I know this is far from the worst thing happening in Florida right now, trust me.

I'm a SpEd coordinator in a high school. My office has been rainbow-themed since I started teaching- never explicitly LGBTQ, but very very colorful. On Thursday, I took it all down. Everything. I'd taken down my pride flag awhile ago, but Thursday, all my posters, garland on the walls, mousepad, pencil holder, art made by students, etc all came home. I'm sitting at home today (Saturday) and unpacking it all, trying to figure out of it's even worth keeping. I just don't feel safe having it there. I am afraid I'd be risking my teaching license if a student or parent complained.

My office is so empty. This was hundreds of dollars of decorations, years worth of collecting them. I'm working on getting new stuff, but every time I go in there and see it so empty, I just get sad. I'm afraid students will ask why I don't have their artwork displayed anymore. It looks like I've just moved into this office. I've been here for years.

I hate to say I'm giving up, because I remember being SO excited when I met an LGBTQ teacher when I was a kid and learning it was something I can do. I know I've been that person to students and I wish I could keep being that person but I just feel like I've run out of energy.