‘Don’t say Gay’ Bill Creates a Lot of Fear Says Buttigieg and Paley
Share
Amit Paley, CEO & executive director of the Trevor Project and Chasten Buttigieg join appeared on ABC News Tuesday night to speak about the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” Bill after the Florida Senate passed it.
.@amitpaley, CEO & executive director of @TrevorProject, and @Chasten Buttigieg join @ABCNewsLive to speak about the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” Bill after the Florida Senate passes it.
“This bill creates a lot of fear.” https://t.co/23HKPocoYe pic.twitter.com/elqlBSHvCD
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 9, 2022
“Let us be clear: should its vague language be interpreted in any way that causes harm to a single child, teacher, or family, we will lead legal action against the State of Florida to challenge this bigoted legislation,” said local LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida in a statement.
It also said erasing the presence of the LGBTQ community from lessons implies students should be ashamed or should suppress their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Every LGBTQ young person deserves to attend a school that provides an inclusive, affirmative environment – not one that aims to erase their existence,” Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project, an organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, said in a statement.
Paley added, “We know that LGBTQ youth already face higher risk for bullying, depression, and suicide – and this bill will only add to the stigma that fuels these disparities.”
Legislators against the bill argued that students are aware of gender identity and sexual orientation at a young age, and schools should be allowed to offer safe spaces to discuss these topics.
“Instead of coming up with these vague bills, why are we not supporting the most inclusive, tolerant education and, and society that we can?” Democratic state Senator Tina Polsky said during Monday’s debate on the bill.
Legislators in support of the bill said that these discussions should be left to the parents.
