Don't Force MO Teachers to Out LGBTQIA+ Students

I am writing in strong opposition to SB1085 (Nicola) and HB2580 (Coleman). These bills are not about protecting children or supporting parents. They are a dangerous and targeted attack on the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA+ students in Missouri. These bills would force teachers to misgender students or forcibly "out" them to their parents. Any bill that requires school officials to "out" students who disclose private information regarding their sexuality or gender identity inherently places children in danger. For many young people, a conversation with a trusted teacher is a lifeline. We know that, unfortunately, not every household is safe to be out. Forcing educators to break a student’s trust and disclose their identity against their will increases the risk of abuse, homelessness, depression, and even death. These bills prioritize ideology over the physical and emotional safety of the very children it claims to protect. Additionally, these bills force teachers, even those with good intentions, to engage in harmful practices. They require staff to dead name and misgender students who do not have legal paperwork on file. This is not a neutral act. Misgendering and deadnaming are forms of psychological violence that cause real, documented harm to young people. It tells a student that their identity is not valid and that they are not safe in their own school. LGBTQIA+ students in Missouri are facing an onslaught of bills attempting to dismantle their rights. These bills are meant to silence LGBTQIA+ students and remove spaces for them to be their authentic selves. As a result, LGBTQIA+ students in Missouri are experiencing increasingly hostile school environments. This hostile climate is not an accident; it is the direct result of legislation like this, which has a catastrophic effect on queer youth and silences supportive educators who are often a lifeline for them. I will fight for positive representation and visibility of LGBTQIA+ communities in all schools across the State, and I stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ youth in Missouri. I urge you to reject these bills and instead focus on policies that keep all children safe and supported.