Call to Action
Tell your local and state school boards, and state representatives that you want curriculum in K-12 classrooms that normalizes LGBTQ+ people.
Support access to gender affirming health care for all transgender people regardless of age.
In recent months, there has been a tidal wave of anti LGBTQ+ legislation. At least 17 states have sought, or are seeking, to control and censor school curricula, regulate access to healthcare, and eliminated trans participation on sports teams. These same issues are front and center in school board races, and gubernatorial and legislative primaries across the country. These proposals are part of a nationwide campaign orchestrated by virulent anti-LGBTQ+ organizations and elected officials pandering to the Trumpian base during an election year. It’s time to take action to stop this hateful agenda wherever it appears – your local school board, state education department, state legislature or the coming November elections.
This nationwide campaign began with a focus on trans individuals using public facilities and participating in sports and has quickly expanded to broader attacks against all LGBTQ+ people and their families. The current fights center on censoring mention of LGBTQ+ people in schools and denying health care for trans youth, but it is rapidly expanding with efforts to overturn the recently achieved rights to gay marriage aligned with the movement to overturn abortion rights. This is the first wave of a powerful, well-funded effort to reverse more than 50 years of progress in human rights and decency.
A few examples will suffice. Alabama has passed two bills banning transgender health care for minors and teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through fifth grade. Texas now regards gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth as child abuse. The “don’t say gay” legislation, which Florida governor Ron DeSantis just signed into law, restricts classroom mention of sexual orientation and gender identity and allows parents to sue teachers and school districts which do so. The bill's language discourages educators from all mentions of sexual orientation and gender identity at all grade levels. Legislatures across the country are considering similar bills to ban mention of LGBTQ+ people and issues in schools, to deny health care to trans youth, gender affirming care and to criminalize any action by parents to seek gender affirming care. Even in Colorado, with the nation’s first openly gay Governor, a Department of Education curriculum committee is backpedaling from its recommendation to teach age-appropriate lessons on the diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The results will be devastating for students, families, and society at large. Students and parents are forced back into “the closet” unacknowledged and unable to consult with school counselors or social services. Educators are put in impossible situations when making curricular decisions and supporting their students. LGBTQ+ teachers in particular will live in fear that they could be sued or fired for a picture on their desk or a comment about their partner. LBGTQ+ people suddenly do not exist in a central sector of society. Their official non-existence will legitimize those who wish to target and abuse them.
The loudest voices have been heard. It’s time for the rest of us to stand up as allies for the LGBTQ+ children, youth and adults in our communities. What is happening in your community and your state? Do your research and get to work - make “good trouble”!