Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is an issue in Arizona and other states. – The Arizona Republic
“Don’t Say Gay” isn’t really a thing, but the slogan perfectly captures the essence of Florida’s legislation soon to be cloned everywhere Republicans rule.
No matter what happens in the Sunshine State, the holier-than-thou conservatives have already decided to quash any talk about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
They’ll stop at nothing to get their way, and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appears poised to give them that major victory, which would boost his 2024 presidential aspirations among the right-wingers.
The Parental Rights in Education bill keeps teachers in kindergarten through third grade from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity and allows parents to sue schools or teachers who engage in such prohibited topics.
Critics are calling on DeSantis not to let Florida become the poster state of such “hateful” legislation that aims to erase members of the LGBTQ community.
President Joe Biden last month felt compelled to raise his concerns about it, writing on Twitter, “I want every member of the LGBTQ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”
Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally had the guts to speak out against the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation and pledged $5 million to protect LGBTQ rights.
Chapek said that if it becomes law, the legislation “could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families.”
That’s better than staying quiet — but still not good enough.
Politicians, big businesses and national groups must take a stronger stance against conservatives’ attacks on the LGBTQ community playing out across the country.
At least 15 states, including Arizona, are considering a host of anti-LGBTQ legislation that run the gamut from banning school instructions on LGBTQ issues to keeping transgender girls out of girls’ sports.
Arizona also has proposed legislation that would require schools to ‘out’ students to their parents, allow students to only use the bathrooms that coincide with their sex assigned at birth and ban physicians from providing gender-affirming health care to minors.
LGBTQ advocates:Arizona bill requiring teachers to ‘out’ kids to parents is harmful
Republicans control both the House and Senate by razor-thin margins, which means one or two Republicans can put the brakes on any or all these bills. I’d like to think not all Republicans are so evil as to want to make life harder for LGBTQ students.
It makes sense then to appeal to their humanity because whether they like it or not, not everyone is straight and cisgender and they should know that casting off members of the LGBTQ community from society will hurt Arizona kids and adults alike.
Don’t be fooled by the conservatives’ “parental rights” coordinated campaign. Their mission has nothing to do with giving parents the freedom to choose what’s best for their kids inside or outside the classrooms.
The “Don’t Say Gay” Florida legislation, for example, would have the opposite effect.
Backers say it’s about parental rights and age-appropriate sex education, which at face value seems reasonable since we’re talking about young kids.
But even if we were to agree that young children should just be coloring and learning the alphabet, the parental rights argument falls apart because the legislation only protects the rights of parents who are uncomfortable with the topic.
It imposes their prejudices on everyone else.
What about the rights of same-sex parents or those who don’t mind educators talking with kids about gender identity? What about the rights of children themselves who may have questions about it?
Don’t be fooled. The fight over LGBTQ students and “parental rights” is really about controlling other people’s lives, and thus requires a united front from anyone who truly believes in personal freedom.
Elvia Díaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.
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