What We Say When We Don't Say Gay: How to Navigate Difficult Conversations
Equity Labs
DEIJ partner working with organizations committed to creating inclusive and equitable workplaces.
“While they are fighting for a bill, we are fighting for our lives,” said a teen at a Florida rally against the Parental Rights in Education Bill, otherwise known as the Don’t Say Gay Bill.
This legislation, which has passed the Florida Senate, aims to ban teachers from including discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in classroom curricula under the guise of putting parents back “in charge” of their children’s education.?
This bill is not only an issue about censorship and policing of educational material in school districts. It’s an attack on the LGBTQ+ community as this bill will limit inclusion, representation, and resources for queer youth, further perpetuating the stigmatization of an already marginalized group. We must remember that these conversations that may be deemed “inappropriate” by some, are necessary for the survival and wellbeing of others.?
“The world is watching. Do not erase our community, do not erase our history. It is always age-appropriate to talk about the fact that we exist, to see us. How are we fighting on this in 2022,” said Equality Florida Senior Political Director Joe Saunders.?
Instead of resorting to censorship - in our laws, in our schools, in our workplaces, and at home - we propose shifting our approach towards difficult conversations. We encourage people to embrace them instead of meeting them with resistance. Yes, we will face discomfort through dialogue, but our words have as much power as our silence does. Our words are outlets for productive conflict, and this is the magic of embracing difficult conversations.?
One way we can do this is by getting curious, naming what we experience, and asking others about what we're seeing and experiencing.
Want more #EquityTips on how to navigate difficult conversations? Read here: https://www.equityis.org/insights/strategies-to-get-equity-resistors-on-board
Source: https://www.wfla.com/news/politics/dont-say-gay-bill-passes-final-committee-stop-amendment-to-remove-text-targeting-lgbtq-fails/