We can always count on Florida to keep things interesting when the media runs out of new stuff to print. The state’s latest contribution is the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which was passed earlier this month. Some people have taken offense to the bill, leading to actions such as walkouts from some employees of The Walt Disney Company. This is, of course, completely ridiculous and useless actions in protest of a non-issue.
First, let’s take a look of looking at the bill. I know that many people prefer knee-jerk reactions to putting in the minimal effort to research, but I try not to fall in that category. After reading the bill, the proposed actions are full of common sense and just putting on paper what is probably already being practiced. The bill prohibits education about sexual orientation and gender identity to kindergartners through third graders. You read that correctly: children whose age is generally still in the single digits won’t be learning about sexuality and gender in school. Which is probably a good thing. If I remember correctly, I was learning cursive and how to count to 100 back at those ages.
Second of all, the whole point of the bill is to reserve the right of parents to control their kids’ education to a certain degree. Parents can still teach their kids at home about the nuances of sexuality if they are so inclined. It’s just taking it out of school. Which, again, isn’t a bad thing considering these students are probably having trouble tying their shoes still. Let’s be honest, children that age shouldn’t be exploring sexuality anyway. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe children shouldn’t be concerned about whether they are straight or gay—they can worry about that for the rest of their life. Keeping these discussions out of school (again, to children under the age of 10) is not a bad thing. I would bet that for the most part, these types of discussions are not happening at that age anyway.
One of the most wonderful parts of our country is our freedom to protest and our freedom of speech. That right reserved for us allows the Disney employees to “walk out” of their jobs in protest or ESPN to hold moments of silence. That right also allows us to recognize these morons’ actions for what they are and call them out on it. There are so many real problems in our own cities and states and the country as a whole that the effort to organize action could be used to effect proper change. Instead, these fools are going to continue to pander to the country as if they know what’s best. Carolyn Peck, an ESPN broadcaster, commented on the bill by saying “A threat to any human rights is a threat to all human rights” just before she and co-broadcaster Courtney Lyle took their moment of silence during a NCAA women’s basketball game. Good for them. I am of the opinion that pandering like this, scripted or not, is a threat and an insult to our average intelligence.
This bill does not condemn children questioning their sexuality. It does not call for open persecution of the gay community. It doesn’t threaten anybody. What it does is restrict what schools teach to third graders. It emphasizes the importance of teachers communicating changes in a student’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being to parents. All common sense stuff. Unnecessary bill? Maybe. Unnecessary protests? Absolutely.
Sources:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557/BillText/e1/PDF
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/espn-announcers-florida-bil-protest-b2039773.html
Bayou Observant 