Republican controlled states are rampaging against basic human rights, and Florida has been at the forefront of these infuriating and punitive restrictions.
Their latest move is the passage of the “don’t say gay” bill, which bans public school districts from teaching about gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.
It’s their latest charade and “fake rage” effort to control and suppress human rights.
Congressional democrats, the White House and Disney (finally) have all expressed their opposition to the bill, especially as it sets the stage for extending it (the ban) to higher grade levels.
That opposition has now been joined by tennis star and Florida resident, Coco Gauff.
“I’m against it,” said Gauff to reporters Wednesday before her first match at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California. “I think these conversations are important, and for me, who has friends in the LGBTQ+ community, I couldn’t imagine not being able to talk about your identity. I feel that’s something that is normal.”
The legislation, formally known as the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, was passed by both the Florida House and Senate and Governor DeSantis is expected to sign it.
But everyone, including Gauff, knows exactly what this bill is about, who it affects and what the true purpose of it is, and they’re not staying silent about it.
“Every [LGBTQ+] person I’ve known has known that they were part of that community since they were young,” said Gauff. “I think it’s important that they have those conversations in school, because that is supposed to be a safe space to talk about everything.”
If Florida and other states like Texas and Idaho have their way, safe spaces won’t exist for those who don’t look like, or represent, the Republicans in power.
“I think it was in 2019 or 2020 when I talked about the Black Lives Matter movement — I said it was important to have those conversations,” Gauff said. “Same stance on this. I think it’s important to have those tough conversations, and from the people that I spoke to who are part of the community, it definitely makes a difference when you don’t have to hide who you are.”
Let’s see if other athletes, especially those from the state, follow Gauff’s lead.
