March 8, 2022
Florida has passed it's "Don't Say Gay" bill and is on it's way to being signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (Republican of course).
This bill officially known as the Parental Rights in Education Bill says that teachers cannot "encourage" classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.
It also says that parents can sue their children's schools for not following this new law.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dont-gay-bill-passes-florida-senate/story?id=83301889
Thank god I don't live in Florida but come to think about it, this brings the alt right/femi-nazi's closer to my hometown.
So why should you care about something like this?
For several reasons.
First, it's an erosion of the rights that we all enjoy. Sure, it might not affect you in your home state but unless you are checking on all state laws throughout the country, how will you know if LGBTQIA+ rights are being eroded?
Large trees are not felled by a single swing of the axe.
Right now there are more and more anti-trans bills/laws moving through local and state governments in South Carolina, Idaho, Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and Georgia.
https://freedomforallamericans.org/legislative-tracker/anti-transgender-legislation/
That's right boys and girls. A lot of states.
And you know as well as I know that when one group wins a fight it emboldens other groups to try the same thing or something similar.
Of course that does not even take into account the states that already have anti-trans laws on the books.
I know some of you will read this and think that this is all hype and nothing to worry about.
But take a minute and think about this.
It wasn't that long ago that gay sex was illegal or gay marriage. Crossdressing was also illegal in many states and was only changed in New York in 2011.
It was very recently that the Gay/Trans panic defense was overcome in many states but not all.
What should you do about all this?
First, educate yourself about the issues. There are tons of organizations who's sole purpose is to educate and organize people like you and me about these laws.
Second, get involved. Those same organizations, help them help us.
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
https://www.transgenderlegal.org/
Third, spread the word. You know people like yourself so educate them.
Working together is the only way we, the entire LGBTQIA+ family can grow, survive and prosper.
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