School serves as a place for people to learn, but in Florida that’s prohibited.
In Florida, legislation passed a bill outlawing districts from initiating discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity. It doesn’t have a name, but it is referred to as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. This kind of bill does not belong anywhere in the 21st century.
Florida lawmakers should look no further than the first amendment. As a reminder, it states congress cannot make laws abridging the freedom of speech. The “Don’t say gay” bill actively prohibits discussions in school. Where is the freedom America promised in this bill?
Unfortunately, the constitution wasn’t enough to convince the Florida House of Representatives and Senate to vote against it. They claim it’s to provide parental rights in education. However, if parents are scared of the real world, they should provide homeschooling to their children.
This bill is just another attempt to sweep the LGBTQ+ community under the rug of American history. Children deserve the right to learn about the history of their country and the people who occupy this country.
This bill defies logic and should be a major red flag to the people. Think about it: congress banned education in school. This is like burning books in Nazi, Germany. Controlling information is something for dictators, not a so-called free country like the U.S.
The states mostly unite against this bill. Nearly half of Florida voters stand against this bill, while 40 percent stand for it, according to the Public Opinion Research Lab. Congress has a job: to represent their people. They should uphold their purpose and oppose this bill. It’s an insult to democracy to have it pass the Senate as well.
While this bill isn’t in Michigan, it still impacts the LGBTQ+ community across the world. After all, youths struggling to find their identity are listening to the news. They know what’s going on, and it’s scary. Every injustice leads to more, so it is vital to voice push back against this.
To ensure this hateful bill doesn’t spread beyond Florida, call government officials. Send an emails. Make them listen. This is important.