Virginia’s children deserve a public education that opens their minds to varied people and perspectives. They deserve to grow up into well-rounded individuals who can think for themselves, who value truth, diversity, equity, and justice, and who realize Virginia is better when it makes a space for all of its people. Let’s be clear, this law has the potential of eliminating discussions of race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and how they intersect in the teaching of history, literature, and health in our schools.
The evidence is strong from other states that these vaguely worded laws are used to target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors and their books. The One Math Textbook Company deemed acceptable in Florida, was acquired by Governor Youngkin's Carlyle Group in 2018. We do not want a 'Don't Say Gay' disguised policy in Virginia.