Cicilline, Wasserman Schultz Lead Equality Caucus Expressing Concern on Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bills
DATE: February 22, 2022
CONTACT: shawn.gaylord@mail.house.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cicilline, Wasserman Schultz Lead Equality Caucus
Expressing Concern on Florida "Don't Say Gay" Bills
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday evening, Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) led 27 of their colleagues in a letter urging the leaders of the Florida Legislature to oppose two bills misleadingly titled "Parental Rights in Education" (HB 1557 and SB 1834). This legislation would prohibit classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and pave the way for frivolous lawsuits by parents seeking to restrict the acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ identities in schools. The two lawmakers implored Florida's Senate President and Speaker of the House to not bring these bills to a vote on the floor of the Florida House or Senate. The Florida House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on this bill at 1:00pm today.
"I am deeply concerned about the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation happening in state legislatures across the country. The two "Don't Say Gay" bills that are being considered in the Florida state legislature are particularly disturbing," said Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline. "This legislation, which would prohibit classroom discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity, represents a new line of attack against LGBTQ+ young people. Studies have shows that LGBTQ-inclusive curricula improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. Should this legislation pass, it would open the floodgates for additional anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida and around the country. I urge Florida lawmakers to drop further consideration of these bills and instead look for ways to make schools safer for young people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
"The Florida Legislature's horrific LGBTQ+ record is about to somehow get worse as Republicans prepare to further chip away at LGBTQ+ rights by banning discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools," said Equality Caucus Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "The mental health of our LGBTQ+ youth already suffer from the relentless politicization of their lives. Those who are now considering whether to vote for this hate-driven bill must reckon with an all-but-certain reality: If this ‘Don't Say Gay' bill becomes law, its isolating impacts will ensure that even more vulnerable LGBTQ+ children will suffer, and some will die."
"LGBTQ students deserve to see their own history and experiences reflected in their education, just like their peers. The Trevor Project's research has found that LGBTQ students who learned about LGBTQ issues or people in classes had 23% lower odds of reporting a suicide attempt in the past year," said Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project. "Lawmakers should be focused on making schools safer for all students, rather than contributing to harmful stigma and marginalization among LGBTQ young people. Thank you to the LGBTQ Equality Caucus for speaking out against this misguided legislation."
The letter is co-signed by Reps. André Carson (IN-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Theodore Deutch (FL-22), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-45), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mark Takano (CA-41), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
Please contact Shawn Gaylord at 202-257-8416 or shawn.gaylord@mail.house.gov with press inquiries.
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.
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