Say Gay

We are Trans. We are Intersex. We are Two-Spirit. We are Asexual. We are Queer. We are Lesbian. We are Bisexual. We are Gay. We have always been, and forever we will be.

State Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga), Phil Berger (R-Eden) and Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) have introduced the so-called “Parent’s Rights” bill to the NC General Assembly - which is essentially a copy-cat of Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill. This legislation is a blatant attack on young people, LGBTQIA+ families, and a political tactic to incite a false moral panic and to create a wedge issue to further political division before the November election.

We call on Roy Cooper to veto this bill if it comes to his desk. We call on local elected officials, Kim Roney and Jasmine Beach-Ferrara to support us in resisting this harmful legislation. 

We agree with Jill Johnson of Durham County City Council when she tweeted:

“A bill targeting LGBTQ children being announced in the NCGA on the same day an unthinkable number of children are shot to death at school in Texas is a tragic and perfect illustration of the catastrophically bankrupt set of values we’re dealing with right now.”

Youth OUTright knows and recognizes the positive impact that inclusive and affirming school environments have on ALL children. Celebrating the incredible diversity of lived experiences across our community is key to success, from the local level to the national level. We know that LGBTQIA+ affirming environments improve health outcomes across ALL gender and sexualities, including cisgender and heterosexual youth.

We are also keenly aware of the harm that comes from policies like these. Legislation that sanctions discriminatory behavior emboldens bigotry. Forcing teachers and counselors to out students to their parents will increase the rates of homelessness within the youth community. LGBTQIA+ youth are already 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts most often because they are expelled from their homes due to their identities. Policies like Don’t Say Gay worsen this problem.

Using children as political pawns to create a moral panic based on false information is a debased, unethical, and violent strategy that folks in power have used against the LGBTQIA+ community for decades. 

As a community, we will resist this oppressive and violent movement.  

We stand with youth and families across North Carolina & the entire country. We will continue to hold space for youth to be in community with each other. We will continue to support the emerging youth leadership in our community. We will continue to speak our truths.

Adrian Parra
They/He/She
Executive Director
Youth OUTright WNC