Written by Executive Director Heather Wilkie in collaboration with Jen Cousins, Chair of GLSEN Central Florida. Read the full article at Orlando Sentinel.
As students in Central Florida head back to school this fall, they are stepping into a confusing and crowded landscape of federal and state policies concerning sexual orientation and gender identity that is hard, even for fully grown adults, to navigate with confidence. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is refusing to abide by updated federal rules that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools and colleges. At the same time, new state rules approved in recent years are making educators, parents, and students’ heads spin.
This environment is particularly dangerous to the well-being of LGBTQ+ students and teachers and has negative consequences for all students. Central Florida schools risk losing access to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal education funding that helps pay for everything from books to programs, teachers, and support staff. The DeSantis administration is challenging in court the updates to Title IX, which now include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The governor’s refusal to comply could have a detrimental impact on students and teachers.
It is frustrating to see an attempt to prioritize divisive politics over what is best for children. The Biden administration’s updates to Title IX add strong protections for LGBTQ+ students in K-12 schools and colleges, making it easier for students to report harassment and discrimination.
Fortunately, there is also some positive news for LGBTQ+ students in Central Florida. The courts recently stepped in to clarify the application of the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law passed by the Florida Legislature, ensuring that it does not prohibit discussing LGBTQ+ individuals nor bans anti-bullying rules based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
But there is hope in our collective work as a community to protect and nurture our youth. You can do a lot as a concerned parent, student, educator, or citizen. For starters, let your local, state, and federal representatives know the importance of Title IX updated rules to create safer schools for LGBTQ+ youth. Attend and participate in School Board meetings and check with your school district about its policies to manage LGBTQ+ issues and how to file discrimination or harassment complaints. Several state and national organizations are investigating irregularities in the treatment of LGBTQ+ students in Florida schools. You may file a complaint online at the US Department of Education’s website at ed.gov, and you can also support organizations like Zebra Youth and GLSEN (national and local). But at the very least, please vote for leaders who support all children and young adults, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The full article was published in Orlando Sentinel on August 17, 2024.
