This article is part of an opinion series from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) on issues affecting postsecondary attainment. The viewpoints and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of NCAN.
June is Pride Month, and the LGBTQ+ community and our nation as a whole has a lot to celebrate. We’ve come far as a country – just over two decades ago, same-sex marriage was legal in only one state. 10 years later, that number had increased to 50. Gallup
surveys have shown a steady increase in support for same-sex unions, from 50% in 2011 to 70% in 20211. From openly gay CEOs to presidential candidates, it’s clear that as a society, we’re more accepting of individuals regardless of how they identify or who they love.
However, now is not the time for the LGBTQ+ community and our allies to rest on our laurels. According to the Human Rights Campaign, a record 70 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been enacted so far this year targeting gender-affirming care for transgender youth,
drag performances, school curriculum and books, and more2. While cisgender LGBTQ+ individuals might feel secure and satisfied by the progress made in recent decades, transgender and nonbinary individuals, especially children and students,
are increasingly the target of social conservatives and religious extremists. Recent actions by red state governors and legislatures have shown an increased willingness to target all members of the LGBTQ+ community, often under the guise of protecting
minors.
In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte (R) recently signed the so-called “LGBTQ Erasure Bill” into law which bans LGBTQ+ individuals from
bringing claims of sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination, bans transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity, and requires certain official documents to list an individual’s gender as assigned
at birth rather than how they identify.
In particular, Florida has seen a slew of proposed and enacted legislation. Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed the infamous “Don’t Say Gay”
bill which bans public school teachers from holding classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity. In May of this year, DeSantis signed multiple bills that banned gender-affirming care for minors and severely restricts it for adults, forcing transgender individuals to use the bathroom associated with their sex assigned at birth and expanding the scope of last year’s
“Don’t Say Gay” law.
It Was Never About Protecting Children
Governors like Gianforte and DeSantis, along with their supporters, claim that recent laws are about protecting children and students. “We are going to remain a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy, and kids should have an upbringing that reflects
that,” DeSantis stated when signing recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. However, as research shows, LGBTQ+ youth face higher suicide risks than their straight and cisgender peers. The gender affirming care and education that many states have banned can
reduce those risks3. LGBTQ+ youth are also more likely to be bullied due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, a problem only exacerbated by hateful rhetoric and stigma4.
If these lawmakers truly cared about protecting minors, they would focus on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, regardless of who they are. They would listen to the parents of LGBTQ+ students who are pleading with them to stop creating a hostile environment for their children. They would address real threats to student safety, such as gun violence in schools.
Instead, governors like DeSantis are more interested in placating their most extreme supporters and funders on the far right, grabbing the attention of the national media, and trying to “out conservative” each other, all in an attempt to increase their
national standing as some prepare for the 2024 Presidential election. As is often the case, the victims
of this reckless and hateful behavior are society’s most vulnerable – in this case, LGBTQ+ children.
Resources for Educators
As attacks on LGBTQ+ youth increase, school staff and faculty are increasingly acting as a last line of defense against hostile state governments. However, there are many free resources and tools available for educators looking to make a difference:
A Queer Endeavor: This nationally recognized center for gender and sexual diversity in education works to build partnerships with districts and schools to create safer,
more accepting environments for LGBTQ+ students and their families.
AllyEd: This site features a podcast on how educators can become better allies to their LGBTQ+ students and families, a free course on media literacy and LGBTQ+ inclusion, a newsletter, and more.
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Founded by teachers, GLSEN has a plethora of resources for educators, ranging from educator guides to lessons plans
to a safe space kit.
Gender Spectrum: A searchable database of resources for students including support groups, events, and therapy.
Learning for Justice (LFJ): LFJ’s “Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students” is a publication that features guidelines
and teaching resources for creating a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students.
Pride and Less Prejudice: This organization donates LGBTQ+-inclusive books to Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms.
You Can’t Cherry Pick
Despite widespread support and acceptance of same-sex unions, our society has shown less acceptance for
transgender individuals. An increasing percentage of Americans say that whether a person is a man or woman is determined by the sex assigned to them at birth. A plurality of Americans say that society has gone too far in accepting transgender individuals.
Numerous Americans also favor the potential illegalization of health care professionals to provide minors with gender-affirming care. It’s clear that certain members of the LGBTQ+ community (i.e., cisgender individuals) enjoy higher levels of support
or acceptance compared to others.
This Pride Month, while you’re hosting events to celebrate your LGBTQ+ students or decorating your offices with rainbow flags, rejoice at the progress we’ve made as a society with regards to LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. Remember that the fight isn’t
over and that there are powerful individuals working to roll back progress. But most importantly, ask yourself if you have any biases or misconceptions about transgender or nonbinary individuals. Do all the students you serve feel comfortable and
supported, regardless of their gender identity? Is your organization really doing all it can for your transgender and nonbinary students? Pride Month is about all members of the LGBTQ+ community, not just a select few letters.
Email to a Friend