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‘Don’t say gay’ Law: Florida should learn from the harmful legacy of Britain’s section 28

The parental rights in education Law, labelled the “don’t say gay”, also prevents teachers and school counsellors from giving support to LGBTQ+ students, without first getting permission from their parents.

Florida follows other states with similar statutes restricting classroom discussion of same-sex relationships or mandating that sex education teaches “honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage”. Florida’s statute also allows parents to sue school districts for damages if they believe a teacher has broken the law.

This Law has strong echoes of section 28, the 1988 law that prevented local authorities in the UK from promoting homosexuality.

As state schools were at the time led by local authorities, section 28 prevented schools from teaching the acceptability of homosexuality as a “pretended family relationship”.

Teachers believed they would lose their jobs if they gave advice and support to LGBTQ+ students, or challenged homophobic language and bullying. LGBTQ+ teachers were left in fear, believing that their identity alone was grounds for dismissal from their job.

The legacy of section 28 shows the long-term impact legislation like this can have on students and teachers.

Section 28 emerged from the Conservative party’s 1987 election campaign, based around family values and a “parents know best” agenda.

The Conservatives portrayed the opposition Labour party as pro-gay, and school teachers, who traditionally voted Labour, as a danger to children.

Florida’s law is similarly suspicious of teachers and advocates parental vigilance

https://theconversation.com/dont-say-gay-bill-florida-should-learn-from-the-harmful-legacy-of-britains-section-28-176955</div>