- April 26, 2024
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A resolution to bring awareness to LGBTQ health in Volusia County Schools failed to pass on Tuesday, March 9, after some School Board members and parents expressed concern, citing the topic of sexual orientation should be addressed at students' homes.
The resolution would have designated the week of March 22-26 as "LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week," and proclaimed that the district was committed to "bringing awareness to the effects of the devastating cycle of discrimination on LGBTQ+ health and the resulting disparities." It is to be noted that the awareness week would have taken place during Spring Break, a time where students would not be attending classes.
Only School Board Member Carl Persis made a motion to approve, and the resolution failed for lack of support. He told his fellow board members that he didn't understand the argument against passing the resolution.
“This board prides itself on not discriminating against any child," Persis said. "So why are you choosing to discriminate against them?”
Though School Board Member Ruben Colon stated LGBTQ students are three-to-four times more likely to die by suicide, he did not support the resolution based on his personal beliefs.
“However, I do support the fact that we do need to be there for our students and ensure that we support them, because they are at a greater risk, and I think the school district does that all day long," he said
Three parents spoke against the resolution before the board voted, all stating that the responsibility of discussing sexual orientation was theirs, rather than the district's. It's a statement Colon, and later Board Member Jamie Haynes also expressed.
This isn't the first time the resolution has come before the School Board. It passed last year in a unanimous vote.
Board Chair Linda Cuthbert said she would have seconded the motion if she had been able to, as not all families are supportive of their LGBTQ students. As a representative of District 3, the one with the highest rate of self-harm among students according to Cuthbert, she said they have an obligation to protect students.
“It’s sad that our community, our culture, is at a point where we would have to make a resolution like this," Cuthbert said. "We shouldn’t have to, because we should treat everyone equally and equitably. There’s a big difference between equal and equitable.”
She suggested the district come back with a resolution to celebrate diversity and inclusivity among students at a later date.
Board Member Anita Burnette said she agreed with Persis on much of his points, but that she prided herself on listening to both sides. But Persis argued that there weren't two sides to this issue.
“You either are discriminatory or you’re not," Persis said. "You can’t justify discrimination. You’re either a racist, or you’re not...You’re either homophobic, or you’re not.”
Colon took offense to that statement, and he and Burnette both said they have friendships within the LGBTQ community. Colon said if a student reaches out for help, then the resources should be in place, but otherwise, the topic should be broached by parents.
“I support this group of people," Burnette said. "I have no dislike of that — that’s kind of unfair. I did not like the way it was presented, and I think we can do better.”
Superintendent Scott Fritz said this was not an unusual resolution. Additionally, it's titled and worded in the same way as last year's unanimous resolution, approved on April 14 in the board's consent agenda.
“There were no curriculum materials that were going to be handed out," Fritz said. "There were no announcements that were going to be made. It was simply saying that every child that walks across our stage and in our schools will be treated fairly, equally and with equity.”
