Mar 14, 2022
On the morning of March 8, moments before recording this episode, the Florida State Senate passed HR 1557, dubbed the Don’t Say Gay Bill. Pauline Green, executive director of the Alliance for GLBTQ Youth joined Power Station to break down the legislation and its potential impacts on students, teachers and school districts. She reported on the previous night’s hearing in which the sponsor was unable to articulate a rationale for the bill but worried that coming out is a result of social engineering. The Alliance serves middle and high school students in Miami Dade County with mental health counseling and services that affirm their sexual orientation and gender identity. It hones leadership skills and advocates for systems that support youg people. HR 1557, soon to be signed into law by Governor DeSantis, seeks to solve a problem that does not actually exist. It prohibits teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3, which is not done and allows parents to sue teachers and school districts. It is painful to see adults impose their ignorance on children. The Alliance will continue to uplift them and be a voice for change.