Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida led 27 of their colleagues in a letter of opposition against two Florida state bills misleadingly titled “Parental Rights in Education” (HB 1557 and SB 1834) — aka the “Don’t Say Gay” bills.
This legislation would prohibit classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and pave the way for frivolous lawsuits by parents seeking to restrict the acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ identities in schools.
“I am deeply concerned about the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation happening in state legislatures across the country. The two “Don’t Say Gay” bills that are being considered in the Florida state legislature are particularly disturbing,” Cicilline said yesterday in a press release.
“This legislation, which would prohibit classroom discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity, represents a new line of attack against LGBTQ+ young people. Studies have shows that LGBTQ-inclusive curricula improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. Should this legislation pass, it would open the floodgates for additional anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida and around the country. I urge Florida lawmakers to drop further consideration of these bills and instead look for ways to make schools safer for young people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Cicilline.
The letter is co-signed by Reps. André Carson (IN-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Theodore Deutch (FL-22), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-45), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mark Takano (CA-41), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
Read the full copy of the letter here.
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