Youth Pride Association Condemns Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
Tallahassee, FL (January 24th, 2022) – The Youth Pride Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and fostering the acceptance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students in educational institutions, condemns the Florida House Education & Employment Committee for passing HB 1557/SB 1834 also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This bill would ban any classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The bill also contains several provisions that would effectively eliminate all LGBTQ support in schools. The bill has vague language that could be used to force school staff to disclose the identity of LGBTQ-identifying individuals to their parents without their consent, effectively “outing” them and putting their lives in danger.
"LGBTQ students are already disproportionately affected by depression, anxiety, harassment, assault, self-harm, homelessness, and substance abuse as well as increased disengagement and lower performance in schools. This bill would ensure that these significant disparities only increase in Florida schools,” said Cameron Bartosiewicz, President at Youth Pride Association. “Simply put, this bill is a matter of life and death for the many LGBTQ students living in Florida. By the passage of this bill, Florida legislators would effectively erase both the voices and the lives of LGBTQ students.”
About Youth Pride Association
The Youth Pride Association (YPA) is a national nonprofit organization working to promote and foster the acceptance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) people in educational institutions. YPA works to address the adversities LGBTQ youth face in schools through education, support, and advocacy.
Youth Pride Association's President, Cameron Bartosiewicz, is available for interviews.
(949) 755-7694
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