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< Back to School Policy Hub Title IX and LGBTQ+ Protections Title IX Still Protects LGBTQ+ Students, Even in Florida Title IX is one of the strongest tools students have when it comes to fighting discrimination in schools. This federal law, first passed in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or educational program that receives federal funding. For a long time, many LGBTQ+ students didn’t know whether that protection applied to them. Today, the legal landscape surrounding these protections remains a complex and evolving one, with the most recent development involving a federal court ruling vacating the broader protections for LGBTQ+ students that had been established by the Biden administration. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that Title IX covers discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, based on the legal logic of the Supreme Court's Bostock v. Clayton County ruling, which found that Title VII protections in employment applied to LGBTQ+ individuals. This interpretation was further solidified in the 2024 Title IX Regulations. However, in January 2025, a federal court ruled to vacate these 2024 regulations nationwide, effectively reinstating the 2020 Title IX rules, according to Jackson Lewis . This means that the protections for LGBTQ+ students, while still rooted in the legal principle established in Bostock v. Clayton County , are currently interpreted under the more narrow 2020 regulations. What the Law Says While the U.S. Department of Education's 2021 directive and 2024 regulations affirmed the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity within Title IX's protections, the recent federal court ruling vacating the 2024 regulations means that, as of January 2025, the 2020 Title IX regulations are now controlling nationwide. This signifies a narrowing of the scope of these protections compared to the 2024 regulations. Specifically, the 2020 regulations do not explicitly include sexual orientation or gender identity within the definition of sex discrimination under Title IX. However, the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling (Title VII context) still provides a legal basis for challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a form of sex discrimination, and advocates continue to work towards full recognition of these protections under Title IX, according to Jackson Lewis . This means that while the specific requirements for schools to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity may be less explicit under the 2020 regulations, the underlying legal principle of protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from sex-based discrimination remains. Failure to address discrimination can still potentially lead to federal investigation or civil rights complaints. Florida’s Pushback Florida has continued to implement state-level rules that challenge the federal interpretation of Title IX and create challenges for LGBTQ+ students. In 2022, the Florida Department of Education, under the Parental Rights in Education Act (HB 1557), directed schools to restrict instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. This was further expanded in 2023 to ban instruction on these topics in all grades K-12. In 2023, Florida also enacted laws that restrict bathroom access for transgender individuals in public schools, prohibit the use of preferred pronouns in schools, and limit discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public workplaces and educational settings. These actions have created significant confusion and, in some cases, outright opposition to federal guidance aiming to protect LGBTQ+ students, according to Central Florida Public Media . While a 2024 settlement clarified some aspects of the Parental Rights in Education Act, allowing for discussions and references to LGBTQ+ topics outside of direct instruction, the broader restrictions remain in place. The ongoing legal battles and state-level resistance underscore the continued struggle for LGBTQ+ students in Florida to fully realize the protections intended by Title IX. What You Can Do Know your rights. LGBTQ+ students are protected under Title IX. If you are denied access to a restroom, harassed based on your identity, or punished for expressing yourself, you have legal grounds to act. Report violations. Start with your school or district Title IX Coordinator. Every school is required to have one. Ask for their contact information and file a written complaint. Contact OCR. If the school fails to act, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights within 180 days of the incident. You do not need a lawyer to do this. Bring a trusted adult. Students have the right to support during meetings. You can ask a parent, teacher, or advocate to attend with you. Keep records. Save emails, forms, or any responses you receive. This documentation can help if you need to escalate your complaint. Why This Matters Title IX is more than a policy. It is a promise that students cannot be denied access to education because of who they are. And while Florida’s political environment may try to blur that promise, federal law is still in effect. Students, teachers, and parents should not have to guess whether their school will follow the law. PRISM is here to provide the guidance and support you need to hold schools accountable and to make sure LGBTQ+ students are not left behind in legal gray areas. Your rights are real. Your identity matters. And Title IX still has your back.

