Putting my foot down as a pediatrician, expert on teen health, gay man, and a dad.
I won’t mince words.
Florida lawmakers: Teens will die if you pass the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the latest proposed amendment. 🧵 1/ theweek.com/education/1010…
I won’t mince words.
Florida lawmakers: Teens will die if you pass the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the latest proposed amendment. 🧵 1/ theweek.com/education/1010…
I repeat, teens will die.
I care for LGBTQ+ patients and cannot understate the mental health toll teens experience when adults create harmful school environments for them.
Depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders, substance use. I see it all. Routinely. 2/
I care for LGBTQ+ patients and cannot understate the mental health toll teens experience when adults create harmful school environments for them.
Depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders, substance use. I see it all. Routinely. 2/
The latest amendment to “Don’t Say Gay” would require educators to *out* LGBTQ+ kids within 6 weeks if their parents don’t know.
This is COMPLETELY CONTRARY to standards of care for LGBTQ+ youth. Ask any pediatrician.
Again, you’ll kill kids if you pass this. 3/
This is COMPLETELY CONTRARY to standards of care for LGBTQ+ youth. Ask any pediatrician.
Again, you’ll kill kids if you pass this. 3/
I’m not being bombastic. This is backed by research. Here are data from @TrevorProject.
Teens in LGBTQ+ affirming schools are 38% less likely to attempt suicide.
Logic dictates that making schools threatening places for LGBTQ+ kids will cause suicides. 4/thetrevorproject.org/research-brief…
Teens in LGBTQ+ affirming schools are 38% less likely to attempt suicide.
Logic dictates that making schools threatening places for LGBTQ+ kids will cause suicides. 4/thetrevorproject.org/research-brief…
Even just by making news as an LGBTQ-unfriendly state, Florida, you are probably causing harm.
@JuliaRaifman showed states that pass same-sex marriage saw declines in teen suicides. 5/ jamanetwork.com/journals/jamap…
@JuliaRaifman showed states that pass same-sex marriage saw declines in teen suicides. 5/ jamanetwork.com/journals/jamap…
Stands to reason, then, that “Don’t Say Gay” makes your state seem unwelcome to LGBTQ kids, and likely to precipitate more teen suicides. 6/
Maybe you think you’re helping kids by keeping sexual orientation and gender identity education out of schools?
You’re not. This is not how teen health education works.
Teens need evidence-based, accurate information, and schools can and should provide this. 7/
You’re not. This is not how teen health education works.
Teens need evidence-based, accurate information, and schools can and should provide this. 7/
Maybe you think you’re helping kids by adding them to their parents when they share that they are LGBTQ+?
Again, you’re not. Educational and clinical standards center on sharing that information only when the teen is ready and wants to. 8/
Again, you’re not. Educational and clinical standards center on sharing that information only when the teen is ready and wants to. 8/
You’re making a huge mistake, Florida, but fortunately, it’s not too late.
Your state has plenty of pediatricians who care for LGBTQ+ kids and can help you understand the real-world implications of your policies (just ask @AmerAcadPeds). 9/
Your state has plenty of pediatricians who care for LGBTQ+ kids and can help you understand the real-world implications of your policies (just ask @AmerAcadPeds). 9/
Do the right thing, Florida. Don’t pass “Don’t Say Gay” or the latest harmful amendment, and provide safe schools and a welcoming state for LGBTQ+ kids.
If you do pass it, teens lives will hang in the balance—and that’s on you. 10/10
If you do pass it, teens lives will hang in the balance—and that’s on you. 10/10
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