AFT Condemns Signing of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill in Florida

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus and California Federation of Teachers President and AFT LGBTQIA+ Task Force Chair Jeff Freitas issued the following remarks after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law, dubbed “Don’t Say Gay,” that bars educators from discussing sexual orientation with young students. Similar legislation has been introduced in Georgia, and more than half of the states in the country have introduced legislation to influence school policy around LGBTQIA+ issues.

Weingarten said: “This bill—and all the ones like it—single out certain kids and families for derision and denigration. It is just wrong. Its intent is to divide our communities and make political hay, but it hurts children, hurts families and makes it hard for teachers to do their jobs. Make no mistake, this bill will have devastating real-world consequences—especially for LGBTQIA+ youth who already experience higher rates of bullying and suicide. And for teachers and school staff who work tirelessly to support and care for their students, this bill is just another gross political attack on their professionalism.
 
“Gov. DeSantis often speaks of freedom, but it turns out he’s only interested in the freedom of folks who agree with him politically. After two years of disruption, lawmakers should be providing more support for their students, instead of shaming LGBTQIA+ people back into the closet by policing their identity or stopping kids from talking about their same-sex parents. This assault on our children and on our teachers needs to end. Our organization will continue to work with parents, educators and their students to ensure our schools are safe and welcoming environments for all.”

DeJesus said: “Every young person deserves a school that welcomes them as they are. They deserve an inclusive and accepting learning environment to dream dreams and reach their full potential. What this legislation, and all of the ones like it, does is the exact opposite: It tells children that their existence should be silenced, and it punishes teachers for supporting the whole child. This is not the world we should be living in. Let this be a call for all historically oppressed communities to stand with our LGBTQIA+ family at this time—our struggle is one. We are in this fight together.”

Freitas said: “I want every LGBTQIA+ child to know—you are enough, you are loved and your existence matters. LGBTQIA+ students and educators deserve to know that schools will be safe spaces for them, and that they are welcome in every school and classroom. We, the AFT, stand with them to achieve this. LGBTQIA+ youth already face higher risks for bullying, depression and suicide, and LGBTQIA+ educators have been targeted by conservative groups in their districts, forcing many to leave the profession. How about instead of coming up with purposefully vague bills that only harm our students and educators, legislators focus more on supporting inclusive and tolerant education? Until then, we will continue to fight for welcoming, safe and supportive schools; in other words, the education our children deserve and the workplaces our educators need.”

A Message From Gov. Jared Polis Re: “Don’t Say Gay"

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill is essentially a complete ban on lessons of LGBTQ history and discrimination.

Let’s be clear: the Nazi persecution of gays and lesbians alongside Jews and others is part of accurate history, as is the impact of historical LGBTQ+ figures from Alexander the Great to Alan Turing. The effort to erase this part of our society is deeply misguided and harmful to LGBTQ+ kids and families.

If you agree with me that this antiquated bill has no place in 21st-century America, will you please add your name to my petition opposing this bill and standing with LGBTQ+ kids, teachers, and families?

ADD YOUR NAME

Drew, every child deserves to grow up knowing that they will have every opportunity to pursue their dreams — no matter who they are or whom they love. Kids shouldn’t ever have to feel like they must choose between succeeding in their life and living proudly as their true selves.

But legislation like the Florida bill, as well as the awful anti-trans policies we’ve seen in states like Texas, makes LGBTQ+ kids feel shame, stigma, and like they have nowhere to turn.

I will continue to call on Gov. Ron DeSantis and the other politicians pursuing these harmful policies to change course. In the meantime, here in Colorado, we will continue to make sure that all kids and families know that they are welcome here and never have to hide who they are.

Sincerely,
Gov. Jared Polis

Florida Senate Passes “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” Bill, Legislation Heads to DeSantis’ Desk for Signature or Veto

 Today, the Florida Senate passed the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill (HB 1557), and it now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for his signature or veto. If enacted, the bill would prevent teachers from providing a safe, inclusive classroom for all. It would block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. This bill would also undermine existing protections for LGBTQ+ students.

“The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids. The existence of LGBTQ+ people across Florida is not up for debate. We are proud parents, students, and teachers, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to exist boldly, just like everyone else,” said Cathryn M. Oakley, State Legislative Director and Senior Counsel at the Human Rights Campaign. “Discriminatory pieces of legislation like the ‘Don't Say Gay or Trans’ bill don’t solve any critical issues in Florida. Instead, these bills shamefully attack and endanger LGBTQ+ students who are just trying to get a quality education, whom the state has an obligation to treat fairly and protect. LGBTQ+ Floridians are more than twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to non-LGBT Floridians. Governor DeSantis must veto HB 1557.”

According to the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida, 49% of Floridians oppose the legislation while only 40% support it. Opposition for the bill is even stronger in younger populations. A majority of Floridians between the ages of 18 and 24 — recent secondary school graduates — disapprove of efforts to erase LGBTQ+ people in classrooms.

The legislative fight to pass discriminatory anti-transgender legislation has already been fast and furious this year, led by national groups aiming to stymie LGBTQ+ progress made on the national level and in many states. There are so far more than 266 anti-LGBTQ+ bills under consideration in state legislatures across the country. Of those, at least 125 directly target transgender people and nearly half of those (57+ bills) would ban trans youth from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity.

The Human Rights Campaign also opposes the “Stop WOKE Act” (HB 7), another dangerous bill that is currently under Senate committee consideration. If enacted, this bill would limit protected speech in workplaces with more than fifteen employees and classrooms by censoring honest dialogue about systemic racism, gender, and race discrimination. It would also change Florida’s employment discrimination statutes to give employees the ability to file discrimination claims against an employer engaging in trainings or discussions about Black history, LGBTQ+ issues, and other concepts of injustice and discrimination.