Graphic by Brenna Connell/OutWrite
Content warning: homophobia, transphobia, mentions of suicide
In March of 2022, Florida legislature passed House Bill 1557: “Parental Rights in Education” Bill, also informally referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. Signed into law in July of the same year, the bill was proposed as a way to strengthen a parent’s right to make decisions about the type of care and education a student receives in public school. Crucially, this bill prohibits the education of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms before fourth grade, after which it has to be taught in an “age-appropriate or developmentally-appropriate” way.
This vague wording grants Florida school districts power over the decision of when, if ever, sexual orientation and gender identity can be discussed. Florida has few federal laws meant to protect sexual orientation, but many that hinder the ability to receive gender affirming care. Therefore, it is highly likely that these topics will rarely or never be discussed in a classroom setting.
As expected, repercussions from the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill immediately began to surface. In a study done by The Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, out of 113 LGBTQ+ parents surveyed, 88% were concerned about the impact of the bill and 25% were harassed as a result of the bill’s passage. Children of LGBTQ+ parents have also begun to experience worsening harassment.
In May of 2023, its scope was expanded to affect K-12 public schooling. The bill now prohibits the education of gender identity and sexual orientation up to eighth grade.
At its core, this bill implies that being LGBTQ+ is wrong. It all but explicitly states that queerness must be kept out of the classroom.
This message is already negatively impacting students. In another study done by The Williams Institute, 46% of the 106 surveyed parents disagreed with the bill’s expansion and 12% reported that their children expressed anxiety about the situation and wished to avoid school.
In the 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People conducted by the Trevor Project, “[n]early 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation.” It was also reported that “[n]early 2 in 3 LGBTQ young people said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ people at school made their mental health a lot worse.” In 2023, 41% of queer youth seriously considered suicide.
Florida is far from the only state passing bills restricting queer education. According to NBC News, in 2023 alone, 75 anti-LGBTQ+ policies were passed across the nation, with 11 states such as North Dakota, Utah, and Arkansas enacting multiple laws limiting LGBTQ+ topics within the classroom. Ten bills explicitly limit classroom instruction on LGBTQ+ topics, and eight restrict which restrooms transgender people can use in schools and other public buildings.
According to the American Bar Association, “[s]everal studies report that an LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum promotes a positive school environment and student well-being.” By discussing queerness in the classroom, a more affirming space is created, helping queer students feel safe. In fact, “students in California who learned about LGBTQ issues at school reported less teasing and bullying of LGBTQ students.” Bullying is something that can be detrimental to an adolescent’s life; therefore, by discussing queer issues in school, queer students are less likely to endure bullying and the harsh consequences that stem from it.
Furthermore, having an LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum not only promotes better mental health but physical health as well. The importance of safe sex education has been noted by multiple experts because it is necessary for people to know how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, for many queer students the traditional way sexual education is taught in schools often proves to be less than helpful. An LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum could provide valuable knowledge in STI prevention, as well as protection and empowerment for queer (and exploring) youth.
Steps are being taken in Florida to overturn recent harmful bills. Three teachers sued the state education department over the “Parental Rights in Education” Bill. While this case was dismissed, it drew attention to this issue from the broader public. Walkouts have also been coordinated as a way to protest against similarly terrible restrictions, such as those targeting the ability for trans youth to play on sports teams. It is important to remember in times like these that no one is powerless.
Queer education is important. Citing the aforementioned Trevor Project survey, having a space that at the very least affirms queer identities can lower suicide rates. Being in a classroom that openly discusses queerness — whether about sexual orientation, gender identity, or queer figures in history — is enough to make one feel less alone. It provides a vital sense of community and acceptance. Every child has the right to feel safe and supported within their school. It is our responsibility to take action in whatever ways we can and make sure every voice is heard to give every child a chance. Queer education can provide so much more than just knowledge — it can save lives.
Credits:
Author: Melissa Vera (She/They)
Artist: Brenna Connell (She/They)
Copy Editors: Gabriella Silverman (They/She), Bella (She/Her)