Explaining the menstrual cycle soon to be banned in Florida elementary schools?

Teachers in Florida may soon be banned from explaining how the menstrual cycle works to elementary school students, even to young girls who have started menstruating. 

Republican Stan McClain introduced a bill in the past week to ban any discussion in schools on topics related to sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality or reproduction before 6th grade.

“Does this law prohibit records on menstrual cycles, because we know that the average age [when a little girl has her first period] is between 10 and 15, so a little girl can have her first period in fifth or fourth grade? Would this law prohibit them from talking about it?” asked Democratic Representative Ashley Gantt during the study of the bill on Wednesday.

“It would,” replied Ms. McClain.

The elected Republican, however, hinted that he would be open to making amendments to his bill to allow exceptions, as in the case presented by Ms. Gantt.

Biological Gender

More broadly, the law seeks to require schools to teach that “gender is determined by biology and reproductive functions at birth.”

“Reproductive roles are binary , stable and cannot be exchanged”, is it described later in the legislative document.

The Republicans have passed, in the last year, several laws aimed at regulating what is taught in schools . For example, a law prohibiting talking about sexual orientation or gender identity was passed last year, while another limiting what can be said about racism is currently being debated in court.

Florida also passed a law last year preventing women from having an abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in exceptional cases. Lawmakers are now considering reducing that period to just six weeks, after which it is not uncommon for women to not even be aware they are pregnant.