Today is a sad day in my home state of Tennessee. The Senate Education Committee approved SB49 with a vote of 6-3, banning any teacher in grades K-8 from saying the word “gay” or “homosexual” in the classroom.
Your first thought may be, “why would an elementary school teacher need to discuss these topics in the classroom?” But it’s not just about discussing the topic. The supposed reason for the bill, sponsored by Sen. Stacey Campfield (R - Knoxville), was to prevent homosexuality being discussed in a sex ed setting for young students. I don’t necessarily agree with that thought, but I can see someone’s point. One problem: no curriculum in the state has sex ed that mentions homosexuality. The spokesman for the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education both say that they have no knowledge of anything like this going on. But the language of the bill prohibits the words from being used at all.
What about all the kids who need to speak to a guidance counselor and can’t, but need someone to talk to about their thoughts on sexuality. Kids today seem to become aware of their sexual orientation at earlier and earlier ages. Even in the late 90’s and coming from a militantly conservative Christian family, I knew at 12 years old that I was gay, although I was too afraid to even admit it to myself. This can do nothing but exacerbate the issues that LGBTQ teens face today. I attempted suicide three times from 1998 until 2002 and I never felt I had anyone to talk to about it. But if a child is told that they’re not even allowed to use the word, what does that do to their self-esteem to not be allowed to use a word to describe themselves.
No good can come from this. And, unfortunately, in our currently Republican controlled house, it likely to pass when it comes in front of the full floor. I only pray that something can be done to stop it.
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