Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Legislation

Secrets

When something is a secret it is often perceived as taboo, bad, shameful, or illegal. If the secret were to be revealed, you would suffer as a consequence. If found out, you will be ignored, excluded, bullied or worse. Secrets such as being Jewish or Christian could mean persecution and death. Anne Frank and her Jewish family hid for 761 days before going to the concentration camps. Early Christians hid in the catacombs.

What did your family hide?

Spousal abuse, child abuse, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, drug abuse, job loss, history of incarceration, dyslexia, poverty, DUIs, gambling debt, STDs, bulimia? Was anyone in your family or neighborhood gay or lesbian?

“Don’t talk about Uncle Don. He believes in UFOs and aliens. No one needs to know your sister is pregnant until after she is married. Father Carl moved away. We don’t need to talk about him anymore. He is at a new church now. Adam and Reggie hold hands because they are best friends. Gloria is going to a spa for 30 days. Don’t ask her about it when she comes home. Your Mom just takes those pills to help her relax. The gummies are legal now, don’t worry. No one needs to know. Find something to eat in the frig and stay quiet, watch TV.”

Sound familiar?

Times Change

Times have changed so much that not only are Adam and Reggie still holding hands, now they are married. Ellen and Portia, too. The closet door opened.

There is no date in history marking the first homosexual’s birth. Gays and lesbians and all the folks in the LGBTQ plus community have been around forever, well as long as the heterosexuals. Being gay was a deep secret. You were in the closet, leading a double life, maybe wearing a red tie.There were secret places to meet. Fear of arrest ever present. But often hidden and forbidden, became Out and Proud. Times changed.

Not everyone is happy about this change.

Don’t Say Gay

This week in Florida, proposed legislation will force students and teachers to keep secrets. “Don’t say Gay” in elementary schools is not just about the children, their 2 mommies , 2 daddies, grandmothers, teachers. It is about instilling shame!

The word “gay” does not make anyone gay. Saying the word gay does not make anyone gay. Talking about gay people does not make anyone gay! Making laws will not stop or start anyone from being gay. It will instill shame and confusion and distrust and doubt.Schools should be a safe place. Right?

Parents

If your kids are straight, it is okay! Especially if you are accepting and loving. Same is true if your kids are gay. However, if you are anywhere on the Rainbow Flag, do not let laws, or governors or anyone teach your children to feel shame. Please do not go back in the closet. Next, only heterosexuals will be permitted to be teachers? and so goes the slippery slope to discrimination, secrets and lies.

Keeping secrets it turns out is not healthy!

Sometimes people work hard to keep these secrets and sometimes people just tell their stories. Sometimes we just give up the fight.

Information and education changed our secrets to discussions, research, community support, and openness.We are not all alike. We are humans having human experiences.We are diversity in all its forms manifesting beautiful expressions of what it means to be alive. Imperfect, vulnerable, evolving human beings.

Say GAY loud and proud, especially in Florida.