Florida’s hateful “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed in March of 2022. The bill bans public schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Florida’s reasoning for this is that it is “too inappropriate for kids of these ages.” What makes this bill dangerous to the LGBTQIA+ community and society at large is that these children are not receiving the needed education about these topics at a young age, and now, they most likely never will. Or at least in an intentional and inclusive way. Who knows this won’t spread throughout other parts of America?
Many of the same people supporting this bill teach their children Christianity, a religion that most certainly changes your lifestyle. Due to the Evangelical Conservative belief that “God hates gay people,” it makes sense why these people want this bill to be put in place. It is simply another excuse to teach their children to be homophobic. Not only do they assume that the LGBTQIA+ community is all about sexual topics, therefore it is “inappropriate,” this bill outs students who come out to trusted individuals at school to their parents! Keep in mind, these are the same people who say their 2-year-old son is going to be a “heartbreaker,” who’s being sexual now?
“I do agree that the people who want and support the bill are generally the ones who are Christian or have Christian beliefs. They probably think that avoiding the word and the concept entirely could somehow stir their child away from being part of the LGBTQIA+ community because they do not condone that life. I feel that in more conservative parts of America the bill can spread and become a mainstream thing in those areas. On the other hand, in California, Oregon, Washington, and other liberal places, the bill will stand no chance and will be fought by millions.” states Junior Olivia Allison. Though many states would fight against this unjust bill, many other conservative states would still adopt the bill, leaving those states dangerous for those in the LGBTQ+ community. “This bill focuses on getting rid of sensitive topics for kids in kindergarten to third grade… Allison continues, “it is disguised as a safe learning environment and education bill but really it is trying to sway minds away from the LGBTQIA+ community. They can do that by starting at the bottom. Like the kids that joined the “junior nazi” groups during the second world war. IF kids grow up believing something is bad or something is taboo or ignored they too will feel the same.”
The bill is “disguised” as Allison said. What seems to be “protecting the children” is doing more harm than good. The children will then grow up uneducated and ignorant, since the people making this bill do not want to see LGBTQIA+ represented anywhere, even in schools. And even if the bill only spreads to conservative states,
“It is very hypocritical, a lot of the supporters traumatize [others with] their religion, and is pretty much the opposite of letting people be who they are. If it spreads to a Southern state like Texas, which is known for being homophobic, it will ruin more kids/teenagers” says freshman Niko Andres.
As Andres stated, this bill does not let children be themself. All it does is poison their minds into thinking that the LGBTQIA+ community is disgusting, as their guardians believe. These are the children that are going to grow up into prominent figures in America, would we want to see someone with that mindset leading us? No one is hurt by knowing that gay people exist, or even by the mention of a male teacher’s husband when sharing about weekend zoo trips.
The LBGTQ+ community is furious that this hateful, restrictive bill passed and is currently fighting to get it revoked. Schools have had walkouts, cities have held protests, and gay rights leaders are speaking out against it. Unfortunately, we have to live with this horrific and hypocritical decision, until it is feasibly changed, and, we must continually watch as similar bills are passed restricting education and the sharing of diversity and truth. We can, however, continue to educate the children we know now and have optimism for the future generation.