Palm Beach Schools unanimously declares October as LGBTQ+ History Month

By Michael Costeines

Published Oct. 19, 2023, 12:17 p.m. ET | Updated Oct. 19, 2023

Rainbow pride flag on a road, June 17, 2019. (Photo/Filmbetrachter, Pixabay)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach County School Board Wednesday voted unanimously to approve October as LGBTQ+ History Month.

Preceding the vote, School Board Member Marcia Andrews read the proclamation. The item carried without board member comment. The proclamation also received little push back during public comment.

Per the order, Palm Beach Schools recognized the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning community for “great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society.” Further, the order acknowledged roles of the community in creating the “social, legal, and political worlds” of today.

While expressing their commitment to the community’s equity and equal rights in the proclamation, the school district vowed to protect LGBTQ+ youth and their ability to “learn without the fear of harassment and discrimination.” It added LGBTQ+ educators, families, and students should be backed to “live an affirmative life with dignity and respect.”

According to the proclamation, the district has enacted a number of measures protecting the LGBTQ+ community. Those policies include Non-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, and Protecting Students from Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Discrimination.

In September, the Miami-Dade County School Board rejected October as LGBTQ+ History Month for the second year in a row in a 5-3 vote. The district also dismissed October as LGBTQ+ History Month in a 8-1 decision last year.

In August, the Broward County School Board passed a resolution adopting a National Day of Silence for the LGBT community on April 12. 2024. The vote was 6-2 in favor.

While approved by Palm Beach Schools, the proclamation follows a different tone compared to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.

Back in May, DeSantis signed the “Let Kids be Kids” bill package. The bundled legislation includes protecting kids from having to declare their pronouns in schools and ensured all Florida bathrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms have designated facilities based on biological sex.