< Back to School Policy Hub AIDS Crisis Initial Outbreak Transmission Health Repercussions Public Reaction Current Overview Initial Outbreak In May 1990, ACT-UP mounted a protest at NIH to bring awareness to the public the biomedical research in combating HIV-AIDS. (Source: Flickr, Public Domain) In June of 1981, the CDC began reporting on unusual cases of pneumonia and cancer in gay men in Los Angeles. The first known display of AIDS was on June 5th, 1981, when the CDC published an article discussing a rare lung infection that was found in 5 young gay men who were previously healthy. Over the next few days, there was an influx of opportunistic illnesses with no obvious origins. By the end of the year, 337 cases had been reported of the mysterious immune deficiency behind these infections, with upwards of 90% of infections found in males whose sexual identity was gay. 130, or around 40%, of patients, were dead by December 31st. This disorder, which would later be named AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Transmission The virus can be transmitted or "caught" by anyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, but it is most common among gay men. HIV, the precursor to AIDS, is transmitted through blood, vaginal fluid, semen, or breast milk. Check out our comprehensive article on HIV/AIDS, which includes treatment and prevention. Due to a lack of sexual education and resources for the LGBTQ+ community at the time, many men did not use condoms or take precautionary steps, such as getting tested, before engaging in sex, which allowed the virus to spread rapidly through the community without any resistance. Because of this and its prominent effect on the LBGTQ+ community (and the generally homophobic atmosphere of the early 1980s), the public was reluctant to endorse funding and research for the epidemic, coining the term "gay cancer" within a month of the first reported case. HIV would go on to infect 8-10 million people over the next decade. Health Repercussions AIDS activists from the Gay Men's Health Crisis carry a "Stop Hate. Stop AIDS" banner (Source: Wikimedia Commons) At the start of the AIDS crisis, there were no treatments or medications available to help individuals once they contracted HIV. Left untreated, the virus would often develop into AIDS once the number of CD4 cells reached a minimum threshold, which resulted in a severe weakening of one's immune system. Because of this, many infected parties caught other opportunistic illnesses, leading them to lethal infections of pneumonia, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and many more. With AIDS, their immune system was unable to fight off these infections, ultimately leading to death for many. Public Reaction Gay men were the main driving force responding to the AIDS epidemic and working for change and answers to the novel virus. The rest of the public had virtually no response as their communities weren't being as greatly affected, and the views towards the gay community were very controversial. Michael Callen and Richard Berkowitz were two gay men who advocated for sexual education during the epidemic. They published a piece of work explaining the importance of gay men using condoms during sex to prevent the spread of HIV. At the time, people still believed that HIV was restricted to white gay men. However, this was not the case, as the virus could infect anybody. Therefore, activists began emphasizing condom use for people of color and lesbians during their later campaigns. While local communities took initiative against the virus, the federal government was not as active. At the beginning of the crisis, they provided very little funding for research about the virus or preventative measures for affected communities. Activists protesting the alleged slow pace of federal research against AIDS spent the morning of May 21 marching on the NIH campus. Eighty-two demonstrators were arrested, including 21 who broke into the office of Dr. Daniel Hoth, director of NIAID's Division of AIDS. (Source: Flickr, Public Domain) Additionally, many people felt as though the government took too broad of a stance on fighting the virus, focusing their campaigns on "all" for every member of the public rather than honing in on the communities that were being disproportionately affected. The lack of response gave the virus ample time to spread at an unprecedented pace and affect thousands of people, mostly gay men. Current Overview To date, 770,000 people have died from AIDS since 1981. In 2019, 38 million people were living with HIV worldwide—there were 1.2 million in the US alone. However, the flood of support for the LGBTQ+ community within the past two decades has allowed for major developments in HIV/AIDS research. Today, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives if they seek treatment and will likely never develop AIDS. References Content Source: HIV.govDate last updated: May 01, 2019. (2021, April 8). Other health issues of special concern for people living with HIV . HIV.gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/other-health-issues-of-special-concern-for-people-living-with-hiv . Fayyad, A. (2019, July 22). The LGBTQ Health Clinic that faced a dark truth about the AIDS crisis . The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/07/us-aids-policy-lingering-epidemic/594445/ . Magazine, S. (2013, December 4). The confusing and at-times counterproductive 1980s response to the AIDS epidemic . Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-confusing-and-at-times-counterproductive-1980s-response-to-the-aids-epidemic-180948611/ . A timeline of HIV and AIDS . HIV.gov. (2021, September 7). https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/history/hiv-and-aids-timeline .

