We joined together in Florida for safe, welcoming schools

Continue the momentum [View as Webpage]( [National Education Association]( [EdJustice]( {NAME}, No matter our gender identity, sexual orientation, background, or race, we all want the same thing: to feel safe, accepted, and respected as our true, authentic selves. However, in Florida and throughout the country, certain politicians are pushing laws that restrict our freedoms, dividing us so that they can get and hold onto power at any cost. Across race and place, we are rejecting these distractions and standing up for the basic rights, resources, and respect that we all deserve. And we are proving we can win. [Support LGBTQ+ Students and Educators ➤]( In 2022, when Florida politicians passed the hateful "Don't Say Gay" law, parents, educators, and students united to protect our freedom to teach, learn, and be ourselves. This week, these brave members of our community reached a settlement that successfully dismantles some of the most dangerous and discriminatory impacts of the law, all while demonstrating our collective power. The settlement rolls back the scope of the “Don’t Say Gay” law and requires neutrality in its prohibition on “classroom instruction” on the subjects of sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, the settlement protects the following freedoms: - The freedom to learn: Students, educators, and visitors can speak and write freely about sexual orientation and gender identity in class participation and schoolwork, or in any context in which a teacher is not “instructing” a class on the subject of sexual orientation or gender identity. - The freedom to read: Library books, book fairs, musicals, and plays with LGBTQ+ themes and characters are not covered by this law, as long as they are not being used in the classroom to instruct on the subjects of sexual orientation or gender identity. - The freedom to live authentically: The settlement reinstates safeguards against bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and ensures that safe spaces and Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are not prohibited. There are no restrictions around the participation and expression by LGBTQ+ persons in extracurricular events like school dances, or the wearing of clothing that is affiliated with LGBTQ+ persons or issues or that does not conform with one’s perceived gender identity. Today, we celebrate the power we have when we stand together. Tomorrow, we continue to create a world where we all can be free to learn in safe, welcoming environments as our authentic selves–no exceptions. [Sign our pledge]( to let us know you will stand with us as we continue to fight discriminatory laws and protect our freedom to be ourselves, pursue our dreams, and have a good life. [Pledge Your Support ➤]( We are coming together to hold our politicians to account. From the streets to the school board, from the ballot box to the courthouse, our collective action will deliver the schools our communities deserve—where everyone can teach, learn, and thrive. In solidarity, The NEA EdJustice Team [fb]( [tw]( [in]( [NEA - National Education Association]( You received this email at {EMAIL} because you are signed up for NEA EdJustice, timely actions and a quarterly digest about racial, social, and economic justice in education. [Click here to unsubscribe.]( © 2024 National Education Association 1201 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 [neaEdJustice.org]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe](