Florida School Board Rejects Measure Recognizing ‘LGBTQ History Month’

The measure was seen as conflicting with existing state law.

QUICK FACTS:

• A Florida school has decided against adopting the month of October as “LGBTQ history month,” in a move that pits them against the LGBTQ community.
• The Miami Dade School Board rejected the proposal on Wednesday night with a vote of 1-8 against officially recognizing the month.
• According to reports, school board members were worried that adopting the proposal would conflict with Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act.

The Miami-Dade School Board voted 8-1 against recognizing Oct. as LGBTQ history month. @WPLGLocal10 reports the majority of board voted against the measure after members said it conflicts with FL’s Parental Rights in Education Law – what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

— Jay O'Brien (@jayobtv) September 8, 2022

HOW THE PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL IMPACTED THE DECISION:

• Christi Fraga, a board member who opposed the measure told reporters, “I do believe this is in direct violation of our parental rights bill. If not so directly, in spirit, it is. Because this is saying a full endorsement in the entire district of this month — that includes kindergarten through 12^th grade,” she added.
• The outlet noted that “LGBTQ history month,” went beyond recognition and was “tweaked this year to explore the possibility of providing resources for teachers in 12^th grade social studies to teach about ‘important landmark civil rights’ cases.”

BACKGROUND:

• The controversial act has also been called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its detractors due to its rejection of LGBTQ teaching for grades K-3.
• The law prohibits any classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity through third grade which has been decried by many in the LGBTQ community.