< Back to School Policy Hub Black Lives Matter What is Black Lives Matter? Black Lives Matter march in Oakland, California in 2014 (Image Source: Annette Bernhardt, December 14th, 2014) Black Lives Matter is a movement as well as an organization with the goal of fighting against white supremacy and injustices against Black communities. The movement has also strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community, with transgender and queer members having leadership roles in the organization and leaders speaking out against sidelining Black LGBTQ+ activists. Although it had its origins in the United States, the Black Lives Matter movement has remained influential internationally, having 16 chapters in total in the United States and Canada and inspiring protests for Black lives in countries as far as Israel and South Africa. Origins Black Lives Matter rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery after the death of George Floyd (Image Source: GoToVan, May 31st, 2020) Black Lives Matter began in 2013 as a hashtag on social media protesting the acquittal of George Zimmerman, murderer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It was started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, three Black women who wanted to fight against the injustice Black people face in the United States’s criminal justice system. The creation of the Black Lives Matter movement was also inspired by several human rights movements in the past, ranging from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement to the 2000s LGBTQ+ movement. Progression Although it did not gain much traction immediately after its creation, Black Lives Matter started taking off in August 2014 after news of the homicide of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer spread globally on social media. In protests and rallies speaking out against this injustice, the Black Lives Matter movement grew online and in the streets, with “#BlackLivesMatter” being used over 50 thousand times per day on social media. The movement gained even more traction after the jury involved in the case decided not to charge Darren Wilson, the police officer in question, with Michael Brown’s homicide. Since then, the movement has been vocal about police brutality and discrimination against Black communities on a grander scale. Resurgence Black Lives Matter signs on the empty pedestal of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, which was toppled by protesters for honoring a slave trader (Image Source: Caitlin Hobbs, June 7th, 2020) The Black Lives Matter movement had a resurgence on May 25, 2020, when unarmed George Floyd was murdered at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who used a violent method of restriction to hold Floyd down after allegations emerged of him using a counterfeit $20 bill. A video of this event went viral on social media, and people all over the world became enraged and took to social media and the streets to protest against police brutality and emphasize that “Black Lives Matter.” Ever since then, the Black Lives Matter movement has been increasingly active in the form of protests against more instances of police brutality and injustice, both recent and not recent, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and Rayshard Brooks. References About . Black Lives Matter. (2020, October 16). https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ . Asmelash, L. (2020, July 26). How Black Lives Matter went from a hashtag to a global rallying cry . CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/us/black-lives-matter-explainer-trnd/index.html . Ater, R. (2020, May 29). IN MEMORIAM: I CAN'T BREATHE . Renée Ater. https://www.reneeater.com/on-monuments-blog/tag/list+of+unarmed+black+people+killed+by+police . Herstory . Black Lives Matter. (2019, September 7). https://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/ . Kirby, J. (2020, June 12). "Black Lives Matter" has become a global rallying cry against racism and police brutality . Vox. https://www.vox.com/2020/6/12/21285244/black-lives-matter-global-protests-george-floyd-uk-belgium . Mercado, I. (2020, August 6). The Black Lives Matter Movement: An Origin Story . Underground Railroad Education Center. https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/the-black-lives-matter-movement-an-origin-story/ .

