The Conservative Case for Teaching About 'Gender Identity' | Opinion
so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, they scratched their heads and became disturbed by how eager many seemed to defend teaching gender identity to kids in grades K-3.But amidst all the hyperbole and hyperventilation, the bill's opponents overlooked the kicker clause.
The law outright forbade instruction about gender identity in grades K-3, but it stipulated that for other grades it must merely be "developmentally appropriate." But last week, the Florida Board of Education issued a regulation stating that teaching about gender identity is never developmentally appropriate (except for in health classes that students can opt out of).Once again, Florida has changed the terms of a national culture war debate.
The question is no longer whether young children should be taught about gender identity; rather, the question is should schools teach it at all?If by "teaching about gender identity" one means "presenting gender theory as fact," then the answer is certainly "no." Gender theory asserts a sectarian truth claim, and one which most Americans do not believe.
We, as a society, have long decided that public schools may not teach children sectarian truth claims—even those that a majority do believe.
