One of the most insidious ways political parties have sought to criminalize LGBTQ+ identities is forbidding so-called “propaganda of homosexuality.” In March 2022, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, forbidding public school teachers from mentioning sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade (Diaz, 2022). DeSantis stated that the bill would prevent school indoctrination and the propagation of “woke gender ideology” (Diaz, 2022). It immediately garnered media controversy and has been dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by opponents. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill should not be published because it will put the mental and physical well-being of LGBTQ+ students in danger and normalize censorship in the classroom.
Firstly, the bill forbids students and staff from discussing their own sexuality or gender identity. It is a manifestation of structural transphobia and homophobia that prevents the formation of a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth and stigmatizes their identities (Jones & Franklin, 2022). Discriminatory bills have been confirmed to increase stress, anxiety, bullying, mood disorders, alcohol use, and suicide rates among already vulnerable LGBTQ+ groups (Mastroianni, 2022). Legislation such as “Don’t Say Gay” politicizes and dehumanizes LGBTQ+ youth, making them more susceptible to bullying, substance abuse, and suicide.
Secondly, passing such a bill inevitably leads to a cascade of similar classroom censorship. Various conservative states such as Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and Ohio have already begun advancing similar legislation to ban the promotion or normalization of LGBTQ+ lifestyles (Jones & Franklin, 2022). Once it becomes acceptable to censor discussion about LGBTQ+ identities in the classroom, a string of bills that prohibit teaching about racism, slavery, and the patriarchy will undoubtedly follow. Ignoring such issues is another form of conservative indoctrination that breeds ignorance and threatens American democracy. In conclusion, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill puts the lives of LGBTQ+ youth at risk and will inevitably cascade into other forms of censorship that lead to apathy, ignorance, and conformism.
References
Diaz, J. (2022). Florida’s governor signs controversial law opponents dubbed ‘Don’t Say Gay’. NPR.
Jones, D., & Franklin, J. (2022). Not just Florida. More than a dozen states propose so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills. NPR.
Mastroianni, B. (2022). Why Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is so dangerous. Healthline.