< Back Maxx Fenning Executive Director Maxx recently earned his degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. A staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and sexual health education, Maxx is the Executive Director of PRISM. He is also an active creator on TikTok, where he educates on many of the same topics that PRISM addresses. In his free time, Maxx enjoys singing and graphic design. < Back to Our Team

< Back to School Policy Hub Black Cat Protests What are the Black Cat Protests? Battle in Courts Legacy What are the Black Cat Protests? On February 11, 1967, the first documented LGBTQ+ civil rights demonstration against police brutality in the nation took place at a small tavern named the Black Cat in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as known activist organizations such as PRIDE and SCCHR came together for a demonstration to peacefully protest the rampant police brutality and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Protests outside the Black Cat bar, Feb. 11, 1967. (Image Source: ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at the USC Libraries) The demonstration was, more specifically, in response to a police raid that occurred the previous New Year's Eve. Eight undercover police officers barged into a gay bar just as many of the patrons were sharing their New Year's kiss and violently tore apart couples and beat men, ultimately resulting in a total of fourteen arrests. This historic and monumental demonstration of gay rights activists took place nearly two years prior to the well-known Stonewall Riots and is seen by many as the spark that ignited the LGBTQ civil rights movement. Battle in the Courts Black Cat Tavern in 1966 (Image Source: Unknown) The Black Cat constantly faced harassment from the police, who tried to do everything in their power to shut down and punish those who chose to gather there, which was, unsurprisingly, many gay males. The San Francisco Police Department worked closely with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to use its power against the bar despite the recent repeal of prior prohibition laws. With increased crowds of gay community members flocking to the bar at night, the police took this opportunity to charge the owner with a variety of crimes, including “keeping a disorderly conduct” and “illegal and immoral acts,” which resulted in the bar getting their liquor license voided, meaning the bar could no longer legally distribute alcohol to patrons. The court case appealing this ruling, Stouman vs. Riley (Stouman being the bar owner), made its way to the California Supreme Court. This court case marked one of the first official wins for LGBTQ+ rights in the court system. The judge ruled that the Black Cat’s liquor license was suspended under inadequate circumstances. The ruling confirmed that the fact that the bar served as a common gathering place for gay individuals was not a good enough cause to suspend their license. This ruling was one of the first rulings seen to protect LGBTQ+ rights. Fighting the System Following this ruling, California passed a constitutional amendment forming the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which used its broad powers to again shut down the Black Cat bar as well as many other prominently gay establishments for being a “resort for sexual perverts.” A new case was once again brought to the California Supreme Court, which upheld its previous protections for gay bars and ruled the law used to get them to shut down as unconstitutional. Despite the ruling in favor of gay establishments, it was not a complete victory since even though gay individuals could gather legally, they could not touch physically in any way, or else it would be criminalized. Another battle in court involved 6 out of the 14 men who were arrested who were forced to register as sex offenders after kissing on New Year's Eve while the police raid occurred. The lawyer of these men used their sexual orientation to demand equal protection of rights under the 14th Amendment. This is the first time that sexual orientation was argued as a characteristic protected by the 14th Amendment. Legacy The Black Cat Protests preceded the well-known Stonewall riots by approximately two years. It is remembered today as one of the very first demonstrations from the LGBTQ community demanding equal rights and fair treatment in light of the ongoing police harassment. The Gay Pride parade on Hollywood Boulevard in 1975 (Image Source: The Bruce Torrence Hollywood Photograph Collection) References Branson-Potts, H. (2017, February 8). Before Stonewall, there was the Black Cat; LGBTQ leaders to mark 50th anniversary of protests at Silver Lake . Los Angeles Times; Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-silver-lake-black-cat-lgbtq-20170208-story.html Dominguez, Laura. (2017, February 11). LGBTQ Activism Started Here: L.A. and the Black Cat Protests of 1967 . KCET. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/the-black-cat-harbinger-of-lgbtq-civil-rights Wikipedia Contributors. (2021, December 1). Black Cat Tavern . Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Cat_Tavern

< Return to STI Clinic Search FoundCare - Yolette Bonnet Center Call: (561) 660-5468 Website: https://foundcare.org/who-we-are/locations.html#collection-item-lightbox-14892284 Have you been tested here? Fill out our STI Clinic Vetting Survey to tell us about your experience! 5867 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417, USA Hours: Today (Fri): Closed All Day Sat: Closed Sun: Closed Mon: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tues: Closed Wed: Closed Thurs: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CLOSED NOW Free Testing Walk-Ins Accepted Free Condoms PrEP On-Site PrEP Referral Parking type: Lot Free Parking Tests Offered: HIV (Rapid) : Free Hepatitis C (Lab) : Free

