Throughout the country, students are staring down the barrel of bills targeting discussions of sexuality, gender identity and LGBTQ-related topics in classrooms, made more visible by the recent passage of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida. Even the possibility of these bills being passed has stoked frustration, confusion and feelings of hopelessness among LGBTQ youths across the U.S., several high school students told USA TODAY. The Florida bill, formally titled Parental Rights in Education, restricts discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in elementary schools. Since being signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis this spring, more than a dozen bills with similar intentions restricting conversations on LGBTQ topics have been introduced across the country. The legislation has worried students for whom schools may be the only place they can speak openly on LGBTQ issues. Tap our link in bio to read more about how the students are feeling, in their own words.