Teacher maliciously complies with 'Don't Say Gay' bill, to use they/them pronouns for all kids

One teacher has vowed not to use any form of gendered language in classrooms, sending those who championed Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill into a tizzy. While the people who wrote the bill prohibited the use of sexual orientation or gendered language in the classroom, it seems they didn't consider that also includes any reference to straight, cisgender people, reported God.DailyDot. It's no secret that Republican politicians have been complaining about the use of inclusive language in classrooms, and advocates accused the bill of targeting the LGBTQ community. A teacher has now shared a guide that maliciously complies with the law and it's already upsetting the people who celebrated the "Don't Say Gay" bill. 

It was the far-right organization "Moms for Liberty" that revealed teachers in Palm Beach County, Florida planned to take Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law literally and foil the intention of the bill's sponsors. The conservative group claimed teachers are refusing to use any form of gendered language in their classrooms and said they would use the pronouns they/them for all kids. The group posted the note purportedly shared by a teacher, and it read: 

"Dear Florida parent/caretaker: The Florida House of Representatives has recently ruled that "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students." To be in accordance with this policy, I will no longer be referring to your student with gendered pronouns. All students will be referred to as "they" or "them." I will no longer use a gendered title such as "Mr." or "Mrs." or make any references to my husband/wife in the classroom. From now on I will be using the nongendered title "Mx." Furthermore, I will be removing all books or instructions which refer to a person being a "mother," "father," "husband" or "wife" as these are gender identities that also may allude to sexual orientation. Needless to say, all books which refer to a character as "he" or "she" will also be removed from the classroom. If you have any concerns about this policy, please feel free to contact your local congressperson. Thank you, Mx. XXXXXXXXXX"

Moms for Liberty shared the post and wrote, “Attention Parents! 🚨. A teacher in Palm Beach County, FL shared this template with us. It is being shared among teachers to use for grades K-3. How do you feel about this? What will you do when this arrives home in your child’s backpack? Time to take a Stand.” It was only last week that Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Florida’s H.B. 1557 that critics have dubbed the "Don’t Say Gay" bill. 

Many said the supporters of the bill had it coming to them. "This is what you wanted," replied one person. "It seems a pretty straightforward and reasonable response to massive political overreach," commented another. "Smart move by the teacher to protect themselves against lawsuits," wrote one person.

The bill prohibits “classroom instruction ... on sexual orientation or gender identity” in “kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.” The law also allows parents to sue school districts for breaking this law. The law has been labeled hateful by many critics including the White House. "It is certainly something that is not helping, you know, young people who are members of the LGBTQI+ community who are already vulnerable, already being bullied," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki in February, reported CNN. "I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protection and safety you deserve," wrote President Biden on Twitter.