Federal ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Order Threatens LGBTQ+ Students and Teachers

Overview of the Executive Order

This executive order sets out rules and guidelines for what the federal government calls “patriotic education,” while also cracking down on what it labels “gender ideology” (including support for trans or nonbinary students) and certain discussions around race. It frames these topics as forms of “indoctrination” and claims schools are misleading children without proper parental oversight. Under this order:

  1. Funding Threats: Schools that allow or support lessons about gender identity or that discuss race and inequality in ways the order calls “discriminatory equity ideology” could risk losing federal funding.
  2. “Patriotic Education” Mandate: The government wants schools to emphasize a favorable, celebratory view of American history—something officials call “patriotic education.”
  3. Parent “Rights” Focus: Schools must share specific details with parents, especially around students exploring their gender identity. The order implies that schools could be investigated or punished for not telling parents if a student wants to use different pronouns, names, or facilities that match their gender identity.
  4. Criminal Penalties: It directs federal and local law enforcement to consider pressing charges against teachers or school staff who are perceived to violate these rules, including those who help students socially transition or who discuss certain topics about sexuality or gender.

In simpler terms, the administration is telling schools: “If you teach about or acknowledge LGBTQ+ issues in certain ways, or if you discuss the realities of racism in America as systemic issues, you might be breaking the law and could lose money or face legal consequences.”

How This Affects LGBTQ+ Students and Teachers

  • Fear and Silencing: LGBTQ+ students may feel unable to speak openly about their experiences if schools are worried about federal punishment. Teachers, too, might avoid conversations about LGBTQ+ topics in the classroom.
  • Lack of Support: The order’s language about “social transition” could scare school counselors and teachers away from providing basic emotional support or even simple accommodations (like calling a student by a chosen name) for fear of losing their jobs or funding.
  • Increased Harassment: By framing “gender ideology” as harmful, the order can fuel negative attitudes, making it harder for LGBTQ+ youth—especially transgender or nonbinary students—to feel safe and accepted at school.
  • Outing Students: Because the order emphasizes parental rights, schools might feel forced to disclose a student’s gender identity to parents, even if a student fears for their safety at home.

Dangerous Implications

  • Chilling Effect: Teachers might skip discussing any LGBTQ+ or race-related topics—no matter how relevant—out of fear they could be accused of “indoctrination.”
  • Mental Health Concerns: LGBTQ+ students already face higher rates of bullying and mental health challenges. Losing affirming teachers, clubs (such as Gay-Straight Alliances), or classroom discussions can increase isolation, anxiety, and depression.
  • Legal Battles: The threat of lawsuits or lost federal funding can consume a school’s time and resources, diverting attention from actual education and well-being of students.

Comparison to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Laws

  • Similar Purpose: Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law (officially called the “Parental Rights in Education” law) limits discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. This executive order effectively attempts something similar at the federal level, broadening the ban to include not just sexual orientation or gender identity but also teaching about systemic racism.
  • Expanded Scope: Florida’s law largely focuses on younger grade levels and certain topics. This executive order goes further: it threatens federal funding for all K–12 schools nationwide that even indirectly support what it calls “gender ideology” or “discriminatory equity ideology.”
  • “Patriotic Education” Twist: While Florida’s law focuses on restricting LGBTQ+ content, this order also reestablishes the so-called “1776 Commission” to ensure schools only teach American history in a way that the government deems “patriotic.” It’s a broader cultural and political push to reshape education.

Why People Are Concerned

  1. Free Expression: Critics argue it suppresses teachers’ ability to accurately discuss history and current social issues.
  2. Student Well-Being: LGBTQ+ youth in non-affirming environments face greater risks to their mental and physical health.
  3. Overreach into Local Schools: Many see this as federal interference in how local communities run their schools, using funding threats as leverage.
  4. Legal Uncertainty: By making broad claims about “gender ideology” and “indoctrination,” schools may not know what is allowed, leading to censorship or confusion.

In Short

For those that don’t follow politics, the big takeaway is that this executive order could stop or severely limit discussions of race, gender identity, and even modern-day social issues in classrooms across the country. Schools and teachers could be punished—through funding cuts or legal action—for supporting or acknowledging LGBTQ+ students or for teaching about race and discrimination in ways the government finds objectionable. It mirrors and expands Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” approach to a national scale, raising concerns about free speech, student safety, and equitable treatment in education.

Now is the moment to act. Our children, our educators, and our families are counting on us to protect the integrity of our schools. Safe Schools recognized the danger of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bills before they became law, and we’re sounding the alarm again at the federal level. We know how to mobilize, how to fight back, and how to keep our classrooms safe and inclusive for every student—no exceptions. But this fight requires all of us standing together, in solidarity and in strength. We need your voice, your donations, and your unwavering support.

Join us today. Donate to Safe Schools, volunteer your time, and reach out to your elected officials. Every action you take helps preserve the safe, nurturing environments our youth deserve and protects educators from being silenced. Let’s stand up—side by side—and ensure that every child across the nation has the freedom to learn, grow, and thrive. We’ve won before; together, we will win again.

By: Rev. Dr. Harold Marrero
Chief Operating Officer

We encourage you to share this information with friends, fellow teachers, and allies and join us in bringing awareness to our efforts. Your support is essential for our ongoing work to create safe spaces for all students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or expression. Please consider donating to Safe Schools so that we can continue advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the education system.