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What are Anti-Gay and Transphobic Bigots Really Afraid Of?
They say it’s “grooming and recruiting” but actually, it’s their insecure sexuality
This week, Florida made it official. They are all-in when it comes to being the most homophobic and trans-panicked state in the Union.
With the legislature’s passage of House Bill 1557 — the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — and the Governor’s likely signature, lawmakers have put their fears and insecurities ahead of the needs of students and the interests of honesty, fairness, and equality.
By prohibiting teachers or counselors from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students before fourth grade — and even then, only in undefined “age-appropriate ways” — Florida has erased LGBTQ folks from schools, including many students’ family members.
Including many of the students themselves.
Since few grade school students would have received direct instruction on these subjects anyway, the legislation isn’t aimed at existing curricular units. Instead, what lawmakers are really looking to ban at those early grades are materials picturing same-sex couples, which have become more prominent in recent years. No more children’s books with two dads or moms, even though some of the students themselves will live in…
