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The Legislation
On July 1, 2022, the Parental Rights in Education law (HB 1557) went into effect in the state of Florida. Colloquially known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, it states 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 in accordance with state standards."
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According to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis "Parents have every right to be informed about services offered to their child at school, and should be protected from schools using classroom instruction to sexualize their kids as young as 5 years old," presenting an utterly false and menacing picture of elementary education in Florida.
Queerness is neither a danger nor a perversion - and these ugly fabrications incite dire consequences.
Florida's LGBTQ+ teachers and students are forbidden to discuss their own families at school. Teachers who fail to identify other teachers as potential transgressors can be subject to prosecution.
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In November 2023, Florida lawmakers introduced HB 599, which "[prohibits] employees... from being required to use, from providing, and from being asked to provide certain titles and pronouns." In this way, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has a vicious ripple effect that paves the way for newer, more draconian bills — According to Reuters, as of August 2023, lawmakers in 37 states have introduced at least 142 bills that restrict gender-affirming care.
Violence in the LGBTQ+ community has tripled in 2023 compared to 2021.
We need to act now.
