Poder Latinx Condemns “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2022
CONTACT:
Jackie Smith | 989-576-1996 jsmith@poderlatinx.org
Poder Latinx Condemns “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
FLORIDA – On March 28, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education (AKA “Don’t Say Gay”) bill into law. The bill bans classroom instruction and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third-grade classes. The bill also allows parents to decline school-provided mental, emotional, and physical health services on behalf of their children, while being notified by the school if their child uses such services unless there is reason to believe “that disclosure would subject the student to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.”
The following statement is attributed to Nancy Batista, field director of Poder Latinx.
“As a mother of children attending public schools in Florida, I am saddened to see this hurtful, harmful, and downright homophobic bill that has been signed. It is a low blow for the Governor to use already vulnerable children as pawns to score political points in his attempt to land on the presidential ticket. There are so many other concerns in Florida’s public school system that have been demanding the government’s attention for years, yet Governor DeSantis decided to prioritize anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. He has built an alarmist campaign around an issue that we should be providing more support and protection for, instead of silencing and excluding our children.
I worry about the future of my children and their peers- I don’t want them to ever feel like they have to hide who they are or avoid seeking help if they need it. This is an attack on families and children that may not have adequate support at home. This will not stand. This is exactly why we need to vote and elect representatives in our community who actually care and advocate for the issues we care about, instead of just advancing their political careers. As midterm elections near, Poder Latinx will be continuing to mobilize our community to make it to the polls and put elected officials in office who denounce legislation such as this deplorable bill.”
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Poder Latinx’s mission is to build a political wave where Latinx communities, immigrants, and people of color are decision-makers in this country’s democracy.