The Miami-Dade County School Board is currently deliberating on a proposal to officially acknowledge October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) History Month within the school district. However, this initiative is encountering resistance from certain board members who believe it may clash with Florida’s “don’t say gay” laws. Despite a previous endorsement of a similar resolution in 2021, the proposal was declined last year following the enactment of the contentious law.
During a recent meeting, Vice Chair Danny Espino and members Roberto Alonso, Mary Blanco, and Monica Colucci voiced concerns regarding the legality of the proposed resolution. They cited potential violations of the Parental Rights in Education law, which places constraints on discussions involving sexual and gender identity within the K-12 education system. Colucci emphasized the obligation to uphold state law, highlighting the potential conflict.
Board member Lucia Baez-Geller, however, defended the proposal, asserting that it aligns with the existing legal framework. She explained that she had introduced language to ensure compliance with the Parental Rights in Education law. The recently enacted HB1557, signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022, along with subsequent extensions, prohibits conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools statewide until high school graduation.
The debate also touched on the personal beliefs of Alonso, Blanco, and Colucci, who contended that matters of gender identity and sexual orientation are best addressed within the family unit rather than in a school setting. Colucci underscored the notion that these are family matters and parental rights, emphasizing the individual prerogative to introduce such subjects to their children when deemed appropriate. Baez-Geller responded by affirming the visibility and presence of LGBTQ+ students and the importance of acknowledging their identities.
The Miami-Dade School Board is set to deliberate further on the LGBTQ+ History Month proposal in the coming week. As discussions unfold, the clash between educational objectives and legal restrictions remains at the forefront of the conversation.