Florida's "Don't Say Gay" Bill

March 2, 2022

I recently became aware of Florida’s attempts to push and pass the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.  I wasn’t 100% certain what this was about until I read this and other articles.  I quickly learned that Florida is attempting to eradicate not just the word “gay”, but also LGBTQIA history and any related conversations about all things LGBTQIA from K-12 classrooms.  

This goes against everything that Penny Lane tries to promote . . . awareness, acceptance, and equity.  Should this bill pass, children will not be able to explore their own sexuality in schools but will be made to feel isolated and dismissed.  Florida will not be able to empower and grow their LGBTQIA students but will be forced to ignore them.  

As I think about Penny Lane’s efforts to support our LGBTQIA I think of our work with EDGY where hundreds of people gather annually to learn how best to support this population.   I think of Embracing Identities, which trains staff, caregivers, youth, teachers and community partners with the LGBTQIA toolkit.  I think of the All Children All Families accreditation acknowledging PLC as a LGBTQIA affirming and accepting agency.  I think about our proclamation that love is love and all are welcomed here.  

No, we don’t live in Florida so this isn’t happening directly to us, but guess what?  It is happening to us because when one is treated unfairly, we all are.  At Penny Lane we are about building awareness, empowering others, and supporting each other in these efforts.  We are sharing this article with you because we feel that it is our duty to do so.  It is our duty to make you aware of these issues and it is our duty to act.  Sharing this article is just one small step we can take to stand up for what we know to be right.

-Judy Grant, Penny Lane Centers

Florida's 'don't say gay' bill is cruel and dangerous

-The following is an excerpt from the CNN article dated 2.12.22

Being an LGBTQ young person can be tough. Depending on where you live and whether you have access to a supportive community, the world can be a very lonely place.

Amit Paley
Joe Saunders

As leaders in two LGBTQ organizations, we've been astonished to witness the progress we have made over the last decade. But it's also clear that our community's increased visibility has led to a backlash. There are currently more than 100 anti-LGBTQ bills -- the majority of which target transgender and nonbinary youth -- moving through state legislatures across the country, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

One of the most extreme examples is a piece of legislation in Florida known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. It states school districts "may not encourage discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students." The language, which is vague and could apply to K-12 classrooms across Florida, could be used to prohibit open discussions of LGBTQ people and issues.

If passed, it would effectively erase entire chapters of history, literature, and critical health information in schools -- and silence LGBTQ students and those with LGBTQ parents or family members. It's just one of several divisive and dehumanizing bills in Florida that use LGBTQ youth as political pawns to limit conversations about gender and sexual identity.

*For the full article please click the link: "DON'T SAY GAY" ARTICLE


To our LGBTQIA staff, clients, and community, know that we stand with you.  We stand for inclusivity, for education and we stand for the rights of each and every person. We will not get bogged down in the verbiage of “empowering parent’s rights on education.”  We read between the lines and recognize that this bill is about oppression.  Haven’t we seen enough oppression enforced by unjust laws to make us want to do better for the next generation?

-Penny Lane Centers DEI Team