Florida men doing crazy things has become a normality for the state, but when these Floridians, like conservative powerhouse Senator Dennis Baxley, manage to gain political power and pass harmful bills, their ignorant actions can detrimentally impact millions of people. In promoting the Senate Bill 184/House Bill 1557 “Florida’s Parental Rights in Education,” better known as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” Baxley is forcing children into an environment where the mere mention of non-heterosexual people is prohibited and discouraged in all public schools. For those who do mention it, they risk being sued. 

It’s supported by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, who said it is “totally inappropriate” for teachers to have conversations with students about gender identity. This homophobic bill never should’ve seen the light of day because it could potentially risk lives, erase history, and silence important school discussions. 

Through completely barring the talk about sexual orientation and gender identity, Florida is essentially denying and disregarding the existence of the state’s LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer +) youth in a deeply prejudicial manner. This bill sends an appalling message to Florida’s LGBTQ+ community to the extent where many have claimed that it may increase suicide rates within the community who is already targeted by bullies, violence, and the media. The Trevor Project reported that “At least one LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13-24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the U.S.” This is a devastating statistic on its own and it could worsen if these students feel their existence is unacceptable. 

Furthermore, the Trevor Project also concluded that schools serve as a vital support system for LGBTQ+ youth, with 50% of them claiming they access LGBTQ-affirming spaces via their schools. For many children, school is the only place where they can safely discuss gender identity and sexual orientation if they’re not yet comfortable to do so with their families. 

Additionally, the bill also mentions that any teachers who overhear students discuss anything along the lines of being a part of the community must report this information to their guardians, hence forcibly “outing” the student if they aren’t already out. This community already battles high suicide rates, and if critical lifelines, like educators and counselors, are ultimately eliminated, the outcome would be devastating.

Consequently, Senate Bill 184 erases LGBTQ history in the sense that it can no longer legally be taught in Florida public schools to children who would otherwise not know anything about the subject. Learning about the LGBTQ+ pioneers, historical events, prejudice, and other subjects is extremely important in today’s increasingly diverse society. 

The Bill also deters important conversations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in school. When asked what teachers should say to curious kids who wonder why some of their classmates might have two moms or two dads, Senator Baxley said with a laugh, “You should say ‘ask your mom,” and added, “I don’t think it’s the responsibility of the school teacher to address every question.” 

Children are bound to ask questions about different families, cultures, and people, and by prohibiting teachers from answering these questions, stigmas will initiate and allow new generations to grow up believing that LGBTQ+ people and those with differing gender identities simply don’t exist and aren’t right.

Ultimately, this bill is disgraceful and a display of peak moral bankruptcy amongst political leaders plagued by homophobia and carelessness. If this bill passes, which it likely will, then the lives of countless students will be risked and mislead into believing a government-initiated homophobic agenda with devastating consequences.