A person is a person and should be treated fairly no matter who they like or how they identify themselves. All kids should be given the chance to share and recognize themselves, inside the classroom and out.
Well, in the state of Florida, grades kindergarten to 3rd grade will not get these opportunities. This is due to the new bill passed in Florida called the “Parental Rights In Education,” or most commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It was passed on March 8th, 2022 by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Essentially, the bill bans the talk of LGBTQ matter in schools. “This legislation bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade and prohibits such lessons for older students unless they are ‘age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate’,” according to ‘The Guardian’, a popular news site.
A problem with this bill is that it is extremely vague, and will cause teachers, students, and parents to fight over what the “line” is. Who will decide what is appropriate and what isn’t? According to Vox news, “Under current law, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill isn’t just vague, it is unconstitutionally vague.” This bill violates the First Amendment; freedom of speech. Students along with teachers will be stripped of their rights, their freedom.
Teachers cannot teach about anyone in history who is gay or part of the LGBTQ+ community; students cannot talk about themselves, family, friends, or anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+.
Although these students are young, we still shouldn’t look over the fact that they have minds of their own and they will be affected more than people realize. Staying in the shadows is painful and will harm kids’ mental health. “Pediatric psychologists say the law stigmatizes being gay or transgender and could harm the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth,” According to ‘The Guardian’.
All over the U.S., not only in Florida, students and parents have been expressing their hatred of the bill in the form of protests.On top of that, the White House has come out and said theydon’t approve of the bill. “White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Florida’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law reflects ‘misinformed, hateful policies that do absolutely nothing to address the real issues,’” as quoted by the Daily Advent.
People like you and me, friends, and neighbors have also stated their disapproval. “Sixty-two percent of Americans oppose such legislation,” in a survey conducted by ABC news.
The only way we end this is to revoke this outrageous bill. I call on Governor Ron DeSantis to make these necessary changes.
Love is love and we should keep it that way.
Dear Ciara,
I understand that this generation is getting used to the LGBTQ+ community, but I completely disagree with your claim. Florida is a hot-spot for retirement, my grandparents live there. This community is new and its hard for old people to understand new things, how could we possibly teach them? Also commenting on your sentence, “All kids should be given the chance to share and recognize themselves, inside the classroom and out.” Parents are parents and they decide what their children learn and do. At their age, they haven’t earned all their rights. If your dad said you could change your gender, then sure, but when you do it yourself at the age of 9, its unnatural. I understand your point of view, but I wouldn’t like to see it.
Sincerely, Colin W.
Dear CiCi,
I understand that you and others believe that we should remove this so called “don’t say gay bill”. Its not even called that in fact. Its actually called “Bill 1557, Parents Rights in Education Bill”. The “don’t say gay bill” term just spread a lot due to the media constantly using this title. Also In this sentence you wrote “This bill violates the First Amendment; freedom of speech. Students along with teachers will be stripped of their rights, their freedom.” How does this violate a students right of freedom of speech? In the bill, (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557) there was no mentioning that students can’t say the word gay. Instead it says that teachers can’t teach kids about gender identity and sexual orientation or to promote/encourage it to students. This doesn’t seem like a violation of freedom of speech. This bill is protecting parents of what they want their kids to be taught. Why is gender identity and sexual orientation even being taught in schools, schools should be focusing on a kids improvement so they can do well in life? At kids age kids don’t have their own rights until 18, according to federal law. So parents have the right to choose what is good for their own children. If for example your parents say you can change your gender or something then its ok. For a school to be teaching kids about a thing that a parent doesn’t want then that is wrong. We already seen this happen in history a clear example of this was in Nazi Germany when the Nazis purposely indoctrinated kids without parents knowing. I understand your views on this, but I just think there just all out wrong and what like Colin said, I too wouldn’t like to see it.
Sincerely, Connor Zhu
Dear Connor,
I completely agree with you. You couldn’t have said it any better way.