The Mailroom October 2023

Published August 30, 2023 by Richard Foster

Don’t say ‘Don’t Say Gay?’

I am disappointed in your June 2023 workforce article, “Pride in their work.” In it, you perpetuate misinformation that the left-leaning press has been pushing on Americans.

Two specific examples: 

• Reference to the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” law — This bill does not use the word “gay” in it, and the law is to prohibit schools from teaching/discussing sexual preferences, etc., with lower elementary grade pupils. It is leaving it up to the parents if they want to get into that subject so early.
• Gender-affirming care — All the state of Florida is saying is that children cannot be subjected to sex change surgery, puberty blockers, etc. There are no restrictions on adults doing so, nor on counseling of children with questions. 

I enjoy the magazine and learn a lot from it, but let’s not become political and biased in a “news” story.

Ted Krueger

Amherst

Editor’s note: While it’s accurate that Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law does not contain the word “gay,” it does use the phrases “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” The Associated Press has referred to the law as “Don’t Say Gay” in headlines, but in stories, the AP notes that label has been used by the law’s critics, context that was missing from its mention in this story. The article’s reference to gender-affirming medical care cited restrictions in “several states,” not just Florida. As of mid-August, 22 states, including Florida, have established restrictions or bans on gender-affirming medical care for minors. The article did not refer to age or type of care.

To submit a letter to the editor, please send your email of no more than 250 words to Richard Foster at [email protected]. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for clarity, word count and grammar.

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