Florida’s ban on discussing LGBTQ topics in the classroom undermines constitutional rights and restricts self-expression
Critics have labeled Florida's controversial 2022 Parental Rights in Education law as the "Don't Say Gay" law. The legislation prohibits educators in grades kindergarten through third from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity due to perceived incompatibility with age-appropriate and developmentally suitable standards. Over the last year, the ban has been extended through 12th grade. Its extension coincides with a wave of anti-LGBTQ restrictions, including restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors and the use of pronouns in school.
Since the College Board manages Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology courses as opposed to Florida’s seven-member Board of Education appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, this prohibition on sections of the curriculum raises questions about the viability of teaching AP Psychology in the state. DeSantis has previously rejected the College Board’s new African American studies course, raising objections on the discussion of racism and “sensitive” topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement. The DeSantis administration is urging advanced, college-level course providers to review their offerings in order to identify potential violations, refusing to offer the course unless it is modified. In response, the College Board released a statement on Aug. 3, advising Florida districts not to offer AP Psychology until the decision is reversed while citing sexual orientation and gender identity as discussions integral to developmental psychology. This effective ban is estimated to affect more than 28,000 of the state’s students hoping to take the course for college credit. With only days until the school year starts, students are forced to decide between prioritizing their education and facing the consequences that might arise.
The bill is part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s cultural campaign for new yet familiar Republican representation sans the party’s figurehead in the 2024 presidential election. His push for “parental rights” in education seems rather bold, and critics believe the governor might be taking such drastic measures to increase his chances of being chosen over Donald Trump. While there is undoubtedly a political motive behind this decision, the harm the new bill brings goes far beyond the political realm.
The expansion of the Don’t Say Gay law is a blatant display of censorship. It is a “de facto banning” of LGBTQ+ people in public education, according to Broward School Board member Sarah Leonard. The law exacerbates the existing marginalization of the LGBTQ community within an educational framework already oriented toward heterosexual norms. It is setting the U.S. back by decades, restricting healthy discussions on self-expression and identity during a time when self-exploration and questioning are crucial. It vilifies teenagers trying to find their identities, parents seeking gender-affirming care for their kids and physicians who provide treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. In addition to prohibiting classroom instruction on LGBTQ topics, the new bureaucracy has introduced laws that explicitly bar teens from embracing their gender identity and sexual orientation. DeSantis stringently defined “sex” as “external genitalia present at birth” in a memo to district staff and banned transgender students and staff members from using bathrooms of the gender they identify with. Students wishing to be referred to with pronouns other than their biological sex must submit a form through their parents, leaving them no choice but to come out to their family if they wish to be addressed differently by their peers. Even if the permission slip has been issued, others may choose not to call the student by their preferred pronouns, further creating a learning environment that is hostile toward non-cisgender teens. This issue, coupled with the requirement that male and female reproductive roles are taught as binary and unchangeable, stifles the connection between transgender youth and their community.
Furthermore, many educators are afraid of including related topics in their lesson plans, even in health classes where the ban legally does not apply. Teachers are calling for more clarity and transparency, seeing as the dispute ended with an ambiguous letter by Florida’s education commissioner. Manny Diaz Jr. wrote on Aug. 4th that AP Psychology will remain in course listings as long as it is taught in an “age-appropriate” way, leaving it unclear whether any adjustments would be made or if teachers would be held responsible.
The introduction of the Don’t Say Gay law has ignited debates on censorship and inclusivity. It is a step back from progress, silencing important conversations about identity and self-expression during a critical period of personal growth. The law's restrictions not only marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals but also undermine the rights of transgender students and hinder their ability to connect with their peers and community. Despite the ambiguity and concerns among educators, the situation underscores the need for open dialogues and advocacy to ensure an inclusive and equitable education system for all.
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