< Back to School Policy Hub Respecting LGBTQ+ Boundaries A personal coming out story by Adrianna Gutierrez There's nothing I appreciate more than having a supportive family, especially a supportive mom. The kind of supportive mom who, even though she may not understand everything, goes out of her way to buy all the rainbow trinkets she can for you. I've also been lucky enough in my lifetime to surround myself with people that support me as well, ranging from close friends to acquaintances and even strangers. However, as grateful as I am to be supported, a lot of that support has come at the risk of my boundaries being disrespected and walked on. When I came out socially, I was in the 6th grade, and I had friends who accepted me for who I was. The only people I hadn't come out to were my family. I knew I had queer cousins who frequently interacted with my family and one whose wife we treated like family. So there was no issue, right? It was clear I had a supportive family, right? But it was still hard. Coming out was a very big step for me. Supportive family or not, I didn't want their opinions of me to change. What if me coming out specifically wasn't a good move? What if it was only a problem if I wasn't straight? So, in order to prepare myself before spilling all of these feelings, I put them in a journal that was given to me by my best friend. I learned very quickly that was a mistake. A couple of days later, my mom picked me up from school. When I got in the car, she said four words I'll never forget: "We need to talk." The whole ride home my heart was racing. What did I do? Did I say something? Did I forget something? I couldn't figure it out. We got home and she told me that she found my journal, and I had no choice but to come out to her at that moment. I cried for a couple of reasons then. I was relieved I'd done nothing wrong and was coming down from a rush of anxiety. I was relieved she accepted me, but there was one other thing. She had gone through my journal and breached my privacy. I stowed the journal away and feared using it, or any journal for that matter, ever again. I feared her breaking that boundary again, and I feared having to cry to her on our living room couch again. I feared being publicly out in my household, and I feared another family member would sit me down and make me come out again and relive the same feelings. Soon enough, to my surprise, I figured out my mom had gone on to tell my sister... and my dad... and my aunt… All without consulting me first or even telling me afterward. Do you see the pattern here? Finding out I was queer led to a blatant disregard for any privacy regarding my identity, twice . But even when my brother and sister got into their first straight relationship, they didn’t get the same treatment I did. Some might say my mom was just going to others in order to figure out what to do because she’s never had a queer child before. Nevertheless, it didn't excuse the fact that I wasn’t even told before or after. Having my boundaries overstepped led to a significant amount of discomfort and fear when it came to opening up to my family. It made me grow distant from the idea of telling them any personal feelings I was experiencing out of the same fear that someone else would be made aware without my consent. Since coming out, I’ve even had people I’ve never spoken to come up and ask me things like “How do lesbians ‘do it’?” and other blatantly sexual questions, diminishing my orientation to merely sex. Not only is being sexualized an entirely separate issue, these questions violated my privacy. People that ask me these questions tend to be straight and supportive but coat their questions with “I’m just curious!” or “I just want to learn!” Asking intrusive questions like these makes queer people very uncomfortable, puts them on the spot, and forces them to answer questions they might not even want to discuss with close friends. Queer folx may fear situations like these, which could lead them to hide information about being queer from the public. For those who are closeted, it may lead them to fear coming out at all. Dear straight people: While I and many other queer people do appreciate the straight community’s willingness to learn, there are two important questions to keep in mind in order to respect the privacy of LGBTQ+ individuals: Would you ask a straight person this? Would you appreciate it if someone asked you the same question? If your answer to either of these questions is no: then don’t ask. If you wouldn’t ask a straight person, or you’d be upset if someone asked you, why ask a queer person? While your support is appreciated, it’s no excuse to completely ignore and disrespect the privacy of someone else, especially if it’s someone you don’t know. Overall Part of allyship is ensuring that queer individuals don’t feel alienated in any context, which gives full meaning to the phrase “treat others the way you want to be treated." It means treating queer folks as equals and not talking to them or treating them any differently than you would a straight person. If you have a question and feel it may be inappropriate to ask a queer person, look it up! The internet is a vast and easily accessible resource, equipped with all the resources necessary to help you find the answers to any questions you may have.

