Forging Ahead in Florida: Teaching and Supervision Strategies in the Face of Legislative Restrictions and Medical Bans

Abstract

As a nation and a profession, we have witnessed a spark in the momentum and uplifting of social justice movements and advocacy concerning the ongoing oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as sex and gender-expansive (SGE) people in our community. In response, Florida and other states face an onslaught of restrictive medical bans and legislative bills surrounding how counselors and educators address race, sexuality, and gender in treatment and training programs. Florida has notably been at the forefront of adopting this legislation, not only regulating instructor-led discussion around racism, same-sex relationships, and gender identity in various educational settings but also banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. In this article, we review the legislative and regulatory impacts of race, sex, and gender-based legislation in Florida on education and healthcare, providing strategies for counselor educators, counselors, and trainees in the areas of teaching and supervision.