By Meghan Serceki
Florida’s Senate Education Committee has passed a bill nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” which would ban discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in primary grades and would even have teachers notify parents if their child is questioning their gender identity or sexuality.
To be clear, similar laws have been around for years. There are major systemic issues in the United States educational system that take away queer students’ access to a safe learning environment. Many LGBTQ+ students face discrimination, bullying, a lack of resources, and representation in the curricula. A number of states actually have laws barring educators from teaching LGBTQ+ topics.
The Human Rights Watch asserts that these problems undermine “a number of fundamental human rights, including LGBT students’ rights to education, personal security, freedom from discrimination, access to information, free expression, association and privacy.”
The “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is yet another step in the wrong direction and puts LGBTQ+ children further at risk not only at school but also in their homes.
The bill is purported to protect the “fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children in a specified manner” all while ignoring the freedom and safety of the children.
First, like other states, it forbids teachers from teaching LGBTQ+ topics in their classrooms. Representation and discussion of these topics are key to reducing prejudice and hostility towards queer individuals, so even this restriction has devastating effects. But beyond this, the bill also forbids all staff from having these discussions, including the counselors.
Children who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity sometimes have few safe spaces to talk through the confusing things they’re working through, and school counseling should be a resource for them to be able to do this.
This bill would not only take this resource away, but it may also be used to notify parents if a student openly begins questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The clause about this is somewhat ambiguous, simply claiming the necessity of “parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being.” But, given the surrounding context and the clause that comes soon after specifically regarding discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation, human rights advocates are worried at the implications this has.
Arguably, with schools being required to disclose all information with parents, some children may be outed before they are ready or while living in an environment that will not be accepting of them. This puts them at great risk of retaliation and abuse.
This bill poses a great threat to the progress we have made in LGBTQ+ rights, and those who would be affected by its being signed into law need our help.Organizations like Equality Florida made a petition to oppose the bill, and you can contact the representatives even if you don’t live in the state. Your voice is important, and this bill sets a precedent not only for Florida but for the future of education in the United States.