Gay Camping Friends strongly condemns Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill which limits classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Gender identity and sexual orientation are a part of who we all are as individuals, and the censorship of something so intrinsic to us all at such a young age is dangerous.
Discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity is an important and necessary way to foster both a positive outlook of oneself as an LGBTQ+ individual as well as the knowledge necessary to be an informed and accepting ally. When LGBTQ+ people become the “other”, it opens up pathways to bullying, low self esteem, and suicide.
According to a The Trevor Project national survey, 42 percent of LGBTQ youths seriously considered attempting suicide last year. These numbers went to more than half for those who identified as transgender and nonbinary. Those who reported having at least one LGBTQ affirming space had lower rates.
What better LGBTQ affirming space could we ask for than the schools that millions of youth attend each and every day?
We urge Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the people of the State of Florida to reject this bill and what it stands for.
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Gay Camping Friends is the 5th largest LGBTQ+ group on Facebook and the largest gay camping organization. Gay Camping Friends works to reinforce and strengthen the gay camping industry by connecting LGBTQ+ outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels and recognizes that gay campgrounds are a necessary safe space for LGBTQ+ people around the world.
