Friend,
On July 1, 2022, House Bill 1557, commonly referred to as the
"Don't Say Gay" law, went into effect in Florida.
This law bans discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in
grades K-3 and restricts such discussions for students through grade
12 based on undefined standards of appropriateness. It also gives any
parent the legal power to sue districts they believe are violating the
law.
The law silences LGBTQ students and families, shames and stigmatizes
them, restricts their ability to access life-saving information and
creates a climate of bigotry in schools. All of us, and our democracy,
are irreparably harmed when people, and especially children, are
relegated, made invisible, and targeted for who they are or who they
love.
This hateful law cannot stand - so we sued.
On behalf of seven students and their parents, as well as CenterLink
Inc., a nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy organization based in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, the SPLC and co-counsel challenged the
constitutionality of the law in a federal lawsuit against school
districts in Orange, Indian River, Duval and Palm Beach counties.
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The suit argues that the law violates the right to free speech and
expression protected by the First Amendment and that it violates the
due process clause of the 14th Amendment, as well as the
amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
Jennifer and Matthew Cousins joined the suit as plaintiffs on behalf
of their four children in Orange County.
"This law will prevent our two youngest children, rising first
and third graders, from discussing their older nonbinary sibling in
the classroom for fear of their teacher or their school getting in
trouble," the couple said in a joint statement. "The law
also robs them of the opportunity of discussing their family like
other non-LGBTQ+ children. It's heartbreaking to know that my
children may be bullied because this law paints our family as
shameful. Every child deserves the right to celebrate their family in
the form that it exists."
In solidarity,
Your friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center
The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond,
working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy,
strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of
all people.
Friend, will you make a gift to help the SPLC fight for
justice and equity in courts and combat white supremacy?
DONATE
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