Photo: CBS 12
Some Palm Beach County teachers spoke out at Wednesday night's school board meeting regarding new policies approved by the state Board of Education.
William Rizzo, a local middle school teacher, teared up as he shared his concerns.
"What are you going to do to protect me and all of the other LGBT teachers? How are you going to show us that you understand my plea and are actually concerned? And most importantly, how are you going to protect my students who now have no safe space to go to?"
The Parental Rights in Education law now stretches from kindergarten through 12th grade when it comes to banning the classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Rizzo doesn't say what school he teaches in, but his LinkedIn page labels him as a teacher and union rep.
He also heads up the Stallion Pride club at his school, which is a gay-straight alliance for kids in grades six through eight.
Rizzo tells CBS 12 News that there's been a decline in members.
"It is now required by law that you have parent permission slips for all your clubs and I've had students come to me and say they cannot get that parent permission slip. They can't bring it home. They're telling me that they are afraid their parents are going to kill them."
Governor DeSantis and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Junior says these new policies are about parental rights and protecting kids.