For decades, the LGBT+ community has been targeted through federal and state laws that aim at silencing and criminalizing members and allies of its community. Most recently, queer youth have been targeted by bills in Florida and a state directive from Texas’s governor.

Florida

As of February 24th, Florida’s legislature passed a bill commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill states, “sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate.” No definition is given for “age-appropriate” allowing for the standards of violation to be fluid, whether that may lean more one way or another. The bill also reserves rights for parents to sue the school district if they believe a school may be violating the law leading to many teachers having to tip-toe between the line of having inclusive spaces while not discussing the need for inclusivity. 

Texas

After a non-binding legal opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton stating that allowing minors to receive gender-affirming healthcare is child abuse under Texas law, Governor Greg Abbott posted a directive for “members of the general public” to report parents of transgender children to state authorities if the child may be receiving gender-affirming healthcare. Those who don’t shall “receive penalties for failure to report such child abuse.” After the uproar from families condemning both of Paxton’s and Abbott’s actions, President Joe Biden released a response categorizing Abbott’s directive as “weaponizing child protective services against loving families.” Biden also states, “affirming a transgender child’s identity is one of the best things a parent, teacher, or doctor can do to help keep children from harm, and parents who love and affirm their children should be applauded and supported, not threatened, investigated, or stigmatized.”

Queer Youth Walkout

In response to the rising legislative actions against queer youth, Enloe’s Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA), with approval from Enloe’s administration, has decided to join Queer Youth Assmble’s Queer Youth Walkout. As said by the co-president of Enloe’s GSA, Lindsay Templeton, “anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, particularly targeting children, has no place in America. Regardless of state, we the people will fight these horrendous policies.” Students and staff, queers and allies, of Enloe are invited to join the walkout by going to the football field on Friday, March 11th at 1:00 pm for 20 minutes. For more information, please go to @enloe_gsa on Instagram to follow for any updates and DM for any questions.