The Miami-Dade School Board overwhelmingly decided against recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History month, which included a measure to teach 12th graders about two Supreme Court cases affecting the LGBTQ community.
Parents, teachers, and students spoke for more than three hours Wednesday, with one group citing indoctrination of students and the other speaking about how Nazis ostracized gays and lesbians with a pink triangle. The board voted 8-1 against the measure, which board member Lucia Baez-Geller proffered.
Outside the school board’s headquarters, where people waited to speak during the meeting, the Miami Herald reported that a group of Proud Boys got into a loud argument with someone hoisting a trans flag.
“I believe this is a result of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and culture wars coming out of the legislature and the governor’s office,” Baez-Geller said.
She said that even though there was a “barrage of police” between the Proud Boys and people inside the building, she still felt unsafe. The conservative groups Moms for Liberty and the Christian Family Coalition were among others who showed up to protest the measure, she said.
Baez-Geller told the Miami Herald the measure was intended “to recognize the dignity and the respect for each other.” She also noted that seniors could opt out of learning about the two Supreme Court cases — Obergefell v. Hodges, which recognizes same-sex marriage, and Bostock v. Clayton County, which says an employer can’t fire someone for being gay or transgender.
Throughout the year, other months are recognized to teach students about history, including Hispanic Heritage, Black history, and women’s history. October is National LGBT History Month.
