And…let me add, queer, queer, queer, queer, queer, queer, queer, lesbian, lesbian, lesbian, lesbian, lesbian, lesbian, lesbian, dyke, dyke, dyke, dyke, dyke, dyke, dyke. Of course, you all know what I’m talking about…the assinine law Desantis, the dicknob, is about to sign, not so affectionately titled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

To be fair, the bill doesn’t actually have that specific language that you can’t say the word gay, lesbian queer, or dyke. No, it is much more nefarious than that because the language is so vague that the effect will scare the shit out of teachers so dramatically that it will send every single queer person back in that stuffy, dark closet. And make it so easy for the bullies to latch on and have their heyday. Here’s the specific language: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” Nowhere does it define classroom instruction, age-appropriate, or developmentally appropriate.

Here’s how the law might play out…a child of seven is in the front of the class talking about her summer vacation, and they innocently mention going to Disney World with their two moms. This prompts a question, also innocently, from a little boy who doesn’t understand why the child has two moms. He’s always been told the only correct family is one with a mom and a dad. Two moms or two dads are an abomination. Of course, the asshole father or mother who taught the little boy, will not have any problem with the teacher confirming their view of the world, even if it touches on sexual orientation. So, how does the teacher answer? Who the fuck knows. If she affirms the child by saying there are all kinds of different families, you can be sure some homophobic asswipe will bring suit.

Be afraid, folks. Be very afraid. Besides this asinine law, new laws are being proposed or courts siding with anti-LGBTQ+ behavior. For example, in Virginia, the state Supreme Court upheld reinstating a teacher who refused to use the correct pronouns, touting free speech and religious convictions. Call me stupid, but how damn hard is it to use she/her, he/him, or they/them when requested? People have been asking people their preferences for names for years. Anytime I did an interview, I would always ask, do you prefer Victoria or Vicky. It matters to people, and it shows respect. Oops, sorry, Governor Desantis, I forgot to ask if you preferred dick or dicknob. My bad. Also, can any religious fanatic show me in their bible or Koran or whatever they use to defend their ignorance where it says, Thou Shall Not Use Preferred Pronouns? I’ll eat my condo if anyone can point me to a passage where there is anything remotely written about nonbinary or transgender individuals and what we should or should not call them.

I’m so hopping mad at the madness happening across this country that I am vowing to take any royalties I get for this next quarter for my most recent books, Disconnected, The Others and the re-release of Artist Free Zone, and put them into one of the suggested organizations that have a fighting chance of overturning any or all of these nefarious and just plain mean laws. Want to help in my political quest to undo wrongs, you know the drill, just click on the links below!

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