Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation, dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, has sparked debate over its impact on children’s mental health. The law bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade and restricts such lessons for older students unless deemed “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate”.
LGBTQ+ parents and pediatric psychologists argue that the law stigmatises being gay or transgender, potentially harming the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth. Kelsey Hanley, a mother living in Kissimmee, Florida, worries that children with multiple same-sex parents or who are LGBTQ+ themselves will not receive acceptance in the state. Her daughter Stella, 10, attends a private school in Atlanta, Georgia, where her family of four mothers is accepted.
Child psychologists highlight that LGBTQ+ youth already face higher rates of bullying and suicide attempts. Laura Anderson, a child and family psychologist in Hawaii, said making the experiences of a growing percentage of the population “invisible and taboo is just so harmful and unsafe for all kids”. Natasha Poulopoulos, a pediatric psychologist in Miami, added that the law puts negative rhetoric around non-heteronormative identities, leading to shame.
Supporters of the law, including Terry Schilling of the American Principles Project, argue it is necessary to protect children from “radical concepts” and to include parents. However, the Florida Education Association contends that elementary teachers do not teach sexuality curriculum and that the law is a political wedge issue. The Trevor Project found that two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth say debates over such laws negatively impact their mental health.
