Today, Florida
Governor DeSantis signed into law the House 1557 “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which
bans public school districts from teaching about sexual orientation or gender
identity in kindergarten through the third grade, or “in a manner that is not
age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students”—language that
critics say could extend the ban to higher grade levels
Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU) is extremely disappointed by
the passage of the so called “Parental Rights in Education” bill due to its
discriminatory language directly targeting and endangering the lives of all
LGBTQI+ youth.
Here
are key passages in the bill:
Instruction on
gender and sexuality would be constrained in all grades.
Schools would be
required to notify parents when children receive mental, emotional or
physical health services, unless educators believe there is a risk of
“abuse, abandonment, or neglect.”
Parents would have
the right to opt their children out of counseling and health services.
Parents could sue
schools for violating the vaguely written bill, and districts would have
to cover the costs.
Florida would
rewrite school counseling standards.
Our collective anger and disappointment must now be focused on doing,
what legislators and the Governor wont – Show all of our youth that they are
LOVED. Show them they MATTER. Tell them they are not a MISTAKE. Tell them they
are NOT ALONE. Offer them the tools and support to be GREAT, PROUD ADULTS.
If you’re a parent or an ally, an educator or a self-actualized LGBTQ+
adult seeing this, today is the day for you to tell the young LGBTQI+ people in
your lives that you see them, and they have value.
More than 200 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, many specifically targeting trans
youth, have been introduced this year alone. Fighting these bills is going to
be a marathon effort requiring all of us — like-minded individuals and
organizations — to stand together and persevere in the face of adversity.
Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida will continue to stand with the
thousands of organizations, teachers unions, allies and parents across the U.S.
uniting in solidarity for LGBTQ+ youth in the best way we know how: Telling our
stories, sharing our rainbow history, celebrating our pride, and show
relentless our support for all of our youth and educators, trying to do the
right thing.
HELP US TO HELP OUR YOUTH, through our programming, resources, and
initiatives to STOP HATE EVERYWHERE. Please consider a donation to UC|CU.
UNITY
COALITION|COALICION UNIDA is proud to partner with O, Miami 2022, and the queer
events happening all April,
all over SoFla. CHECK THEM OUT!
For more Info, contact: Palley Promotes
lpalley@bellsouth.net
April 22 Drag Poetry Slam Local Miami poets create new works performed by local drag
artists for a live audience.
Blending m music, dance, theatrics, prose, an audience
participation, Drag Poetry is a two-act show of 6 performances lip-synched to 6
poets’ words.
The evening wishes to answer what happens when we push the
boundaries of expectation within art forms that challenge what is real
and what we can create from them.
7:30-10p, Tropotrope: Arts Learning Lab
April 29th: Smoke Lilies and
Jade: A Multimedia Performance Hued Songs presents a multimedia performance inspired by gay
Harlem Renaissance legend Richard Bruce Nugent's "Smoke Lilies and Jade,”.
7-9 pm, The Underline
Portrait at 34, created by Queer Artist, Najja Moon
Since the passing of her cousin, Kamilah Aisha Moon, one
poem in particular has been a special source of comfort and connection for
artist Najja Moon, Portrait at 34.
For this project, a custom designed Photobooth will travel
throughout the month of april producing portraits paired with age specific
poems for each participant.
April 23 Aves Y Poesia Queer
artist hosts a bilingual
Spanish/English guided walking tour along Bill Baggs park’s main trails with a
stop at the Cape Florida Banding Station to observe wild birds up close. Participants
write poems along the trail inspired by their senses and experience in nature.
Sharing writing & observations is encouraged but not required.
777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 500, Miami, Florida 33139
– offering Programs and Services onsite, by appointment only