The bill aims to limit discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.
A bill aimed at tightening restrictions on discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools is moving forward in the Alabama General Assembly and passed by the state House on Tuesday.
Current law states that in kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms, “no classroom discussion or instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity may occur in a manner that is not age- or developmentally appropriate for the student, in accordance with state standards.” ” is stipulated.
The bill would extend this restriction to eighth grade and ban the display of flags symbolizing sexual orientation or gender identity in K-12 schools.
Gender identity, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is “an individual's sense of being male, female, transgender, or something else.”
According to the CDC, sexual orientation refers to “the sexual and emotional attraction one person has to another, and the behaviors and/or social affiliations that may result from this attraction.”
The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Mac Butler, said during a March hearing that the bill was a response to “some of the indoctrination that's going on.” He said the bill is aimed at “cleaning up schools.”
“It's part of Marxism that we're destroying families and teaching these things,” Butler said. “Please let me do it somewhere other than school.”
Critics argue that these restrictions, dubbed “Don't Say I'm Gay,” could broadly limit conversations about gender and sexuality, including both non-LGBTQ and LGBTQ identities. .
They also argue that the bill violates the First Amendment rights of students and teachers and could silence LGBTQ students and teachers in the classroom.
In a statement opposing the bill, the ACLU of Alabama said, “If passed, HB130 would remove essential comprehensive discussion at every stage of life from Alabama's classrooms and students.” Ta.
A similar law in Florida sparked controversy over its limits, leading to nearly identical policies across the country. However, a lawsuit against the bill was settled.
The judges ruled that students and educators can discuss LGBTQ topics and write about such topics in their work as long as the conversation is not part of the formal curriculum. Both sides of the debate claimed the decision was a victory.
