OPINION |
by Amy Hoogstraet, Springfield
As the Youth Coordinator at the GLO Center (and as a compassionate human being), I am vehemently opposed to MO Senate Bill 134. This bill had a committee hearing Feb. 7, and if the committee decides to vote on it and it passes, it will then be up for a Senate vote.
This bill is being referred to as the “Don't Say Gay” bill by opponents. If passed, it would mandate that “no nurse/counselor/teacher … at a public/charter school shall discuss gender identity or sexual orientation with a minor student unless (that person) is a licensed mental health care provider with prior permission from the student's parent or legal guardian.” This would be, in effect, a complete gag order and would prove incredibly harmful and potentially deadly to our LGBTQ+ youth.
If it weren't so tragic, disgusting, and dangerous, it would be laughable how legislators seem to think that if they legislate hard enough, they can simply erase the existence of LGBTQ+ people.
Related Article
Sen. Mike Moon introduces bill barring discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity in school
Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, has introduced legislation to prohibit teachers from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity. The proposal received a hearing Feb. 7 in the state Capitol.
“If no one talks about it, then it goes away!” To the contrary — if no one talks about it, then LGBTQ+ students are alone and isolated, without support, without hope, and in grave danger.
Given the text of this bill, I interpret it as meaning the end of GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances, or clubs for LGBTQ+ students and allies at many high and middle schools). How can a GSA exist if gender identity and sexual orientation cannot be discussed? The end of GSAs would be nothing short of catastrophic.
As part of my job as the Youth Coordinator at GLO, I visit GSAs in the Springfield and surrounding areas. During the fall semester of 2022, I visited about a dozen GSAs, and I am here to tell you how very crucial they are. For many students, a GSA is the only place they can be themselves and feel loved, supported, accepted for who they are, and not alone. Many LGBTQ+ students are not getting that support at home, and the GSA may be the only place they get it.
Did you know that having just ONE supportive, affirming adult in their life can reduce an LGBTQ+ youth's suicidality risk by a whopping 40%? For some, that one supportive adult is their GSA sponsor. In my visits to area GSAs, I have heard heartbreaking accounts of home lives and I have seen how much of a lifeline the GSA is for these kids. GSAs are obviously very needed and important — why else would every single high school in Springfield and many of the middle schools have one? Why else would there be thriving GSAs even in tiny towns like Fair Grove?
It would seem that some legislators want to strip everything (lifesaving medical care, sports, books, GSAs, supportive adults, etc.) from LGBTQ+ youth in hopes that it will make them somehow disappear. The sheer cruelty and ignorance of this desire absolutely boggles my mind.
If you feel the same way, what can you do? In a matter of about 5 minutes, you can call the senators and express your opposition to this bill. When you call each senator's number, an administrative assistant will answer. All you have to do is say “I'm a resident of Missouri, and I'm calling to express my opposition to Senate Bill 134 and to ask that if it comes to a vote, that Senator [fill in name] please vote against it.”
That's it! Your phone calls DO matter. Making our voices heard is the best chance we have to kill horrific bills like this one. Please help.
