Opinion — How Gay Should We Be? LOTS!
The conservatives have persecuted women, the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who supports critical race theory. The last several years have been emotionally exhausting to say the very least. Not sure what people are drinking nowadays, but this judgmental, controlling, bible-thumping b-s has got to stop. In case you forgot, being a good Christian means you are not judging anyone. Period. Did you not get that memo? Right-wing conservative politicians are feeding into the social media judgmental frenzy with a boatload of laws that would stop the devil in his tracks. What word would I use to describe this? Endearing? No. Progressive? No. Oooooh. I know. I can’t type that explicative here. Those conservatives wouldn’t like that sh*t.
Right now, the man of my dreams ( can you pick up on the acrimony?) is Floridian Governor Ron DeSantis. I alternate between him and that craptastic Governor in Texas, Greg Abbot. Both are close-minded enough to have most people respond with a collective eye-roll. Is there an ongoing bet on who can be more offensive among our political leaders? Challenge accepted, said the Trumplicans. Following suit, DeSantis has done what we all thought he would do — sign a piece of legislation that would put more restraints on the education field. Then, as if they didn’t have enough to deal with, he banned several books. One is “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” a comic-style book discussing sexual orientation. He claims that it has “graphic images of children performing sexual acts.”
The thought of disturbing sexual images shown to a child IS appalling. But, I ask, did you read it? What is so revolting about it? Do you not think children will ask questions about sex? But unfortunately, they will not always go to their parents, especially if they feel embarrassed or judged. I had a friend disclose that her 10-year-old daughter was curious about sex after a discussion with her classmate, so she decided to do an internet search. Lo and behold, that young girl stumbled on some pornographic websites that would make even the far-left blush. Mom was livid, and that girl lost her internet privileges for a month. So, would it have been better for that child to have read that despicable (clears throat) educational comic by a teacher?
Now, DeSantis has approved a bill (called CS/CS/HB 1557: Parental Rights in Education) that tells them what they do already? Defer to parents when making decisions about their child? By Jove, you’re right, DeSantis! The upbringing of a child should be the responsibility of their parents. Parents have the right to send their children to a private or public school. They can choose to homeschool. They can decide if they want to have their child read a comic regarding sexual orientation in a school setting or not. This is not news to anyone who has children who go to school. But, DeSantis, did you know that teachers already defer student-related decisions to the parents? Did you also know that teachers have parents sign authorizations up the wazoo at schools? Teachers don’t get paid nearly enough for all the emotional baggage parents (and politicians) put on them.
The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill (Is it ironic, don’t you think?) doesn’t have the word “gay” mentioned at all, along with several missing items that leave me perplexed. For instance, take a gander at this section — “ Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” First, who is teaching sex education to this particular age group in the first place? It’s not a thing. Although, it’s not explicitly saying that you can’t bring up discussing sexual orientation you have to gear it towards the age group that you’re teaching. Interesting. So, is that where that comic that discusses sexual orientation you banned comes into play? It’s preposterous the hoops we make teachers go through to teach a child. This ambiguous law requires “ district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with certain provisions of law for notifying a student’s parent of specified information.” I said it before and I will say it again. Wouldn’t they need a parent to sign an authorization anyway? Somewhat redundant. I don’t understand how this bill is constitutional. You created a more accessible route to suing a school district for anything you might consider offensive. Hey, DeSantis, property taxes go up to offset the costs when you sue a public school. Those taxes pay for teacher’s salaries, yadda yadda yadda. Did you think about that part? No. That’s the Democrats’ fault? If the purpose behind this law was just to get a reaction, then you achieved it. Other than that, there is no basis for this law.
I’m tired of the divisiveness. I’m tired of the LGBTQ+ community not feeling heard. I’m tired of people being persecuted for speaking to their true selves. It’s hard enough as it is for a child who is coming to terms with their sexuality. How dare you make them feel repressed because you are. Educators should make a child feel safe and protected when these children don’t always feel that way at home. Did you take that into account? No, DeSantis, you didn’t. You are only hearing what you want to hear. The sound of your own hateful voice. That’s so gay. Anyway, have a GAY day!
Originally published at https://mersuniverse.wordpress.com on April 7, 2022.
