Topline
Alabama lawmakers passed legislation Thursday that copies provisions of Florida’s HB 1557—known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law—by banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, the first in potentially a string of states that could in some way mimic the controversial Florida legislation.
Protesters against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, in … [+]
Key Facts
The Alabama House and Senate approved legislation Thursday that includes an amendment banning classroom discussions on sexual orientation or gender identity “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The amendment—tacked on to a bill banning students from using restrooms that don’t match their biological sex—was modeled after Florida’s HB 1557, which bans classroom instruction involving “sexual orientation or gender identity” through the third grade, and any discussion about it in older grades if it’s “not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.”
The legislation now must be signed by Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to become law.
Georgia, Ohio and Louisiana lawmakers have introduced similar legislation, with Louisiana’s bill also going a step further and banning teachers and school employees from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity with students.
Arizona also has introduced legislation copying another provision in HB 1557 by banning school employees from withholding information from parents about their child’s gender identity (the Florida law more vaguely bans not disclosing any changes “related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being”).
Other states have introduced legislation that’s similar but not quite the same, with bills in Indiana, Arizona and Iowa requiring schools to let parents opt out of any instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity, an Oklahoma bill barring schools and its employees from “promot[ing]
positions … in opposition to closely held religious beliefs of students,” and a
Tennessee bill would prohibit schools from using any materials that “promote, normalize, support, or address [LGBTQ] issues or lifestyles.”
What To Watch For
Even more states to introduce legislation. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) said in a campaign email sent Monday that he would make passing a HB 1557 copycat bill a “top priority” in the Texas’ legislature’s next session, which doesn’t start until next January.
Chief Critic
“All of these curriculum censorship bills seek to erase and stigmatize young people who already experience marginalization,” Aaron Ridings, chief of staff and deputy executive director for public policy and research at LGBTQ youth advocacy group GLSEN, told the Hill, calling them “a step backward.”
Key Background
Florida’s HB 1557 has become a major source of national controversy, as critics have decried the legislation for the harmful impact it could have on LGBTQ youth. Though the law does not take effect until July 1, NBC News reports it’s already having an impact, with some LGBTQ teachers in Florida already quitting their jobs due to discrimination. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has encouraged LGBTQ Floridians to move to the city to escape the law, and the U.S. Department of Education has said it will closely watch how the law is implemented to determine whether it violates civil rights law. The widespread opposition to the law has also inflamed tensions on the right as conservatives defend the legislation. Disney’s statement coming out against the law and vowing to help strike it down (after initially drawing controversy for not speaking out sooner) has infuriated Republicans, and led Florida lawmakers to call for the company to lose some of the perks the state legislature has afforded it.
Further Reading
Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Into Law Despite Controversy (Forbes)
Bathroom legislation turns into ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, gets Alabama Legislature’s approval (Montgomery Advertiser)
GOP lawmakers introduce version of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Ohio (ABC News)
‘I cannot teach in Florida’: LGBTQ educators fear fallout from new school law (NBC News)
Mayor Adams Invites LGBTQ Floridians Upset With ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law To Move To NYC (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/08/alabama-lawmakers-advance-copy-of-floridas-dont-say-gay-law-and-these-states-could-be-next/