For Florida’s LGBTQ teens and teachers, the law is a moving target
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Loading... - Farida Reda
- 27 Jun 2024
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Florida's LGBTQ Teens and Teachers Face Increasing Challenges Amid Evolving Laws
18-year-old Aiden Cordero, a transgender girl, was suspended from Frank W. Springstead High School in Tampa for using the girls’ bathroom. Cordero had been using the girls' restroom for three years without issue, but a law signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023 now mandates that she use either the boys' restroom or a single-occupancy restroom far from her classes. During an emergency, she used the girls' restroom, leading to her suspension and exclusion from a senior trip she had paid for. This incident, combined with other anti-LGBTQ legislation, prompted Cordero to leave Florida for college in New York despite additional expenses.
The Hernando County School District declined to comment on Cordero’s suspension due to student privacy concerns. NBC News interviewed Cordero and others affected by these laws throughout the school year, revealing widespread confusion and increased hostility towards LGBTQ-related topics in schools.
Legislative Background
The "Parental Rights in Education" act, initially signed in May 2022, prohibited classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade. The law was expanded in May 2023 to include prekindergarten through eighth grade and restrict reproductive health education from sixth to twelfth grade, applicable to both public and charter schools.
Superintendent John Stratton of Hernando County directed teachers to familiarize themselves with the law and avoid displaying items related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Ian Wald, a teacher at Nature Coast Technical High School, removed a rainbow sticker from his desk following this directive, emphasizing that it was intended to signal a safe space for students, not to convert anyone.
Impact on Teachers and Students
Teachers, like Alyssa Marano, who identify as LGBTQ, felt pressured to conceal their identities due to the expanded law. Marano left her teaching job due to the political climate and returned briefly before transitioning to a marketing manager role. She expressed hope for a lighter atmosphere in her new position.
In March, a lawsuit settlement allowed students and teachers to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity outside of class instruction and permitted schools to establish anti-bullying policies and LGBTQ clubs. However, the settlement did not overturn the restrictions on using names and pronouns that don't align with birth sex or bathroom usage rules for transgender students.
Broader Legislative Context
Florida has passed several bills targeting transgender youth, including one restricting participation in school sports and another limiting gender-affirming care, which was recently struck down in court. Governor DeSantis plans to appeal this ruling.
Reports from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law indicate significant concern among LGBTQ parents, with many considering leaving the state due to these laws. Equality Florida, an LGBTQ advocacy group, reported increased fears and confusion among parents and families, citing rising bullying and the removal of safe space indicators and books from schools.
Future Outlook
Cordero, who graduated in May, chose to attend college in New York City, hoping for a more accepting environment where she can freely use women's facilities and dorms. "When I’m in New York, I’m going to be free," she said, reflecting the sentiment of many seeking refuge from restrictive and hostile climates.
The evolving legal landscape in Florida continues to create uncertainty and challenges for LGBTQ students and teachers, prompting difficult decisions about their education and future.
