How popular is the Florida school law among Dems? When they only read the language.

I turns out that conservatives and liberals alike generally applaud the bill when they actually read what's in it.

‘Don’t Say Gay’ Is Popular? You Don’t Say

One poll shows backing from suburbs, parents and . . . Democrats.

By The Editorial Board, WSJ

April 1, 2022 6:16 pm ET

Journal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/Zuma Press Composite: Mark Kelly

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed the education legislation that opponents have dubbed the “don’t say gay” law. It prohibits “classroom instruction” on “sexual orientation or gender identity” from kindergarten through the third grade. Polite opinion is almost unanimously against, but open your ears to the vox populi.

“When Americans are presented with the actual language of the new Florida law, it wins support by more than a two-to-one margin.” That’s from a new poll by Public Opinion Strategies. Overall, 61% of people said they supported the “don’t say gay” law, with 26% opposed.

Even more notable is the breadth of that sentiment. Democratic voters in the poll support the law 55% to 29%. Among suburban voters, which could be a decisive group for the midterm elections, it’s 60% to 30%. Parents: 67% to 24%. Biden voters: 53% to 30%. Respondents who “know someone LGBTQ”: 61% to 28%. Those figures might come as a shock to Florida’s progressive activists, including those who happen to work at Walt Disney.

No poll is dispositive, and the surveys aren’t unanimous. Ipsos asked Americans in mid-March if they agreed with barring “classroom lessons about sexual orientation or gender identity in elementary school.” It found 62% opposed. Perhaps the public has since learned more about Florida’s law, or maybe people distinguish between K-3 and “elementary school.”

The way that Florida implements the legislation also could change minds. But so far the polling is mixed at worst. The current narrative around the “don’t say gay” law—that it’s needless cruelty to children, inflicted by Republican troglodytes—seems to be another example of how much the media and CEOs are out of touch with the public. Meantime, an Axios poll says Mr. DeSantis’s approval with Hispanics is up seven points since December.