Make a Difference Marathon: Orlando's LGBTQ Youth

On January 1st, 2022, the marathon trials qualifying window opened – welcoming those who achieved these time standards to participate in the 2024 USATF Olympic Team Marathon Trials. In November of 2022, it was announced that Orlando would be the host site for the Olympic Trials – the first time that a city in Florida will be hosting this event.

At the one year out mark, 96 women and 106 men had qualified for the event. Now that the qualifying window has closed, roughly 400 athletes will line up between the men and women’s races on February 3rd, 2024.

While news of new qualifiers has been exciting to watch over the past 2 years, news within the host state has been less than stellar.

In February 2022, the Florida House of Representatives passed the Parental Rights in Education bill more commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. 2 weeks later, the Florida Senate passed the bill and it was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28th, 2022. The Parental Rights in Education bill went into effect on July 1st, 2022.

This law is most notable for its controversial sections that prohibit public schools from having discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through 3rd grade or in any grade if deemed to be against the state’s law. For full text on the bill, see below.

The Parental Rights in Education bill transforms what once may have felt like a safe space for the LGBTQ+ youth into an unsafe space. This bill impacts the mental health of the LGBTQ+ students in Florida, as laws like these will contribute to the already existing stigma and discrimination to this community. The LGBTQ+ youth, a group already at a higher risk of suicide and self-harm, are now at an even greater risk for bullying, depression, and suicide.

Children deserve the opportunity to learn about themselves and their community in a safe and inclusive environment. That is why, I am teaming up with the Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA) to collect donations throughout my marathon build.

Orlando Youth Alliance is a 501© (3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide that safe space for LGBTQ+ youth in Central Florida. Over the past 32 years, OYA has helped 2,300 youth (2 of which now serve on the board of directors) through a variety of offerings such as: peer-to-peer support, social and educational activities, LGBTQ+ history and cultural classes, scholarships and grants, career exploration, and mental health referrals. For more information on Orlando Youth Alliance, see below.

As a Colorado resident, I may not be able to volunteer my time to help OYA. However, I can continue to learn about the law’s government is making on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, talk about this new knowledge I've gained with others, and support local organizations such as OYA who can make a serious change.

Throughout the next 8 weeks, I will utilize my social media (Instagram: @rosamoriello) to post updates on my training as well as information I’ve learned about the LGBTQ+ communities in Florida. I encourage you to follow along as well as donate to the cause.

My fundraising goal is to collect $150 for every kilometer in a marathon (42) to total $6,300 in donations. Thank you in advanced for your donation! Your support can help continue to fund these programs that help the LGBTQ+ youth in central Florida.

Orlando Youth Alliance

In 2022, OYA provided 6 scholarships to those continuing their education past high school as well as 3 scholarships for attendees at CampOUT – a week long overnight summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth.

Orlando Youth Alliance believes providing these services and promoting participation in the LGBTQ+ community is the way for the LGBTQ+ youth to fully understand their uniqueness and find a sense of belonging.

Parental Rights in Education

Requires district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with certain provisions of law for notifying student's parent of specified information; requires such procedures to reinforce fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding upbringing & control of their children; prohibits school district from adopting procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying parent about specified information or that encourage student to withhold from parent such information; prohibits school district personnel from discouraging or prohibiting parental notification & involvement in critical decisions affecting student's mental, emotional, or physical well-being; prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels; requires school districts to notify parents of healthcare services; authorizes parent to bring action against school district to obtain declaratory judgment; provides for additional award of injunctive relief, damages, & reasonable attorney fees & court costs to certain parents.

Sources

The Dangerous Consequences of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

The Trevor Project 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Florida

Parental Rights in Education Bill

Orlando Youth Alliance