Comic and pundit Bill Maher defended what he called the ‘kernel of truth’ in Florida’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay” bill: That “maybe kids that young shouldn’t be thinking about sex at all.”

On Friday night’s edition of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the host conducted his customary “Overtime” segment with guests Frank Bruni and Batya Ungar-Sargon.

The subject of the Florida law, which has passed both legislative chambers and is expected to be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and while Maher defended the bill, Mr. Bruni questioned the focus on issue:

MR. MAHER: OK, here we are, and over time, these are the questions from people is we wanted to talk about this on the show, I’m glad somebody asked This is Florida’s don’t say gay bill designed to trap Democrats into saying they support teaching young children about sexuality is the question. But we can broaden that to anything about that. I mean, I was reading about it today. It’s it’s I mean, if people don’t know, this is something DeSantis is about to sign. And I guess it’s a reaction to Republicans who feel that there’s too much talk in lower grades. I think it’s only they’re talking about kindergarten to third grade. So we’re talking about very young kids who, you know, as always with this stuff, you know this. It’s not like there’s no kernel of truth in that maybe kids that young shouldn’t be thinking about sex at all. I don’t think it’s specific. I think, don’t say, it’s not like you’re not allowed to literally not say gay, but they just don’t want teachers talking about it. They think it’s the province of parents. What do you think?

MS. UNGAR-SARGON: What do you think, Frank? I’m curious.

MR. BRUNI: I mean, that sounds reasonable on the face of it. I mean, I’m not. I’m not. My main concern, as a gay man who advocates for gay rights, is not that second-graders know who Harvey Milk is. That is not the key to LGBTQ equality. But I mean, I also question, I mean, is this really need to be at the top of these politicians list? I mean, this is a total it’s this is…

MR. MAHER: No, it’s a wedge issue…

MR. BRUNI: This is — this is not going to improve Floridians’ lives. This is not an urgent problem. This is a dodge. It’s another culture war that’s meant to score cheap, easy points rather than really solving Americans’ problems.

Ms. Ungar-Sargon argued the issue is about class, not culture.

Watch above via HBO, and watch the full “Overtime” segment here.

The post Bill Maher Defends ‘Kernel of Truth’ in ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill: ‘Maybe Kids That Young Shouldn’t Be Thinking About Sex At All’ first appeared on Mediaite.

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