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< Back to School Policy Hub STI Basics What is an STI? STI vs STD Getting Tested Prevention What is an STI? STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are pathogens transmitted primarily through sexual contact. While it varies depending on the specific STI, this can include anal, vaginal, or oral sex. STI vs STD You may notice that PRISM uses the term STI instead of the more commonly used term, STD. This isn’t just our preference: there are important reasons for this. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, while STD stands for sexually transmitted disease. One of the main differences between infections and diseases is that an infection is an actual pathogen (like a virus or bacteria) entering your body, whereas a disease disrupts your body’s normal functions (i.e., symptoms). All STDs start as STIs. If and when an infected person develops symptoms, it is considered an STD. For instance, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is an STI. When left untreated, you can develop AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), which is characterized by an extremely suppressed immune system. Not all STIs show symptoms. STIs that do show symptoms may take months or even years to do so. For example, part of why chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States is that it often doesn’t show symptoms. The word “disease” is also stigmatizing. PRISM is very deliberate about how we discuss STIs: they are preventable, easily treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. Contrary to popular belief, fear does not aid in prevention; it just makes it harder for us to talk about safe sex. Getting Tested One of the most important parts of maintaining your sexual health is getting tested regularly. If you've had unprotected sex (sex without using a condom, dental dam, or another barrier method), you could be at risk of contracting an STI. Some STIs don't cause symptoms right away (or at all), and some common symptoms of STDs (bumps around your genitals, vaginal/penile discharge, itching, or pain in your genitals) can have other causes completely unrelated to sexual encounters. Click here to find a local testing center. Prevention The most effective protection against STIs is abstinence. Abstinence is the practice of not having sex. If you don't have sex, you limit your exposure to STIs. However, this isn't the best solution for many people. If you plan on having sex, wear protection. Condoms and dental dams are extremely effective in preventing STIs. If you're in an at-risk group for HIV, such as MSM (men who have sex with men), consider taking PrEP. Find more information about HIV here. References Sabour, J. (2022, February 25). The Difference Between STD and STI. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/std-vs-sti-5214421 . HIV.gov. (2021, April 8). What are HIV and AIDS? HIV.gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids . What is Chlamydia?: Causes of Chlamydia Infection . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/chlamydia . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2019 . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/overview.htm#Chlamydia . Condoms . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom . Internal Condoms | Female Condoms . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/internal-condom .

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< Back to School Policy Hub Colorism What is Colorism? Colorism vs. Racism Harmful Effects Who is Impacted? Combating Colorism Conclusion What is Colorism? Colorism is the discrimination or prejudice against people of color that typically occurs amongst people of the same racial or ethnic group. Colorism, also known as shadeism, causes members of the same race to be treated differently due to social implications and cultural meanings attached to darker skin tones. Colorism vs. Racism Colorism pertains to prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory acts against people based on their skin tone. Racism relates to prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory actions against people based on their perceived or actual race. People of the same race can have different skin tones, while people of other races could have the same skin tone. In the case of colorism, two people of the same race but utterly different skin tones are treated differently. With racism, two people of varying races but identical skin color are treated differently. Harmful Effects Countless research has shown that across ethnic and racial groups, light-skinned people of color have an advantage over darker-skinned people of color. Even when including background variables such as socioeconomic status and parental dynamics, colorism is primarily related to institutional racism across the USA and could not exist without it. Colorism negatively impacts one’s self-esteem, beauty standards, and relationships. Usually, when faced with racism, people of color can turn to their communities for support, but that is not necessarily the case with colorism. People subjected to colorism may experience self-hatred related to the negative attention they receive for having a darker skin tone. Who is Impacted? Colorism does not just affect the Black community but exists and is an issue within all communities of color. When colorism is discussed, it is often referred to as being an issue only within the black community; however, colorism does affect all people of color. Colorism is not something that white people experience themselves, but it is something that white people utilize to discriminate against people of color. In mainstream media, colorism is rarely discussed. However, when colorism is mentioned, it is often in terms of “black-on-black” discrimination. This is not the only case of colorism. White people discriminate against people of color based on their skin tone, even if someone is not outright saying it. For example, the lack of diverse representation in the entertainment industry and adequate makeup palette shades are both examples of colorism in action. Combating Colorism Colorism, similar to racism, can be combated with the conscious recognition of biases that we may have towards lighter skin tones. In the case of colorism, we must not judge people of color based on their skin tone’s lightness. Image Source: Unsplash Combatting colorism may seem simple, but it is not. Of course, we should all accept people of any race regardless of their skin tone. It seems evident that people should not be judged on their race or skin tone but on their character’s content. However, colorism is already integrated within multiple societies all over the world. An advertisement displaying an Indian woman using and promoting skin-lightening products. (Image Source: Neutrogena) Skin-Lightening For example, within Bollywood in India, it is common to use skin-lightening products to acquire the generally more "desired" skin tone. These skin-lightening products make up a multi-billion dollar industry within India. To combat colorism, we need to celebrate all races, regardless of skin tone, and stop supporting companies that sell pro-colorism products. Conclusion We must not elevate people because they have a lighter skin tone. It is important to remember that white people, or people of color with lighter skin tones, can still have negative characters. Judging people based on the color of their skin creates a detriment to people of color as a whole. References colorism . (n.d.). The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorism Grant, C. S. G. (2020, November 21). What Is Colorism? