Brandy Vance, a Leon County school teacher at J. Michael Conley Elementary School at Southwood, is not happy about the Parental Rights in Education bill and she recently took to Facebook to voice her concerns.
The Parental Rights in Education bill, which was recently signed into law, contains a provision that “prohibits a school district from encouraging classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”
Vance posted a 220-word explanation of her position related to the issue with a picture of herself dressed in LGBTQ-supportive attire on Conley Elementary school grounds.
The post, included below, appears to have been removed from Facebook.
The description that accompanied the photo voices displeasure with the Parental Rights in Education bill by stating, “you think that this freaking bill is ok, march your self over to that delete button and get the heck away from me….Now.”
Vance writes, “Just because YOUR family isn’t LGBTQ doesn’t mean ALL families aren’t. Doesn’t mean kids aren’t. EVERY student and EVERY family should get to be represented to our youth. Because they EXIST. And they aren’t scary.”
Vance also criticized parents. She wrote, “The only people indoctrinating your kids is YOU. You do it with religion. You do it with sexuality. You genderize colors and toys and clothes. YOU. Not teachers.”
TR reached out to Ms. Vance for comment, but she has not responded to our request.
A LGBTQ leader in Leon County has asked officials with Leon County Schools to support the teacher.
Andy Janecek, a member of the City’s LGBTQ Advisory Council, tweeted, “@LeonSchools It’s time to put your promises into action. What will you do to support this teacher? There are already calls in the comments for her to be terminated for lending support to #LGBTQ students. We are watching and waiting.”
Leon County School officials told TR that there are ongoing discussions related to what can be displayed in classrooms and what freedoms teachers have when addressing personal beliefs. Similar to the process related to the LGBTQ guide, officials said policies addressing these issues should be updated before the next school year.
Leon County School officials have not responded to TR’s request related to any action taken due the Facebook post.
From dictionary.com: The word unicorn has a specific slang meaning in the gay community. It refers to a bisexual woman who sleeps with heterosexual couples, a term sometimes referenced with the unicorn face emoji. More generally, people in the gay community may use the unicorn emoji to express pride or signal identity, connecting the emoji’s often rainbow-colored horn to the rainbow flag.
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Steve Stewart is a senior contributor at The Florida Capital Star. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Brandy Vance” by Brandy Vance.
The teacher needs to find other employment.