Desantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” bill claims newest victim

Mariantonia Mejia | Staff Writer

To no one’s surprise, the expansion of Florida’s homophobic “Don’t Say Gay” law has caused a queer, gender non-conforming teacher to lose their job. 

The already restrictive bill prohibited “classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity” from kindergarten to third grade. 

In May, DeSantis signed an expanded version of the bill which not only added fourth through seventh grade to the list affected but restricted the reproductive education given to sixth to 12th graders. 

The bill states that schools must teach that sex is determined by biology and reproductive function at birth. In other words, these reproductive roles are binary, stable, and unchangeable.

Not only is the wording of this blatantly intending to exclude trans people from the narrative, but it also ignores the scientific fact of people who are intersex, and do not fall under the category of “binary”. 

Most egregiously, the bill restricts trans employees of schools from sharing their pronouns with students.

The bill is already controversial for the incorrect teaching of science as “binary” and exclusion of intersex folks. However, its practical applications now actively single out transgender teachers for discrimination. 

This is shameful for any government to uphold.

The newest victim of this law, AV Vary, was a high school science teacher for Florida Virtual School who simply used the honorific “Mx.” in official communications with students, parents and staff. 

Vary attempted to negotiate with administration, offering “professor” as a gender-neutral option, but was denied on the basis of it only being used in college settings, rather than K-12. 

Not only is this completely arbitrary, but Vary states that they’ve been using this title for the 15 years they have been teaching without issue. 

Regardless of whether “professor” is appropriate to use or not, trans teachers should not have to jump through ridiculous hoops to live as their authentic selves. 

Particularly not teachers who have dedicated over 15 years of their lives to serving students. 

Vary filed a complaint earlier this month, stating that their civil rights had been violated. FLVS replied with a weak statement citing their need to comply with Florida laws. 

The very fact that this law exists is proof of the disturbing trend toward authoritarianism that Florida seems to be following.

Anti-immigration legislation, forced birth bills, permitless carry gun laws, bills that allow trans kids to be kidnapped from their families, and now student and employee discrimination based on gender and sexuality. All with Governor Ron DeSantis at the head. 

Varys’ case is also not an isolated one. 

In 2022, a middle school Florida teacher was fired for discussing her pansexuality with her class as well as offering a safe space for queer students to make art about their sexuality, which she later hung on her door. 

In June, a Florida teacher was investigated for the high crime of showing her students the Disney movie, “Strange World”, because it included Disney’s first openly gay character. She later resigned. 

To say that these laws and their execution simply result in the violation of civil rights would be a simplification. These laws were created with that exact purpose. 

I urge you to call your representatives and join local protests on issues that affect vulnerable minority groups in your community. 

We cannot allow our educators, whom we already mistreat and underpay, to lose their livelihoods over archaic matters of gender identity and sexuality.