Column: ‘Don’t Say Gay’ - A Death Sentence for LGBTQ+ Youth

Legislators in Florida, along with Governor Ron DeSantis, are signaling support to proceed with HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill. Source: NPCA

I am a queer man, but at one time I too was a young boy in a classroom. I entered middle school before gay marriage was legalized through Obergefell v. Hodges. My peers debated my rights in front of me, all the while I was closeted and afraid. I would have thought that nearly a decade later we would have embraced humanity and love. I assumed the days of having children hide in the closet would be on the decrease, but instead Florida lawmakers are attempting to banish LGBTQ+ affirming educational practices — further stigmatizing an identity that America has long neglected. I was wrong. Today, as I write this opinion piece, little children in Florida are being turned into political pawns.

Legislators in Florida, along with Governor Ron DeSantis, are signaling support to proceed with HB 1557, also known as the horrendous ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill. The provisions of the bill would bar the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in primary schools. This action by Florida’s government will only hurt Florida’s very own children. 

LGBTQ+ children face the highest rates of youth suicide out of any other respective demographic. In the United States, at least one LGBTQ+ youth attempts to commit suicide every forty-five seconds, making them four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Nearly twenty percent of the total LGBTQ+ population has attempted suicide. These youth need love, and humanity. Children do not shed their identities when they walk through the schoolhouse gates. 

Whether Florida’s politicians like it or not, they have LGBTQ+ youth too. These youth should know that there are others like them. History is filled with exceptional LGBTQ+ icons. These people are role models, heroes, and worthy to be taught in schools. Discussing sexual orientation is not a conversion program for straight children, but rather is an affirming and loving way of telling all youth that they too belong in society. 

Children are not born wanting to be ashamed of themselves, hiding in the closet, or ultimately desiring to commit suicide over their identity. Society makes them hate themselves. Florida should want to embrace and uplift these youth when they are at their low. But instead, they embrace their bigoted ideology. My wish for children in Florida is that they feel loved and accepted. Schools should be a safe place for them, not a breeding ground for hatred. The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill is hatred materialized. There is nothing dangerous from including LGBTQ+ topics in public education, but Florida has everything to lose if they ban it. Literal lives are at stake. 

The Don’t Say Gay Bill must be opposed. No child should be a victim of bigotry. 

Nicholas Berry

Carolina Political Review Staff Writer