We Say Gay

Tuesday was a sad day in Florida as Ron DeSantis doubled down and signed the disgraceful "Don't Say Gay" legislation that has led to outrage among parents and young people, as well as major Florida employers, including Disney. We need to hold Florida State Senator Gayle Harrell and State Representatives Tony Overdorf and Erin Grall, all Republicans, accountable as well: all voted for the bill which passed largely along party lines in the legislature.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz said, "Make no mistake: by signing the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, DeSantis is taking the side of hatred, bullying, and discrimination, and sending a clear message to children in Florida that he doesn't care about them or their families if he can use their pain to score political points with his base." In evidence of that, DeSantis's press secretary, Christina Pushaw, in a despicable tweet, likened opponents of the legislation to pedophiles.

It is notable that DeSantis signed the bill at a charter school -- which is not affected by the new law -- so that he could evade public school students who have been protesting the bill. "Don't Say Gay" specifically bans public school teachers from using curriculum that involves gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through 3rd grade and only if age/developmentally appropriate in grades 4 through 12. For the record, there is currently no curriculum of the sort in K - 3rd but this legislation implies that any discussion of LGBTQ+ people is not allowed. This despite studies which have shown that LGBTQ youth face higher health and suicide risks than their straight peers, and that giving those kids access to spaces which affirm their gender identify result in lower rates of suicide attempts. Schools will apparently no longer be able to provide those safe spaces.

And the parental notification requirements of the "Don't Say Gay" bill further exacerbate the matter. The bill could effectively require teachers to "out" LGBTQ students to their legal guardians without their consent, regardless of whether they are supportive.

National and state organizations are already working to strike down the "Don't Say Gay" bill in the courts. Shame on DeSantis, Harrell, Overdorf, and Grall for their support of this appalling piece of legislation.