MIAMI – For a third year in a row, Miami-Dade County School Board members voted against recognizing October as LGBTQ+ History Month at Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
The item was being discussed at Wednesday’s school board meeting, with dozens upon dozens of speakers lining up to expressing their thoughts and feelings on the issue.
“They are in a school district that celebrates our diversity, that lets our children know they are loved and valued no matter what they are, who they are, who they love, what they become,” one speaker said.
“Democracy does not mean that a small minority gets to dictate the agenda. That is exactly what LGBTQ history month will do,” said another speaker.
5 p.m. report:
After several hours, board members voted not to recognize the month, with five votes against and three in favor.
School Board Member Lucia Baez-Geller sponsored the item and said it’s a symbolic gesture meant to celebrate students.
She says it is about inclusion.
The last time this item passed was back in 2021. Since then, board members who opposed the item expressed concern about the legality of the resolution, saying it might violate the Parental Rights in Education Law’s limits on discussion of sexual and gender identity in the K-12 education system.
Baez-Geller said this in no way would have affected the curriculum, adding that it would not interfere with any state law.
She was also hoping board members would follow Broward County Public Schools’ lead.
Tuesday night, board members voted 6-3 to pass their LGBTQ+ History Month proclamation. The district has been recognizing October as LGBTQ+ History Month for more than a decade.