Florida education department removes webpage with links to LGBTQ advocacy groups, says under review

The Florida Department of Education has removed a web page with hyper-links to LGBTQ advocacy groups following inquiries by a state-level newspaper.

Department officials told the Florida Capital Star that the content on the webpage was under review. The newspaper also reports at least one Florida school district was using the resources on the department's webpage as justification for LGBTQ school activities.

When asked by the newspaper to show school policies that support advocacy of LGBTQ issues in middle schools, the Leon County School District provided a link to the state webpage with the external links to the LGBTQ groups.

The webpage in question originated in the state agency’s Safe Schools Department. 

The page provided external links to resources for educators, parents and students related to bullying. 

However, a number of the links redirected users to a website advocating for LGBTQ issues.

One of the links redirected users to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.

The roughly 31-year-old group encourages teachers to integrate aspects of the LGBTQ lifestyle with their curriculum and provides recommended policies and lesson plans. The group is also part of a billion dollar network that funds LGBTQ organizations, the Capital Star also reports.