morning come into class and you know, kids are sitting around, the teacher's got the morning circle talking about how everybody's weekends went, and one of them says, "I had the best weekend with my dads",' Buttigieg began explaining. "Is a teacher supposed to say, 'No, we don't talk about that here'? You know, if it's at any age where it's appropriate to talk about, you know, a kid's mom and dad, then it should be appropriate to talk about a kid's mom and mom, or dad and dad — or whatever family structures we live with."
Appearing on MSNBC's "The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart" last month, Chasten was careful to point out that the damage the Florida bill can do has already started.
"It's important to point out that trauma has already started. They see us talking about it," he said. "They see their identity up for debate right now."
Republicans supporting the bill claimed that the bill would protect families. Buttigieg further pointed out that is exactly what he is trying to do, too.
"That's part of what it means to be pro family, is to be pro-every family," Buttigieg said.