Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Controversy Is Spreading

As expected, the new Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill has become a thing and is swiftly spreading to other states and pitting parents and conservatives against LGBTQ+ activists.

Gay Rights
Last week, the Florida State Senate and House each passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, which has since been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Under this new legislation, schools will be limited in teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom and these lessons “may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

The Florida bill will allow parents to sue schools or teachers that engage in these topics.

Proponents of the legislation say 5 to 8-year-olds are simply too young to be taught about gender fluidity and sexual orientation — and want those discussions to occur in homes at a time and age when parents think it’s best. However, LGBTQ+ activists say it’s imperative to teach kids who may be confused about their gender identity or attraction to their same gender that they are not abnormal and that they are represented.

“We know it’s not about parental rights,” said Jeff Graham, the executive director of the LGBTQ advocacy group Georgia Equality. “It really is about restricting the activities, participation, and learning of children in school.”

In short, the bill wants schools to simply not discuss or even use the word “gay” in the classroom, but activists want the terminology discussed openly, honestly, and early.

Now, the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill appears to be spreading to other states.

In Georgia, lawmakers are attempting to pass the Common Humanity in Private Education Act, which would prevent private school classrooms from being able to “promote, compel, or encourage classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the student.”

In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill that bans trans girls and women from participating in high school and college athletics, despite arguments that the bill was discriminatory and targeted a non-existent problem.

In Tennessee, Republicans are out to ban public schools from using any textbooks that “promote, normalize, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyles” in K-12 classrooms.

In Kansas, Republicans have introduced a bill that would effectively change the state’s current obscenity laws and make it a Class B misdemeanor to teach classroom materials on “homosexuality.”

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed the state’s child protection services that if they see any parent providing their children with gender-affirming care, they should immediately investigate and accuse them of “abuse.” Additionally, Tennessee, Iowa, and Oklahoma are each considering anti-LGBTQ legislation, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. 

So, what’s really going on here?

Are parents being anti-gay when they press to make it illegal for teachers to discuss gender fluidity or sexual attraction with kids under 8 or 9 years of age — or are they simply exercising their parental rights regarding what their kids should learn and when?

Are LGBTQ+ activists correct that it’s important to provide representation for kids who might be struggling with their gender identity or attraction to their same-gender friends — or is it possible these activists are overstepping their boundaries and disrespecting the role of the parent?

Are some states simply jumping on the Florida bandwagon to promote their own anti-gay rhetoric and ideas — or is it possible their legislative moves deserve a closer and fairer look?

Who’s in the right here??

OK WASSUP! discusses Gay Rights:
Is the Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill discriminatory?