A new school year has started in Florida, and with it has come the introduction of controversial new laws that silence not only the LGBTQ community, but the black community as well.
Florida Schools Kick off Amidst Unsettling Regulations
The return to school for students in Florida and the broader Tampa Bay region has been overshadowed by a wave of surprising new rules that have caught everyone’s attention.
Gender Rules Come Into Play
As the excitement of a new school year built up, students and teachers were confronted with a series of gender bathroom rules.
A Snapshot of the Startling Changes
Let’s break down the shocking new controversial rules that look to change the educational system in Florida.
Backward Bathroom Rules?
It’s now forbidden for anyone to use the bathroom of the opposite gender to the one they were assigned at birth.
The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Controversy
With the expansion of the “Parental Rights in Education” law, a contentious issue takes center stage, transforming the way gender identity is addressed in schools.
Consent Required for Name Variation
Parents now hold the power to grant or withhold permission for their child to be addressed by anything other than the name on their birth certificate.
A Silence Falls Over the Classroom
An unsettling change restricts teachers from discussing matters related to gender and sexuality, prompting concerns about the scope of education.
Parents’ Authority Amplified
Parents can now pull their children out of sex education classes entirely and challenge the content of the classes.
Removing Key Courses
The outright ban on Advanced Placement African American History raised eyebrows, censoring and disregarding black history for kids.
Society Steps Backwards
Public universities and colleges grapple with limitations on funding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, which some say is a backward step in the fight for inclusivity.
What Does the Future Hold?
The future is uncertain for black and LGBT rights in Florida schools, with the conservative government winning this school year.
Have Your Say
Is this a step backward for Florida schools? You can have your say on the hot debate by leaving a comment.
The post Florida’s New School Laws Spark Outcry: LGBTQ and Black Communities Face Bathroom Bans first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Caleb Oquendo. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
