Don’t Say Gay

4 IDENTITY CENSORSHIP

Article by Iris Lei Graphic by Jaidyn Holt

According to the Human Rights Campaign, 16 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were enacted in 2021, surpassing 15 bills in 2015. In 2022, the ght for positive representation of LGBTQ+ people now faces legislation intended to stop education about the community from happening. e Parental Rights in Education Bill, colloquially known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, was introduced by Florida Representative Joe Hardings and has paved the way for an uncertain future with its signing on March 8. According to senate.gov, the bill states that “Classroom instruction by

school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender orientation may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate in accordance with state standards.” If parents learn that an educator has violated this rule, the school district can be sued. e bill’s wording reveals that explanations of sexual orientation and gender are not the focal point; it is anything that could be connected to said topics. Reading a book about a non-heterosexual couple or a student mentioning their parents who are the same sex could cause a parent to take legal action.

Defenders of the bill are also quick to point out that it only applies to kindergarten through third grade. However, the text says “...or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate in accordance with state stan-

dards.” With this, the bill can be applied past kindergarten through third grade, and all grade levels are at risk of this censorship.

Not only this, but the legislation mentions state standards on sexual orientation and gender orientation, but such standards do not exist. As a result, teachers may be unsure of what they can safely discuss without any references to check.

While the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill will not directly impact Trinity because it is an independent private school, the question of what is appropriate for students to discuss in classrooms is still relevant. Private schools can apply guidelines similar to those for public schools, or parents would expect private schools to go along with nearby school districts. English teacher Hannah Parker worked in a Seminole County public school and did an internship at a charter school. From that experience, she knows how bills just meant for public schools can spread over to private ones. “I think that a lot of private schools tend to follow some of the mass expectations of public schools,” Parker said. “We see that even now with Trinity. We follow Seminole and Orange county calendars.” According to Parker, what the school decides to implement depends on the bill and what the bill plans for the future. At Trinity, while discussion of topics about sexual orientation, gender identity, or the history of the LGBTQ community are not a part of the curriculum, they can arise naturally as related to the subject.

In history classes, students are taught about Roman and Greek civilizations and how they were accepting of homosexuality in some contexts. In AP US History, LGBTQ rights arise as part of the overall Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. e bill could make teaching about ancient civilizations and time periods di cult, leaving teachers and administrators to navigate dangerous waters without guidelines. To avoid this, a school’s administration might tell teachers not to bring up homosexuality or gender in

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school “I think in literature classes, it’s so easy to talk about a wide variety of ideas and a diversity of topics. I don’t, as a teacher, do it through individual students’ “...or in a lives or my own life.” lives or my own life.” manner that is not age-appropriate or de- - Jay Jay Stroup, English teacher velopmentally appropriate in accordance with state stan- internship at a charter school. From that experience, she knows how bills just meant for public schools can spread over to private ones. “I think that a lot of private schools tend to follow some of the mass expectations of public see that even now with schools,” Parker said. “We the bill plans for the future. At Trinity, while discussion of topics about sexual orientation, gender

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The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill will isolate students, not protect them

class to steer clear of legal action from parents, which prevents students from getting all the information they need about the topic.

“I think in literature classes, it’s so easy to talk about a wide va-

riety of ideas and a 4diversity of topics,” English teacher and sponsor of Diversity Club JJ Stroup said. “I don’t, as a teacher, do it through individual students’ lives or my own life.” e legislation is worded vaguely, but its intent is clear: to scare teachers into silence with the threats and leave LGBTQ+ students alone in the dark, especially if their loved ones aren’t supportive. LGBTQ+ topics do not have to have an elaborate approach but rather as a normal concept similar to how society accepts heterosexual marriage.

“You don’t have to make [conversations about LGBTQ+ topics] complicated,” junior and one of the leaders of Diversity Club Lainey Wilemon said. e legislation aims to silence conversations about LGBTQ+ culture and history, but it also reinforces the dangerous belief that outside sources in uence LGBTQ+ identities instead of being an integral aspect of that person. It implies that anything other than heterosexuality is inappropriate for students and leaves LGBTQ+ youth with an increased feeling of isolation.

“[ e Don’t Say Gay bill] seems like an extreme reaction to changing American culture and society,” Stroup said. “It seems that when we

silence with the threats and leave LGBTQ+ have students alone in the dark, especially if their momentous loved ones aren’t supportive. LGBTQ+ topics change, there’s always a pushback.” do not have to have an elaborate approach but A lack of conversations about LGBTQ+ toprather as a normal concept similar to how soci- ics can have devastating e ects, as LGBTQ+ ety accepts heterosexual marriage. youth are already at high risk for mental disyouth are already at high risk for mental disorders and suicidal thoughts. According to orders and suicidal thoughts. According to the Trevor Project, a nonpro t organization focused on preventing suicide attempts for the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ youth are four

“You don’t have to make [conversations about LGBTQ+ topics] complicated.” - Lainey Wilemon, co-leader of Diversity Club times as likely to have suicidal thoughts and make a plan than their straight peers. It is essential to show students, even at a young age, that non-heterosexual and cisgender identities are conventional so they do not grow up feeling alienated. Aside from simply giving LGBTQ+ people a place to belong, classroom conversations about the community are hospitable to students with parents who are not heterosexual. According to e University of California, Los Angeles

have momentous change, there’s always a pushback.”

