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Florida GoP rep Stan McClain blasted for bill banning 5th grade girls from talking about periods

The bill was introduced by Stan McClain to ensure only children in the sixth grade and above can receive sex education

OCALA, FLORIDA: A Florida representative, Stan McClain, came up with a new bill that would ban kids below sixth grade from having sex education-related lessons and would prohibit girls in fourth and fifth grade from talking about menstruation.

The bill was introduced by McClain to ensure only children in the sixth grade and above can receive sex education. This bill was then passed by a strong 13-5 majority. However, some of the other members shot their questions to McClain.

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What were the questions raised to McClain?

Ashley Gantt, a Democrat and state Representative, asked, "So if little girls experience their menstrual cycle in fifth grade or fourth grade, will that prohibit conversations from them since they are in the grade lower than sixth grade?" To which he responded, "It would." However, McClain also claimed that the bill can be given 'amendable' provision. Though the bill was passed, Gantt, who spoke to the media after the session, claimed, "I thought it was pretty remarkable that the beginning of a little girl’s menstrual cycle was not contemplated as they drafted this bill." The full title of the bill is House Bill 1069. This would ban sex education below sixth grade when children are 11 to 12 years old. The bill would also prohibit teaching about sexually transmitted diseases and human sexuality below sixth grade. Another Florida spokeswoman, Annie Filkowski said, "This bill shines a bright light on Florida’s political leaders’ perpetual thirst for power and control." Florida is currently on the way to prohibiting various gender-affirming care for children who identify as transgender.

The Internet quickly reacted to this bill and discussion. A user said, "Of my twin daughters one began her period at 10 and the other at 11. They were in 4th and 5th grade. Starting your period between 6-16 is normal range although most are probably 9-14 and 14 is late for most!." "It’s 2023 some men still think periods are witchcraft," wrote another. "So they want young girls to report their periods to the government and then not speak of them with their friends.," noted a user, while another listed out, "A) I'm a guy. B) Still, I'd bet dollars to donuts there's NO WAY you're going to stop young woman talking with each other about their periods! C) My wife agrees. D) What's his problem with a totally normal bodily function?."

One user stated, "The GOP really, really, really hates girls." "So creepy to be worried and thinking about what little girls talk about," said another. One comment read, "How will DeFascist know about their menstruation history? Does he know they’re the same thing?." Another joked, "Why not just prohibit girls to have their periods? Such a bother anyway. So much easier to outlaw then." "Stan gets... uncomfortable..... when ladystuff is discussed.," claimed another post.

A user asked, "Why do Republicans hate women so much? Why do women and anyone who loves women, ever vote for Republicans?." "My daughters had their first period in elementary. We already had discussions with each & they were prepared w/an emergency kit. But the schools had also had age appropriate instruction, which was reassuring. This type of fear-mongering over normal bodily functions is absurd," noted a user. "Here's a thought, @StanMcClain. Maybe 60 year old building contractors should stay in their lane and not write laws about the menstrual cycles of teenage girls," said another. "I know we’re uncomfortable talking about periods, guys, but making it illegal to talk about seems like a bad idea," said a user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.