After a long meeting, the Miami-Dade School Board has voted against recognizing October as LGBTQ+ History Month.
The meeting lasted 12 hours, and the board ultimately voted ‘no’ on this item. Both supporters and opposers took to the microphone to voice their opinions.
“The board should remove all History Months and focus on teaching kids math, reading and writing,” an opponent of the resolution said before the crowd erupted in applause. “Let me ask you, does the school follow Biblical history month?”
“As some detractors here would like to close their eyes and pretend LGBTQ people do not exist, they do,” a supporter said.
The sponsor, Miami-Dade School Board Member Lucia Baez-Geller, said its a symbolic gesture akin to Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month.
“Because the LGBTQ exists in Miami-Dade, it’s made significant contributions to our country and county and we have LGTBQ students,” said Baez-Geller. “It does not impact or affect instructional materials, and I cannot believe I have to say this out loud, but this item does not indoctrinate our students into any sort of lifestyle.”
Opposers expressed concern that allowing the LGBTQ+ History Month would violate the Parental Rights in Education law’s limits on discussion of sexual and gender identity in the K-12 education system passed by Ron DeSantis. DeSantis’s appointees were among the boardmembers who voted ‘no’ in addition to those endorsed by him.
“As constitutional officers, we have to uphold state law and it’s very clear what that law is,” said Miami-Dade School Board Member Monica Colucci.
Baez-Gelller said that even though the item was not passed, the LGBTQ+ community is still recognized in the community.
“Our students are out there and they’re visible, and we can’t put them back in the shadows, unfortunately, like some people would like to,” said Baez-Geller.
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