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-colorism-5077380 Webb, S. L. (2020, February 29). Colorism vs. Racism: What’s the Difference? Colorism Healing. https://colorismhealing.com/colorism-and-racism/ Webb, S. L. (2013, September 13). Colorism - NCCJ . ColorismHealing. https://www.nccj.org/colorism-0 Hunter, M. H. (n.d.). The consequences of colorism. APA PsycNet. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-27188-016 Nittle, N. K. N. (2021, March 21). The Harmful Effects of Colorism . ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-effects-of-colorism-2834962 Thelwell, K. (2020, October 2). Poverty and Colorism in India . The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/colorism-in-india/ Hannon, L. (2015). White Colorism. Social Currents , 2 (1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329496514558628

< Back to School Policy Hub Mental Health Counseling and Parent Notification Mental Health Counseling and Parent Notification Mental Health Counseling and Parent Notification For many LGBTQ+ students, access to school-based mental health support can be life-changing. A trusted counselor can offer a safe place to talk about identity, relationships, family challenges, or the everyday stress of school. But in Florida, recent laws and district policies have created confusion and fear about how private those conversations really are. What the Law Says About Parental Rights Florida’s Parents’ Bill of Rights ( HB 241, 2021 ; Ch. 1014, F.S. ) gives parents broad authority over decisions affecting their child’s upbringing, education, and health care. It requires school districts to promote parental involvement and allows parents to access their child’s educational and health records. The Parental Rights in Education Act ( HB 1557, 2022 ; § 1001.42(8)(c), F.S. )—later expanded by HB 1069, 2023 ; § 1000.071, F.S. —requires that schools notify parents about certain changes in a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being and prohibits staff from discouraging parental involvement. HB 1069 also added restrictions on pronoun use and expanded the ban on classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to additional grade levels. These laws do not require counselors to automatically disclose a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity unless there is a documented safety concern. However, district-level procedures in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach have been shaped by these laws, resulting in more cautious approaches to mental health counseling and disclosure. How District Policies Apply: Miami-Dade County Public Schools Board Policy 2410.01 – Mental Health Services outlines the district’s responsibilities under state law, including offering community referrals and delivering services through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Threat Assessment & Mental Health Services Guide for School Administrators details when and how parental consent is required for referrals, and how confidentiality applies in short-term counseling. Broward County Public Schools Policy 1480 – School Counseling Records and FERPA Protections explains how counseling and psychological records are protected under FERPA and Florida law. Family Counseling Program provides free, confidential short-term counseling for students and families, with parental consent required for ongoing services or outside referrals. Palm Beach County Public Schools Palm Beach’s Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan outlines a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for student mental health, including school-based mental health professionals, co-located clinicians from community providers, and crisis intervention teams. The plan states that parent or guardian involvement is encouraged, but services may begin with student self-referral and initial confidential support, especially when safety is not an immediate concern. Official record changes, such as legal names, still require parental approval under state law. What the Law Still Allows Across all three counties, there is no statewide or district policy requiring immediate parental notification for every counseling session. A student can speak with a school counselor without automatic disclosure, unless the counselor believes the student is at risk of harm. Both Florida’s School Counseling Framework and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards recognize student confidentiality as critical for effective care. What Students and Parents Should Know Students : You have the right to request mental health support at school. Before your session, ask your counselor about confidentiality and what information may be shared. If you feel unsafe at home, make that clear—it may help protect your privacy. Parents : You have the right to be informed about significant changes affecting your child’s well-being, but not every conversation they have. Building trust helps ensure your child seeks help both at school and at home. Educators and Counselors : Know your district’s policies, state laws, and ethical codes. When uncertain, consult your legal department and follow professional counseling standards. Why This Matters Mental health support saves lives. LGBTQ+ students are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts—not because of who they are, but because of the hostility and isolation they face. Limiting confidential support only increases these risks. At a time when public policy is shifting, PRISM believes that Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach schools still have a duty to support students with care, integrity, and adherence to both the law and professional ethics. We are here to help students, parents, and school staff understand their rights and navigate these rules without fear.