Safeguarding the rights and well-being of children represents one of the core goals of local and state authorities. The specified concerns extend to the issue of children’s self-identification and sexual orientation, specifically, children’s rights to be educated on the subject matter. In turn, Bill 1557, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which its undeniably conservative proponents call the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, gives parents control over the content to which their kindergarten through 3rd grade children are introduced during sexual education. Since younger children have the right to accept and explore their sexuality as well as older ones, Bill 1557 must be repealed.
The emphasis that the current sexual orientation classes for preschoolers and elementary school children has on the issue of gender is a particularly important reason for repealing the bill. Namely, children must be provided with an opportunity to explore the concept of gender identity and locate their own sense of gender as an innate feeling. Moreover, exposing children to the ideas of gender and the chance to find their true selves as opposed to being bound by the restrictions of the sex to which they were assigned at birth is essential for their mental well-being. In turn, the preschool and elementary school environments are perfect for embracing the specified notions, given the trustworthiness of educators and their ability to teach children in a nuanced and unbiased way. Finally, educating children about LGBTQIA+ issues will allow clearing the misunderstandings that may possibly arise when understanding gender. In turn, Bill 1557 will prevent the specified changes from taking place, which is why it must not pass through Congress and must not affect the current kindergarten and elementary school curricula.