But it seems that they are forgetting just how much young children understand about themselves.
Those in favor of the bill argue that elementary school children don’t understand the concept of gender identity and therefore discussion over the subject will only confuse them. It preaches the narrative that if you identify as anything other than cis-gendered and straight, your story and consequential treatment is an afterthought ultimately teaching children to ignore those different from them. This bill goes completely against this idea. Teachers instruct their students to live by the ‘golden rule” treat others the way you want to be treated. We start to form relationships with others based on what we have in common, but also with those different from us. These regulations have given the bill the name “Don’t Say Gay” by many of its opposers.įrom a young age, children are taught that school is a place where all individuals are embraced. It also prevents teachers from withholding information about ‘gender issues’ from parents.
If “Parental Rights in Education” is passed, teachers in Florida will not be able to discuss gender identity in a school setting. Within the general wording used lies the words, “prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels”. With school shootings running rampant in today’s society, a bill with safety measures for these scenarios should be important to adults.īut the true motives of the bill are hidden behind extreme blanket statements regarding the “parental rights” that its name suggests. When I first heard the name “Parental Rights in Education”, I assumed its contents would cover topics like overall safety in schools something that I thought would be a top priority for parents. It is currently on its way to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for final review and, if approved, will be effective July 1. A Florida bill titled “ Parental Rights in Education ” passed in the Florida Senate.