Texas and Florida Bills Limit LGBTQ+ Rights
BY JAYD KOEHLER — Staff Writer
In the latest reports, numerous states have passed or are making an attempt to pass bills that will ban talk about LGBTQ+ rights and Transgender childhood rights inside schools. It is hard enough to be an LGBTQ+ teen already and this bill will only make it harder on the youth in these states. Texas recently passed a bill about transgender youth that could stop transgender adolescents from getting supported by their families. According to the Texas Tribune, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state child welfare officials to investigate any reports of transgender kids receiving gender-affirming care as potential child abuse. This would mean that any child who is out as transgender and has parents who support them through therapy or help them transition would be subject to criminal charges. This includes anything from going on Testosterone or going on Estrogen, as well as any surgeries or hormone blockers.
Texas should have never been permitted to pass this bill and the governor should not be able to stretch the legal definition of abuse like this, especially since it is already hard enough to come out to one’s parents; this may prevent kids from feeling safe as well as comfortable within their own bodies. Not being able to go on hormone blockers or T/E will make transgender teens feel even more uncomfortable. They should be able to be who they are and able to feel comfortable in their bodies. After all, only they have to live in their body for the rest of their lives.
According to recent reports, worldwide transgender kids/adults are twice as likely to take their life or attempt to as the average cisgender person. Laws and actions like these will only increase that risk.
There is another bill that has been passed in Florida. The Bill is a part of the Parents Education Rights Bill. Proponents of the bill claim that it would give parents more discretion over what their adolescents can learn in school, and they say LGBTQ+ issues and discussions are not age-appropriate. There have been many peaceable protests in response to this bill. Students have been waving rainbow flags and different LGBTQ-related items. They have additionally been saying “we say gay!’’ throughout these protests.
“The language and the supporters of the bill and the rhetoric around the bill really shows what this bill is, and it’s an attempt to hurt queer humans like me,” stated Flagler Palm Coast High School senior Jack Petocz, who organized the statewide protests on social media and led his school’s protest in Palm Coast.
After the rally, Petocz stated he was called into his principal’s office and suspended “indefinitely.” Petocz stated he was punished for distributing 200 pride flags for the rally after having been advised not to do so by the principal.
I talked to many people throughout my school about these bills. Overall, a lot of people didn't agree with this bill. Few students said that they agree with these bills. A lot of teachers don't agree with this bill either. They said students should have a right to express themselves and be who they are because most of the time school is a child's safe place. LGBTQ+ students are having that taken away now in places like Florida and Texas.
What do you think of these bills? I have left resources below and added the links to the articles. If you ever need support, the teachers, trusted adults, or even trusted friends can help you. Don't be scared to be who you are.
For LGBTQ mental health support, call The Trevor Project’s 24/7 toll-free support line at 866–488–7386. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800–273–8255 or texting 741741.
