Post by addisona on Feb 17, 2022 14:11:01 GMT
Anti-‘woke’ bills could affect LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for eldercare, advocates worry
As state lawmakers advance dozens of bills to restrict discussion of race, gender and sexuality in schools, at least two states are also considering wider-ranging bills that may have effects far beyond the classroom, including on LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for eldercare.
Last week, the Florida legislature advanced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees, or Stop woke, Act. It’s one of two state-level bills — the other is in Tennessee — that would address diversity training for private companies and nonprofit employees. Most similar legislation, including some already passed in Florida, has a narrower focus, such as banning LGBTQ+ books from school libraries or restricting what teachers can talk about. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Stop woke legislation at a December rally.
“It’s been clear from the beginning that this is one of the governor’s top priorities,” Brandon Wolf, press secretary for Equality Florida, told The 19th. Equality Florida is the state’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization and one of the organizations spearheading opposition in Tallahassee.
While the majority of the bill deals with K-12 classrooms, some sections would regulate diversity training conducted by any private business or nonprofit organization. While the governor’s office said the legislation does not ban such training sessions, advocates say it could make them almost impossible to provide. One service that may be impacted: LGBTQ+ competency training for eldercare providers. While progress has been made on LGBTQ+ civil rights, queer seniors still face discrimination, poverty and abuse.
19thnews.org/2022/02/anti-woke-legislation-florida-tennessee-schools-eldercare/
As state lawmakers advance dozens of bills to restrict discussion of race, gender and sexuality in schools, at least two states are also considering wider-ranging bills that may have effects far beyond the classroom, including on LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for eldercare.
Last week, the Florida legislature advanced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees, or Stop woke, Act. It’s one of two state-level bills — the other is in Tennessee — that would address diversity training for private companies and nonprofit employees. Most similar legislation, including some already passed in Florida, has a narrower focus, such as banning LGBTQ+ books from school libraries or restricting what teachers can talk about. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Stop woke legislation at a December rally.
“It’s been clear from the beginning that this is one of the governor’s top priorities,” Brandon Wolf, press secretary for Equality Florida, told The 19th. Equality Florida is the state’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization and one of the organizations spearheading opposition in Tallahassee.
While the majority of the bill deals with K-12 classrooms, some sections would regulate diversity training conducted by any private business or nonprofit organization. While the governor’s office said the legislation does not ban such training sessions, advocates say it could make them almost impossible to provide. One service that may be impacted: LGBTQ+ competency training for eldercare providers. While progress has been made on LGBTQ+ civil rights, queer seniors still face discrimination, poverty and abuse.
19thnews.org/2022/02/anti-woke-legislation-florida-tennessee-schools-eldercare/