A lack of conversations about LGBTQ+ topics can have devastating e ects, as LGBTQ+

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(UCLA), 114,000 same-sex partners raise children in the United States. In addition, 24% of female same-sex couples and 8% of male same-sex have children. LGBTQ families exist, and the students part of said families need to understand that their family is no di erent from a heterosexual one.

“We have openly queer senators and legislators,” Stroup said. “We have students who at a younger age are feeling that they are comfortable enough to say ‘this is me,’ or ‘this might be me.’”

Denying students the chance to learn about their culture and history in a safe environment is a horrifying reality where they are told that being who they are is abnormal when they should be embracing their identities. Figuring out your identity is already a tumultuous path— and making the journey darker is cruel.

A PRICE FOR PRIDE

The human cost of rainbow capitalism

Article by Maddie Peckham Graphic by Sarah Lin

Hundreds of companies release their collections every year. A facade of support that covers for companies that don’t actually want change. Walmart’s “pride & joy” section on their website means nothing when they continue to donate upwards of $442,000 to 121 politicians who push anti-gay legislation.

Many companies will show their support by releasing pride collections or changing their logos rainbow for the month. en, on July 1 at midnight, all the logos change back to standard and the pride collections hit the clearance rack. Another pride month has gone by and no awareness has been raised for the people who this actually a ects.

“Well, I think we must understand that it’s a gesture of support, but gestures of support, nice words, visible images of solidarity aren’t always enough,” said gender and sexuality professor Karen Tongson at University of Southern California in an interview with PBS News Hour. “ ey’re often never enough, actually.”

Historically, companies with discriminatory policies in place rush to join the pride parade, but still refuse to change their own policies. PayPal, for example, changed its logo rainbow in support for pride, but won’t allow transgender users to change their account from their birth name.

Other awareness months aren’t nearly as capitalized o of. Pride month is much easier to package and slap a price on. e LGBTQ+ community has countless stereotypes that are easy to market, especially for a retail store. People see LGBTQ+ as amboyant and fashion lovers— combine these and that’s an easy fashion line to market. Other months, however, are much trickier to market. Bath & Body works in late January 2022 released a Black History Month collection which featured extremely stereotypical designs, patterns, scents, and colors. e collection immediately faced backlash from Black voices calling out the collection. So why do people accept LGBTQ+ stereotypes? ese cariactures are seen as harmless and that’s where the harm lies; amboyant fashionistas don’t upset or o end people, and LGBTQ+ voices are silenced to a point of ignoring these stereotyping with the goal of pro t.

“I think sometimes it’s saturated the market so much that what is supposed to be a celebration and an opportunity to learn and bring awareness becomes more of a fashion statement,” said middle school civics teacher Tatiana Mckinney. “But I think once it became an issue, especially for me, it was during the pride moments where there were rainbows everywhere, and people weren’t really aware of what each of the symbols meant, or why di erent groups use di erent things.”

Pride products aren’t entirely bad. For one thing, it’s nice to have people in the LGBTQ+ community feel recognized and for allies to show their support more openly. But this is a rainbow without the rain. People in the LGBTQ+ community have been scrutinized and hurt for decades and continue to be. Strides are made, but oftentimes, these aren’t enough. Systems and charities have been put in place to help people in the community and raise awareness, but if no one knows about these foundations, they can’t get funding, and can’t help anyone.

Companies that choose to release pride collections or even simply change their logo in support should be doing something to aid in change. Some of the pro ts from these collections should go to foundations like the Trevor Project. Oftentimes without proper research, companies that do donate end up donating to actively homophobic foundations. Disney has recently been under re for funding supporters of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill; Disney tried to balance this support by attempting to donate to the Human Rights Campaign where their donation was rejected. eir attempted donation was a blatant cover-up for their backing of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill— a bill that many feel discriminates against LGBTQ+ people and sets a precedent to avoid discussing anything beyond heterosexuality. e Trevor Project is a charity and research foundation aiding in suicide prevention within the LGBTQ+ community. Many LGBTQ+ youth feel a sense of wrongdoing when they realize their sexual orientation isn’t heterosexual, because society has set a standard of heterosexuality being “normal.” A majority doesn’t make something “normal”: it just makes it the majority.

Because of this, suicide rates in the community are extremely high due to feelings of alienation, feelings of wrongdoing, and bullying/ mistreatment. According to the statistics made available by the Trevor Project, 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth, aging 13-24, seriously consider suicide. It is estimated by the Trevor Project that at least one of these youth attempts every 45 seconds. Along with suicide contemplation and attempts, LGBTQ+ youth often use substances to cope; 47% of LGBTQ+ youth under 21 have used alcohol in the last year according to a 2021 study by the Trevor Project. Alcohol isn’t the only substance that was reported; 11% of youth under 21 have reported using prescription drugs that weren’t prescribed to them. ese youth are at risk because of the lack of real support. Companies simply changing their color scheme won’t solve these issues or make them go away.

“ ere has to be a point where there’s a message and intent behind what you’re actually trying to do,” said Mckinney.

If companies would place information around these collections, whether it be signs, posters, or even on the tags, more people who wish to support the LGBTQ+ community could do so through a new awareness. As beautiful as seeing the rainbow on so many people is, it doesn’t actually do anything to save LGBTQ+ people from harm, scrutiny, mistreatment, alienation, or feelings of wrongdoing. Real awareness requires real change.