Yesterday, Alabama state lawmakers moved forward with legislation that attempts to ban classroom discussions that mention gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools through 12th grade. Currently, the law extends through 5th grade.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, is now in the hands of the Alabama House of Representatives to be voted upon (The House Education Policy Committee already voted in favor of the law).
If approved, this legislation will make Alabama’s existing “Don’t Say Gay” law even more prohibitive. According to The Hill, the proposal strikes from current legislation the line specifying that such discussions may not be provided “in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate or is not in accordance with state standards.” If approved, the bill will also ban Pride flags from being flown in classrooms, as well as any LGBTQ+ stickers/signs being displayed on school property.
“No teacher, or other public K-12 employee, may display a flag or other insignia relating to or representing sexual orientation or gender identity in a classroom or on the property of a public K-12 school,” the amendment reads.
The expansion of Alabama’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws comes as no surprise. A myriad of “Don’t Say Gay” bills have swept the nation.
The Associated Press reports that Butler said, “Hopefully, this will send the message that it’s inappropriate for the instructors, the teachers, to teach sexual orientation and gender identity.”
“We’re bullying a certain class or group of people because they don’t have the representation to fight back,” House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said in a statement according to the AP.
BREAKING- Alabama lawmakers just advance a “don’t say gay” billl. The measure bans teacher-led discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also fines, possibly fire any educator who displays a Pride flags in their classroom.
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— Lovable Liberal and his Old English sheepdog (@DougWahl1) March 20, 2024
