Speaking out against HB 1557
The “Parental Rights in Education” bill, not-so-affectionately dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and formally known as HB 1557, was passed through Florida’s Senate on March 8. The bill is currently awaiting the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has previously expressed support of the bill.
This bill will prohibit any mention of gender identity or sexual orientation in the classroom, from kindergarten through third grade, all under the guise of protecting children. However, in reality, this bill will only protect the interests of homophobic parents who want to keep their children in the dark about the LGBTQIA+ community because of outdated or uninformed notions.
The bill’s language is purposely vague, especially in the newest revised version that passed through Florida’s senate. The specific subparagraph (HB 1557 lines 97-101) in question states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade three or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
This vague clause can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and will most likely be interpreted in a way that makes it so all grades are not allowed to be taught about gender identity or sexual orientation, despite only explicitly mentioning kindergarten through third grade. The unclear language of HB 1557 can, and most likely will, be used against all grades in Florida.
Additionally, the phrase “classroom discussion” is used in the bill, which differs from classroom instruction. Classroom discussion means teachers can’t discuss anything related to gender identity or sexual orientation even when it is not part of a lesson. In other words, if a child has a question about anything related to being LGBT, the teacher simply is not allowed to answer it.
The 2019 Climate Study by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) shows that having LGBT inclusive curriculum, openly supportive teachers and staff, and more access to LGBT resources in schools have positive effects on LGBT students of all grades. GLSEN has been doing climate studies like these for two decades, and the data shows that over time, schools are becoming more accepting of the LGBT community.
This does not mean all schools support LGBT students, nor does it mean all LGBT students feel affirmed at school at all times. However, schools that show more support for LGBT students, whether it is through more anti-discrimination policies, more inclusive curricula, or more openly supportive faculty, LGBT students feel safer, more included and more affirmed.
By banning any and all mention of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom, Florida schools will effectively make LGBT children feel unsafe in a place where they should feel unconditionally safe.
Things don’t disappear once they are no longer talked about. Queer people exist. We always have, and we always will. Banning discussions about LGBT topics will not make queer people go away. Queer people discover their identities at all ages, and having these discussions helps them become more comfortable with themselves. I think a lot of us might have even come out sooner if we had known from a young age that people could actually be queer.
Speaking for myself, I didn’t even know girls could “like” other girls until I was in middle school, and that knowledge was groundbreaking. It probably would have been more impactful if I had learned in elementary school that families that have two moms or two dads are completely normal and they should be celebrated just as other families are.
Furthermore, if this bill is used to impact all grades, queer students will be unable to openly talk to their teachers during instruction or in mere discussion about their identity, and maybe scared to do so privately.
I know that I would not be as comfortable with my identity today had it not been for the incredibly supportive teachers I had in high school who were open and passionate about their allyship of the LGBT community.
Banning the discussion of gender and sexual orientation will not make LGBT kids disappear. Instead, it will make them think that their feelings, and ultimately themselves, are wrong, invalid, or immoral.
The “Don’t Say Gay” bill will unequivocally harm LGBT youth in Florida. Regardless of their identity, children should be aware of the fact that people with different identities from their own exist, and that there is nothing wrong with not fitting in with the “norm.”
The sooner that we’re properly educating children on social issues, the more compassionate and understanding children will become as they grow up, which will ultimately benefit everyone.
