Fascism in Florida? The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

This bill contains provisions designed to restrict what can be taught in schools. One of these clauses prohibits “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels,” causing the bill to be colloquially called the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” Discussion of topics pertaining to gay and transgender people will be prohibited from kindergarten through third grade; in later grades, lessons on these subjects must be “age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.” Although the bill’s language suggests a ban on all talk of “sexual orientation or gender identity,” it specifically limits discussion of LGBTQ+ topics. Governor DeSantis stated that he signed this bill because he feels that such subjects are “inappropriate” for kids.

The “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is dangerous for many reasons. It will result in a whole generation of Floridians who will not learn about the history of homophobia and transphobia in this country. If teachers are prohibited from informing students about the mistreatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community, students will grow up without an appreciation of the need for queer rights. Although this bill purports to apply only to students in younger grades, it could lead to more restrictive bills prohibiting any talk of LGBTQ+ people in school, and maybe eventually in government building. This bill could cause generations of people to become oblivious to the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Not only will  people not know about the LGBTQ+ community, and be cut off from critical conversations about identity, but due to a forced heteronormative education, future generations of students will see queer people as aberrant, resulting in a greater stigma for LGBTQ+ Floridians.

According to the Trevor Project, one LGBTQ+ youth commits suicide every 45 seconds right now. Given the pressures these youth already face, this number will likely go up if they can no longer talk about their struggles in school. This bill may lead to a fascist era of homophobia and transphobia in Florida that could become unsafe for any LGBTQ+ person and could result in a generation without any publicly queer people.

Teachers’ jobs will be made harder if they are required to educate young children without being able to tell the whole truth. For example, if a first-grade student asks a teacher why another student has two moms, is the teacher allowed to answer? If not, the teacher is failing at their job of being a true educator. The hidden intent behind the bill is to stop education surrounding LGBTQ+ topics. Teachers will now have to live in fear of getting fired or sued for teaching their students the full extent of humanity in all of its colors. Even though this law bans all talk of sexuality and gender identity, the state will not prosecute any cases regarding talk of straight or cis-gender people within the classroom, because that is seen as the norm. This makes Florida a dangerous place for any teacher, as they cannot fully educate their students, and for LGBTQ+ people, as their rights are threatened.

If laws like the “Don’t Say Gay” bill continue to be passed, America is doomed to become a fascist nation where citizens are stripped of their constitutional rights in the spirit of homophobia, transphobia, and hatred.