4 May 15 , 2022Just Asking
“We have to remember that the majority
of people in this country don’t like
or want these discriminatory bills
and laws.”
Interview by KK Ottesen
Photograph by Nikki KahnImani Rupert-Gordon, 43, is executive director of the National Center
for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), which, along with Kaplan Hecker & Fink, filed
a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and other state officials
to challenge Florida’s recent Parental Rights in Education legislation,
also decried as the “don’t say gay” bill. Rupert-Gordon lives in Oakland,
Calif., with her wife.What led NCLR to file a lawsuit challenging Florida’s so-
called “don’t say gay” legislation?
We challenged this “don’t say LGBTQ” law because it’s
discriminatory. This very intentionally vague law will shame and
stigmatize not only LGBTQ students but students with LGBTQ
parents and family members, as well as any student that
rightfully believes and understands that LGBTQ people are
valued members of society. And not only is it going to stigmatize
students, it’s also going to make it possible to bury not only the
history but the existence of LGBTQ people — and in a space
where young LGBTQ people believe that they are receiving a
thorough and complete history and explanation of how the
world works and their place in it. What it does is scare people
about talking about who they are.Setting aside political opportunism, what do you say to those
who see this issue as a parental consent issue and worry that
school could be coming between them and their child on
issues of great importance to that child’s well-being?
Honestly, I would ask: Is that something that’s really
happening now? Because between the K through third grade,
that’s not actually part of the curriculum. I think everyone is on
the side of having very hard conversations happen at home. I
think that what is happening is that there’s an overreach because
what this bill is actually doing is shaming and stigmatizing
LGBTQ students and students that have LGBTQ families.
I’m not aware of times that guidance counselors have theseconversations and keep parents from speaking to their children.
There’s a benefit for a kid being able to talk to someone else as
necessary. Guidance counselors are not seeking children out to
have difficult conversations. It’s often that kids are coming to
guidance counselor and supportive adults when they have
questions that they don’t feel like they can go to someone else.There’s been talk about “ grooming” — what do you think
when you hear that?
Oh. You know, that is so disappointing and so discouraging. I
would have hoped that we would be past these horrible, horrible
tropes. Because that’s not at all what’s happening. It is so cruel
and cowardly. And we see right past that. I’m so disappointed
that so-called leaders are talking to community members like
that. It’s disrespectful, it’s detrimental. And it’s blatantly untrue.What do you tell young people, especially young LGBTQ
people, who are looking at what’s happening in these
debates and trying to make sense of things?
I think of the young people who are thinking about coming
out right now. They’re just starting to understand who they are,
and they’re seeing this, and they believe that there are people
there that hate them, you know? And I would I want these young
people to remember that there are people that love you, and we
are dedicating our lives to making it possible for you to grow up
and be your authentic selves and pushing to keep you safe.
We have to remember that the majority of people in this
country don’t like or want these discriminatory bills and laws.
And I’m saying this because these bills that are being voted for
by senators and signed into law by governors are not accurately
reflecting the interests, the needs, and the values of the people
that they’re serving. Because those voices are loud right now. But
they are not the majority. And they do not reflect us. It’s not even
close. And I want young people to remember that.KK Ottesen is a contributor to the magazine. This interview has been
edited and condensed. For a longer version, visit wapo.st/magazine.Imani
Rupert-Gordon