Hawthorne Pride Alliance & Foundation Condemn Florida's "Don't Say Gay" Law - TAPinto.net
"We say 'gay'."
The Hawthorne Pride Alliance and its Foundation strongly condemns the most recent “Don’t Say Gay” law recently passed in the State of Florida, which will go into effect on July 1st. This law forbids any and all instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through 3rd grade, which effectually marginalizes LGBTQ people. NBC News reports that the bill’s preamble states that “[the law will prohibit] classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.” But later, the actual bill states that “classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur.” This language has left families and educators confused on what will actually be enforced with the passing of this legislation.
Mike Stracco, an educator and the founder of the Hawthorne Pride Alliance says, “this law, which sadly might be copied throughout the country, sends a message to our youth that being part of the LGBTQ community is wrong. As an educator, there are many students who feel safer talking to their teachers than their parents. At times, we, as educators, protect students from their parents. It is our job as educators to provide a safe, trusting space for students who wish to feel welcomed and accepted. Laws such as this one limit the trust between students and teachers.”
Human Rights Watch has documented how curricular restrictions harm LGBT youth in US schools. “These restrictions not only prevent students from accessing information that’s essential to their health and well-being, but send a discriminatory message that being LGBT is inappropriate or wrong. That message not only stigmatizes LGBT children but can tacitly encourage intolerance and bullying from peers from a young age.”
Other states are now proposing similar laws that prohibit discussion of LGBT topics. An article published by CBS Austin outlines the following:
- Indiana's legislators are looking to prohibit any discussions of 'sexual orientation,' 'transgenderism' or 'gender identity' in the classroom without permission from parents.
- A bill in Tennessee would ban any instructional materials that 'promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) lifestyles' in public schools.
- Another in Kansas would amend the state’s obscenity law to make classroom materials depicting homosexuality a misdemeanor.
In closing, The Hawthorne Pride Alliance and its Foundation provide resources and assistance to queer youth in the community in response to the growing national tensions arising as a result of this legislation. The HPA and its Foundation have established a mission to educate, celebrate, dedicate, and motivate members of the LGBTQ community as well as their allies, which is more important now than ever.
This fall, the HPA/F will produce and present The Laramie Project to further encourage acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The production centers around the town of Laramie, Wyoming, after the murder of Matthew Shepherd, one of the most heinous anti-gay hate crimes in our nation’s history.
Supporting educational productions such as this one is just one of many ways that people can stand with families affected by the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (and its copycats). The tragic story of Matthew Shepherd’s death is just one of the many examples of the dangers of erasing LGBTQ identities.
source: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hawthorne/sections/citizen-spotlight/articles/hawthorne-pride-alliance-foundation-condemn-florida-s-don-t-say-gay-law
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