Most notably, the Parental Authority Law in Education was enacted in March last year.don’t say gayThe law provides for “classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” for children through third grade and for education on these subjects “in a way that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for the student.” limited discussion.
But it’s not just young children who are affected by the new law.Classroom Speech Chills Across Florida, School Officials Fear Lawsuits Remove rainbow decorations or avoid certain topicsSome were frightened refer to one’s same-sex spouseJust last week, days before the children gathered in Naples, DeSantis released “Don’t Say Gay” from its current form. Official coverage for students in grades 4-12.
Another law allows Florida residents to challenge materials in classrooms and school libraries. lots of books Anything that discusses LGBTQ or racial issues is prohibited.the bookshelf cover them invisibly Its contents are awaiting review and approval by authorized officials.
But the most affected students in Florida are transgender or nonbinary children. In addition to the 2021 law Ban transgender girls from playing on sports teams For student-athletes assigned female at birth, Prohibition of gender reassignment medicine For transgender minors enforced from this month.
Under the law, 17-year-old third-graders Kayak who identify as transmass nonbinary will now be competing to start hormone replacement therapy in December, discouraging minors who have already started treatment. subject to the exception it protects
The combined effects of these attacks have left LGBTQ students like Kayak disappointed and sickened.according to 2022 Survey by Trevor Project, a suicide prevention non-profit organization, 45% of LGBTQ youth in Florida seriously considered suicide in the past year, and 16% attempted suicide. These rates are higher among transgender or nonbinary youth, at 54% and 20% respectively.
The Trevor Project points out that LGBTQ youth are not inherently more prone to suicide, but are aware that they are at higher risk due to social stigma and abuse. They reported that 74% of them had experienced discrimination in the last year, and 86% felt that recent politics had some or a significant negative impact on their health. Laws that protect children actively harm them.
“I’m just scared to be here because I’m becoming a queer adult. Going from a queer child to a queer adult goes from victim to ‘groomer’ to pedophile,” Kayak said. rice field. “As a trans man, I’m terrified of becoming a trans adult because I’m a ‘bad guy.'”
But the political onslaught isn’t over. Ten bills are still pending in the state legislature. ACLU identified Harmful to LGBTQ people, including Bill Restricting Toilet Use for Transgender People and bill in a broad sense It is, among other things, Demand detransition for all transgender youthParents seeking gender-affirming care for their children in another state could have their children removed from custody if this measure is passed.
It was for these reasons that GLSEN Chapter Director Shaw said the conference discussion on gender-affirming care was so important. Instead, nurse Mishya Nishioka, director of the Planned Parenthood Gender Affirmation Hormone Therapy Service in Southwest and Central Florida, advised interested attendees about hormone options, fertility maintenance, and legal documentation. We talked about updating the gender identity of
“A presentation for some of those children would save lives,” Shaw said.
