Don't Say "Gay" At School

It appears that one of Louisiana’s state lawmakers is looking for a problem that, for some, does not exist. State Rep. Dodie Horton(R) of Shreveport has introduced a bill that, if passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, would “ban discussions of sexual identity” in the classroom. The bill also includes discussions of gender identity in certain classrooms. The bill, as written, states that "No teacher, school employee, or other presenter shall cover the topics of sexual orientation or gender identity in any classroom discussion or instruction in kindergarten through grade eight”. A second section of the bill states, “No teacher, school employee or presenter shall discuss his own sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through grade twelve.” The bill sponsored by Horton appears to be walking in line behind Florida, as its legislature recently passed what has been called the “Don’t Say Bill” that limits discussions of gay issues, especially gender identity. Is the bill needed? Where is the evidence that teachers in Louisiana schools are teaching “the gay agenda” to the state's youth? It started with banning books in the school library that hardly any parent knew were there or had ever read. Republicans across the nation continue to look for wedge issues to use in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections, with Critical Race Theory leading the way. That continues to work well with politicians running for office as it did in Virginia when a Republican won over a Democrat using the CRT argument. Not to be understated, writing/passing legislation directed at people in the gay community continues to be a “go-to” option from the Republican's playbook. The question becomes, how much will Louisiana Republicans get behind the bill when it comes up for discussion.

Horton defends her legislation by saying that it is not anti-gay as it doesn’t discriminate against them as some laws do when it comes to job protection and housing. A judge may not decide the bill, but it keeps the conversation ongoing. Horton says that her bill is limited to “discussions only” and that if adopted, it would help “school boards build policies" around it. That, perhaps, is the next battleground in Louisiana. School boards, especially in conservative areas across the nation, have been under criticism from those who want to weigh their influence over board members to take more stringent measures against the so-called attacks from liberal policymakers in the educational field. There have been arrests, fights, and canceled board meetings over controversial topics, to the point where board members and some teachers have opted to retire earlier than expected. Nonetheless, saying the word gay is prohibited no matter the conversation because, in Horton’s words, the students “need protection”.

Whether or not discussions are being held at the school level, Horton should be able to come up with facts and evidence to support her convictions. In the meantime, let’s give our children, no matter how young they are, the knowledge that each one of them is different and not just because of skin color. As children age, they know what attracts them to other kids. They don’t question why one is different in the way they dress or express themselves or why they may like being around one gender more than another. As they grow older, they will understand why some prefer what others shun. The word gay has defined a whole group of people, whether they are Black/White, conservative/liberal, rich/poor, as being the boogeyman. Soon, it may come to the point when conservatives will ban the lyric “don we now our gay apparel” from a popular Christmas song. Or worse yet, ban the word gay from the scriptures because it reminds them of gay people. Don’t laugh; it may be what some political leaders want, and they can make it possible.