by Delaney Warner
Student Life Editor
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
On March 11, 2022 at 1:00pm students left class and stood in front of the main entrance of Hilliard Bradley High School. They withstood the cold for 20 minutes and held up signs reading “IT’S OKAY TO SAY GAY,” “YOU MADE US SO MAD THAT THE INTROVERTS ARE HERE,” and “STOP SILENCING QUEER LIVES.” Some students even draped pride flags over their shoulders as the group collectively chanted “we say gay.” All of this was done in protest of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida.
The bill bans all K-3 teachers from encouraging students to learn about LGBTQ+ relationships, and was instilled in an attempt to discourage schools from integrating topics of sexual orientation and gender identity into their offical curiculums. However, the bill does not ban spontaneous discussion about the topics.
If this continues to grow to include all grades K-12, or even just K-5, it could potentially lead to book banning. This is because any books that mention LGBTQ+ relationships would have to be removed from schools as a whole, even popular books like the Percy Jackson series. It could also lead children to feel alone as they age without exposure to LGBTQ+ relationships being normalized, possibly making kids feel inferior simply because of who they are attracted to.
Joe Harding, a republican state representative who sponsors the bill, originally wanted schools to be required to inform parents if their child came out as LGBTQ+ at school; however, the amendment was repealed prior to the passing of the bill.
However, in Texas an anti-trans directive is pushing for teachers to out transgender students. The same directive will also label legal gender-affirming medical care for transgender children as child abuse; the state can then sue parents, or even arrest them, for helping provide their own children with gender-affirming medical care. This is enforced by republican Gov. Greg Abbot.
Some may wonder why students in Hilliard, Ohio are protesting a bill affecting a state approximately 1,040 miles away; however, after speaking with multiple students, the motive behind their protesting efforts is clear: they fear that a similar bill could make its way to Ohio. Natalie Phillips (10) states, “I attended the walkout because what’s going on in Florida could happen in Ohio and put people’s lives at risk.” They continue, “It’s horrible to see all of this happening, especially with being gay.” Alexis Miller (10) joined the walkout “to support [her] friends and help make a change in the community.”
The fear of a similar bill making its way to Ohio isn’t that far fetched of an idea, for two are already going through legislation. House Bill 322 and House Bill 327 are currently passing through legislation, and will restrict and censor how teachers can discuss divisive content if approved. “For instance, one “divisive concept” prohibited by HB 327 is: “The concept that members of one nationality, race, color, ethnicity, religion, or sex attempt to treat others disrespectfully based upon nationality, race, color, ethnicity, religion, or sex” (https://cdfohio.org). If you’re interested in helping stop these two bills passing through Ohio legislation currently, then you can email members of the committee at this link (https://actionnetwork.org).
Today many Bradley students learned that they can help make a change. The Jaguar Times looks forward to what Bradley students will accomplish with their courage to progress society.
For more information check out:
Anti-trans Texas: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/11/anti-trans-policies-run-counter-texass-rich-transgender-history/
House Bill 327: