Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutionCity of Miami Resolution t„ Legislation File Number: 11577 City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Final Action Date: 2/24/2022 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION OPPOSING SENATE BILL ("SB") 1834, HOUSE BILL ("HB") 1557, AND ANY SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LIMIT CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND ALLOW PARENTS TO SUE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT PERMIT DISCUSSION OR LEARNING ABOUT THESE TOPICS OR THAT OTHERWISE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PERSONS BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY; URGING GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE SAID LEGISLATION; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INCLUDE OPPOSITION TO SB 1834, HB 1557, AND ANY SIMILAR LEGISLATION TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S 2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND AMEND THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO INCLUDE THIS ITEM; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN. SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Ken Russell WHEREAS, Senate Bill ("SB") 1834 and House Bill ("HB") 1557 have been filed for consideration during the Florida Legislature's 2022 session by Senator Dennis Baxley (R — Lady Lake) and Representative Joe Harding (R — Ocala), respectively; and WHEREAS, if enacted, SB 1834 and HB 1557 would prevent school districts from encouraging classroom discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels; and WHEREAS, in addition, these bills would require schools to notify parents if there is a change in a student's services or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, and would prevent schools from withholding information about a student's well-being from parents with limited exceptions; and WHEREAS, SB 1834 and HB 1557 would also create a cause of action for parents to file lawsuits against school districts seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees and court costs for alleged violations of these bills; and WHEREAS, if enacted, SB 1834 and HB 1557 may prevent students from learning important lessons about the history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer ("LGBTQ") community, as well as foreclose important discussions about LGBTQ identities; and WHEREAS, just as troubling, these bills and the procedures and rules that they would put in place imply to students that their sexual orientation or gender identity is something to be ashamed of and hidden, and may prevent students from seeking out and receiving the counseling and care that they need at a particularly vulnerable time in their formative years; and City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File ID: 11577 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/30/2022 File ID: 11577 Enactment Number: WHEREAS, furthermore, the parental notification provisions in these bills could effectively require schools to "out" students who identify as LGBTQ to their parents without the students' consent or over their objections; and WHEREAS, according to a national survey conducted last year by the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ persons, more than 42 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth; and WHEREAS, in addition, the Trevor Project has reported that only 28 percent of middle and high school LGBTQ students nationally, and a mere 19 percent of such students in the south, have reported ever learning about LGBTQ people or issues in their classes at school; and WHEREAS, the Trevor Project's research also found that LGBTQ youth in schools that were supportive and affirming of their sexual and gender identities had nearly 40 percent lower odds of attempting suicide compared to LGBTQ youth in other schools; and WHEREAS, including positive content about LGBTQ people and issues in classroom curriculums is therefore critical to LGBTQ youth and their mental and emotional well-being; and WHEREAS, including such teachings in school curriculums is also extremely important for those who do not identify as LGBTQ, because it fosters understanding and tolerance; and WHEREAS, through the years, the City of Miami ("City") City Commission has enacted legislation and adopted policies that support the City's LGBTQ community, such as creating the City of Miami's LGBTQ Advisory Board; and WHEREAS, the Commission takes pride in the City's vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community, which includes many LGBTQ youth; and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ community has contributed invaluably to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the City; and WHEREAS, the City is a place that welcomes and supports people from all walks of life, and has thrived as a place where LGBTQ persons can feel safe and valued; and WHEREAS, the Commission wishes to continue making the City an attractive and safe place for LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly residents, tourists, and businesses; and WHEREAS, in addition, the City has an obligation to protect and speak up for its vulnerable LGBTQ youth population; and WHEREAS, according to the Trevor Project, 66 percent of all LGBTQ youth, and 85 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth, say that recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health; and WHEREAS, on February 17, 2022, the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing SB 1834 and HB 1557, with the specific recommendation of striking Sections 1001.42(8)(c)(3) and (4) from the amendment and Section 2 of the bill text; and City of Miami Page 2 of 3 File ID: 11577 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/30/2022 File ID: 11577 Enactment Number: WHEREAS, Section 2 of SB 1834 and HB 1557 reduces the rights of municipalities to govern via home rule; and WHEREAS, the Commission wishes to oppose SB 1834, HB 1557, and any similar legislation that is contrary to the City's long history and heritage of protecting and supporting the LGBTQ community, including its youth population; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-33(f) of the City Code, the City Commission, by a majority vote, hereby deems this Resolution to be of an emergency nature; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section Section 2. The City Commission hereby opposes SB 1834, HB 1557, and any similar legislation that would limit classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity and allow parents to sue school districts that permit discussion or learning about these topics or that otherwise discriminates against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Section 3. The City Manager is hereby directed to include opposition to SB 1834, HB 1557, and any similar legislation (collectively "Legislation") to the City's 2022 Legislative Priorities and to amend the 2022 State Legislative Package to include this item. Section 4. The City Commission urges Governor Ron DeSantis ("Governor") and the members of the Florida Legislature to oppose the Legislation, and to strike Sections 1001.42(8)(c)(3) and (4) from the amendment and Section 2 of the bill text. Section 5. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Governor; President of the Senate Wilton Simpson; Speaker Chris Sprowls, Senator Dennis Baxley, Representative Joe Harding, and the Chair and Members of the Miami -Dade County State Legislative Delegation. Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: City of Miami Page 3 of 3 File ID: 11577 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/30/2022