The passage of Florida HB 1557 prompts 300 Douglas students to participate in national 'Say Gay' protest

Posted April 19, 2022

By Ethan Donahue

Staff Editor

After much controversy, the Republican-backed “Don’t Say Gay” bill or Florida House Bill 1557, which bans LGBTQIA+ instruction in primary schools in that state was passed, prompting a nationwide “Say Gay Walkout” on April 2, that approximately 300 DDHS students participated in.

The contentious bill passed through the Florida Senate on March 8 and moved to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk who signed the bill into law on March 28. The law will take effect on July 1, 2022.

The proposed law, which is referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics, bans public schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” Though its wording leads to the worry that the ban will move to higher grade levels. State Rep. Joe Harding, a Republican who introduced the bill, told TIME in February that the bill’s intention is to keep parents “in the know and involved on what’s going on” with their child’s education, but many argue that the bill is discriminatory and an attempt to gain political support during a time of heightened scrutiny of what children are learning and the politicization of LGBTQIA+ rights.

“The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids,” said the state legislative director and senior counsel at the national LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Cathryn M. Oakley, in a statement. “The existence of LGBTQ+ people across Florida is not up for debate. We are proud parents, students, and teachers, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to exist boldly, just like everyone else.”

It’s been pointed out that Florida’s K-3 curriculum doesn’t currently include any discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity, so the law wouldn’t change any of the state curriculum. The legislation could also impact how teachers provide instruction on a day-to-day basis. At a Senate hearing on Feb. 8, Republican Sen. Travis Hutson gave the example of a math problem that includes the details that “Sally has two moms or Johnny has two dads.” ​​Republican State Sen. Dennis Baxley, who sponsors the bill in the Senate, said that is “exactly” what the bill aims to prevent.

Supporters of the legislation say it's meant to allow parents to determine when and in what way to introduce LGBTQ topics to their children. It also gives parents an option to sue a school district if the policy is violated. During a press conference ahead of signing the law, DeSantis said teaching kindergarten-aged kids that "they can be whatever they want to be" was "inappropriate" for children. He said, "It's not something that's appropriate for any place, but especially not in Florida."

The bill also, potentially, allows parents to sue the school district if they believe their children were provided inappropriate instruction about “sexual orientation or gender identity.” Advocates say that the broad wording of the law could open the door for lawsuits about instruction provided in grade levels higher than the third grade.

On March 4, DeSantis signaled his support of the bill, telling CBS reporters: “How many parents want their kids to have transgenderism or something injected into classroom instruction?” That same day, Christina Pushaw, a DeSantis spokesperson, tweeted that opponents of the bill are likely “groomers.” Equality Florida decried the comments, tweeting that Pushaw had said: “the quiet part out loud: that this bill is grounded in a belief that LGBTQ people, simply by existing, are a threat to children and must be erased.” The group has also repeatedly criticized DeSantis’ seeming endorsement of the bill, tweeting on Feb. 7 that he “is using anti-LGBTQ legislation as a springboard to serve [his] national political ambitions.”

It’s been speculated by LGBTQIA+ activists that the law would make classrooms unsafe spaces for children who are LGBTQ or whose family members are LGBTQ. Such children often already face increased rates of stigma and isolation. There are concerns facing student mental health and a speculated increase in bullying. Studies have shown that LGBTQ youth already face higher health and suicide risks than their cisgender or straight peers. When those kids are given access to spaces that affirm their gender identity, they report lower rates of suicide attempts, according to The Trevor Project.

Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project, said in a statement, "While I am saddened to see this harmful bill signed into law, I am inspired by the outpouring of support for LGBTQ students we have seen from parents, teachers, celebrities, and their peers,” said CEO Social support is vital for suicide prevention, and I want to remind LGBTQ youth in Florida and across the country that you are not alone."

Throughout Florida and the country, high school students have been participating in walkouts, protesting the Florida law.

On April 2, the roughly 300 students who showed up for the DDHS protest were clearly showing their pride. Many were carrying hand-made signs or wearing pride flags or clothing. Signs had statements along the lines of “love is love” or “you can’t silence us.” During the protest, there were many students who stood and spoke to the crowd about their personal experiences or in support of people in other states with a focus on those in Florida and Texas. Many chants begin, such as “we’re Douglas and we say gay” and “we aren’t a phase you can make go away.”

During the protest, the transgender flag was raised on the flag pole along with the U.S. and Oregon state flags. During this, the crowd chanted “put it up.” There were many student speakers focusing on the new Texas law, which pushes to have parents of transgender kids labeled as abusers if they attempt to get gender-affirming medical treatments for their child. Chants focusing on this included, “we won’t go away” and “you can’t stop us.”

The protest remained peaceful for the hour that it happened, students handed out water to each other and teachers showed their support. There were security members present at the protest, but they remained unneeded.

Multiple Florida teachers are speaking out against the law and have brought focus to the fact that gender identity and sexuality is refered too in school, but only CIS and heterosexual relationships. Country wide senators and state representatives have been spoken against the law and the connotations of passing said law.

Democratic state senators pushed back, including Sen. Shevrin Jones, Florida’s first openly gay Florida state senator, who told the legislative body: “To those who think you can legislate gay people away, I’m sorry. You cannot. I think you should legislate to protect them.”