Above, Donald Trump holds a rainbow flag given to him by a supporter during a campaign rally in Greeley, Colorado, on October 30, 2016. Prominent gay Republicans have slammed the attack on legislation such as Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill as "misguided" in recent conversations with Newsweek. In conjunction with these laws, there has been a noticeable increase in Republicans accusing those criticizing the bills or voicing support for the LGBTQ community of being "groomers" or "pro-pedophilia." As those on the left have slammed the GOP-backed legislation and the accusations from some on the right, prominent gay Republicans who spoke to Newsweek dismissed the criticism. Others go further, barring gender-affirming health care and treatment for transgender minors. Many of these bills bar young transgender athletes from competing in school sporting competitions as the gender they identify with. Meanwhile, Republican-controlled legislatures in states across the country have introduced a range of bills addressing transgender issues. Critics raised alarms, contending that the legislation could prevent teachers from even recognizing or discussing the existence of LGBTQ individuals, and that it would undermine schools' abilities to support LGBTQ students. The bill bars teachers and school personnel from providing instruction "on sexual orientation or gender identity" in kindergarten through third grade. While many LGBTQ activists and Democrats attack Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill, and a spate of GOP-backed legislation regarding the transgender community in states across the country, prominent gay Republicans reject the backlash as "misguided."Īt the end of March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the controversial GOP-backed education bill into law.