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The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill: Is it Protecting Children & Supporting Parents?

Updated: Jun 4, 2023

On 28th March 2022, Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed into law the Parental Rights in Education bill, known by most as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, a policy that has faced widespread controversy by critics, students and LGBTQ+ advocates alike.

This legislation forbids the instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to children from kindergarten through third grade, and prohibits such lessons for older students unless they are “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate”.


On a podium affixed with a placard reading “Protect Children/Support Parents”, DeSantis stated: “we will make sure parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination,” before signing.


In response to the passing of the bill, President Joe Biden tweeted: “Every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in the classroom. Our LGBTQI+ youth deserve to be affirmed and accepted just as they are. My administration will continue to fight for dignity and opportunity for every student and family — in Florida and around the country.”


According to LGBTQ+ parents and advocates, and paediatric psychologists, the bill not only stigmatises against the queer community but also affects the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth as it creates an unsafe environment for queer children. With the introduction of over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2022, state laws are attacking a community that already faces higher rates of bullying, mental illnesses and suicidal attempts than their cisgender and straight counterparts.

“You say it’s about ‘protecting kids,’ so what’s your plan to protect them? When rates of mental illness and suicide rise among LGBTQ+ youth, as they inevitably will, what’s your plan to make mental health services accessible? What resources are you gathering for LGBTQ+ kids who run away from home?” explains Matt Bernstein, an Instagram influencer, educator, and LGBTQ+ advocate, in one of his posts. “You don’t care about protecting kids. You care about protecting insecure parents who would rather harm their own children than confront difficult questions.”


“This legislation will not stop children and teenagers from being gay. What it will do is make it more difficult for children to explore, accept and embrace their identity,” states a Spanish queer high school student. “They may see queer relationships in public, yet because they are not exposed to the diversity of human identity and relationships at school or at home, they are going to either stigmatise queer people or feel as if they have to hide their identity from everyone. Having to face this type of trauma at such a young age clearly has repercussions. This legislation does not protect children.”


What is more, critics say that the Florida law is so vaguely worded that some Florida teachers have drafted a letter to send to parents regarding the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill:


Dear Florida parent/caretaker:


The Florida House of Representatives has recently ruled that "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students."


To be in accordance with this policy, I will no longer be referring to your student with gendered pronouns. All students will be referred to as "they" or "them." I will no longer use a gendered title such as "Mr." or "Mrs." or make any references to my husband/wife in the classroom. From now on I will be using the non- gendered title "Mx."


Furthermore, I will be removing all books or instruction which refer to a person being a "mother," "father," "husband" or "wife" as these are gender identities that also may allude to sexual orientation. Needless to say, all books which refer to a character as "he" or "she" will also be removed from the classroom. If you have any concerns about this policy, please feel free to contact your local congressperson.


Thank you, Mx. XXXXXXXXXX


The passing of this bill will pave the way to the creation of more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, leaving queer youth vulnerable to even higher rates of discrimination and prejudice. LGTBQ+ students from all around the US are standing on edge waiting for the next law that will strip them of their rights.


Aeden Alandete, 13/04/2022

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