Alabama state legislators moved forward on Wednesday with a proposal that would stop discussions or teaching on gender identity or sexual orientation in public schools up to 12th grade, going beyond the current law that goes up to 5th grade.
The House Education Policy Committee advanced the legislation, which now goes to the Alabama House of Representatives for a full vote.
The proposal revises the language of the current law. It removes the part of the law that says such discussions should not be given “in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate or is not in accordance with state standards.”
Many similar bills, often known as “Don’t Say Gay” bills, have been in the spotlight across the country.
An amendment to the bill also prohibits the display of the Pride flag in classrooms. Teachers are also not allowed to display any LGBTQ+ signs on the school property.
“No teacher, or other public K-12 employee, may display a flag or other symbol related to or representing sexual orientation or gender identity in a classroom or on the property of a public K-12 school,” the amendment read.
The person behind the bill, Rep. Mack Butler (R) said, The Associated Press reported, “Hopefully, this will send the message that it’s inappropriate for the instructors, the teachers, to teach sexual orientation and gender identity.”
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said in a statement reported by the AP that the measure is “almost like bullying to be honest with you.”
“We’re bullying a certain class or group of people because they don’t have the representation to fight back,” Daniels said.
