You know, in many places, I think things are even worse today. School board meetings are erupting in shouts and threats of violence as Christian parents try to stop public schools from so much as mentioning LGBTQ issues or sex in class.

Many school systems that used to have no problem supporting LGBTQ students with clubs and activities are either canceling them or discouraging participation by requiring parental notification. They're turning to a tactic of requiring notification for all club activities to get around claims of discrimination under title nine.

There's also an organized campaign by conservative Christian parents to have school boards write LGBTQ discrimination protection out of school district policies. Districts in more liberal states are holding out, but policies are falling victim elsewhere.

The current political climate fueled by demagogues like Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis is fueling a lot of hate, and some of it is already having very negative consequences.