Soto, US Department of Education Secretary Cardona Join Roundtable with LGBTQI+ Students and Families from Florida on Transgender Day of Visibility
Congressman Soto and Secretary Cardona visited The Center in Orlando to speak with families and students affected by the "Don't Say Gay" law
KISSIMMEE, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona met with Floridian LGBTQI+ students and families on Transgender Day of Visibility for a roundtable discussion to hear about the impact that recent anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has had on them, their communities, and school experiences.
Throughout the roundtable, Rep. Soto and Secretary Cardona affirmed the Biden-Harris Administration's support for the LGBTQI+ community, shared mental health and other resources available from the federal government, and heard from students and families about stress and fear recent anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has caused for them.
"On this Transgender Day of Visibility, it was an honor to host Secretary Cardona at The Center in Orlando and listen to families affected by the 'Don't Say Gay' bill and other anti-LGBTQI+ legislation," said Rep. Soto. "Though we are extremely disappointed in our governor for signing off on these harmful laws, I am hopeful that our community will prevail in the face of hatred and come back stronger than ever. I hope all LGBTQI+ students in Central Florida and across the nation know that they have allies in the highest levels of government who will stand up for them."
"On Transgender Day of Visibility and every day, the Biden-Harris administration is proud of our nation's transgender students and educators," said Secretary Cardona. "It's essential for schools to be welcoming environments for teaching and learning. And it's vital for teachers and school staff to know, see, and support their transgender students, along with all students. Transgender students should have every opportunity to thrive in school. We know while many transgender students experience valuable support at school, many others face significant challenges because of hostility directed at them by others. This includes a growing number of state laws that bully and intimidate LGBTQI+ students and their families. To transgender students everywhere, I want you to know that we see you, we hear you, we recognize what is happening, and we're here to support you."
"I don't understand why people, especially adults, are trying to erase my identity. It feels like I'm not even here. I just want to play on the sports team. I want to be who I am, and I want to be on a team with my friends. It's just not okay," said 10-year-old Dempsey Jara, a transgender girl who participated in the roundtable conversation.
"I'm here as a parent, and as a mother to a beautiful child and also as a public school teacher. This bill is not about indoctrinating children to become transgender. This is about pretending that LGBTQI+ students do not exist. They do exist, they're here. And for many of my students, the only safe space they have is my classroom. And this bill takes that away. I won't stand for it as a parent and I won't stand for it as a teacher," said Jaime Jara, who participated in the roundtable conversation.
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