Florida Legislators Pass ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Florida state legislators have passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, which critics have retitled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It prohibits educators from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation with students in primary grade levels. The bill is set to go into full effect July 1, 2022.

The House bill states that schools “may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”

Though, the bill fails to mention specific definitions of age-appropriate students and grade levels, and it also prohibits all discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity (that isn’t cisgender or heterosexual, of course). The bill also fails to strictly outline support or alternative actions for LGBTQ students who are in need of the education and resources.

Ultimately, Florida’s choice to pass the bill glaringly abandons LGBTQ children and their parents, and not to mention the cis students who have no knowledge of their queer peers, or those with queer family members.

Governor Ron DeSantis, a supporter of the bill, believes it has merit essentially because it enforces heteronormativity within the school sector. By smudging out inclusive narrative, the bill erases LGBTQ students.

“We’ve seen instances of students being told by different folks in school, ‘Oh, don’t worry, don’t pick your gender yet, do all this other stuff.’ They won’t tell the parents about these discussions that are happening. That is entirely inappropriate,” DeSantis says.

DeSantis continues, “The larger issue with all of this is parents must have a seat at the table when it comes to what’s going on in their schools.”

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Joe Harding, is adamant about schools not inserting themselves in the personal lives of students. Rather, he wishes to redirect their focus on “math,” he tells ABC News.

“What we’re preventing is a school district deciding they’re going to create a curriculum to insert themselves,” Harding says. “Families are families. Let the families be families. The school district doesn’t need to insert themselves at that point when children are still learning how to read and do basic math.”

Problematic at its finest. Harding—like many republicans and ignorant cisgender heterosexual parents who support the “Don’t Say Gay” bill—simply dismisses the fact that this stance ignites ignorance amongst non-LGBTQ students and feelings of shame among LGBTQ students and students with queer family. This legislation teaches children that being queer is something not to be discussed, while their cis-het counterparts have free rein. This type of messaging can lead to mental health issues, ongoing trauma, and suicides among LGBTQ children who are taught they don’t belong or are somehow deviant as they are.

Let’s be clear here: Some children don’t have the privilege of strong family unit or support to receive information on gender and sexual orientation.

President Joe Biden shared his support to the LGBTQ community via Twitter, “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”

Today, conservative politicians in Florida advanced legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids. Instead of making growing up harder for young people, @POTUS is focused on keeping schools open and supporting students' mental health.
https://t.co/nn6nx8lLDD

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 8, 2022

Amit Paley, Trevor Project CEO and executive director, strongly disagrees with lawmakers’ decision to segregate LGBTQ children from receiving the same quality education as their counterparts.

“Lawmakers should be supporting LGBTQ students and their families and encouraging schools to be inclusive, not pitting parents against teachers and erasing the LGBTQ community from public education.”

Paley adds that lawmakers are being irresponsible dealing with LGBTQ students and inflicting damage on LGBTQ children through this bill.

“When lawmakers treat LGBTQ topics as taboo and brand our community as unfit for the classroom, it only adds to the existing stigma and discrimination, which puts LGBTQ young people at greater risk for bullying, depression and suicide,” Paley tells NBC News.

Florida lawmakers and the bill’s supporters were countered by more than 500 students who openly defied the “Don’t Say Gay” bill with a massive walkout in Winter Park High School.

#DontSayGay walkout at Freedom High School right now- sent to me by one of the teachers who saved me. ????️‍???? pic.twitter.com/2qp0cAkyfD

— Michael Womack (@MichaelPWomack) March 3, 2022

Even though Florida lawmakers will press forward with this bill, it’s clear that students refuse to allow these leaders to speak on their behalf.