Alabama Lawmakers Vote To Expand ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law

Lawmakers in the Alabama House of Representatives have approved a bill to expand the state’s current “Don’t Say Gay” law prohibiting instruction or classroom discussion about LGBTQ topics in public schools. https://twitter.com/ReligionProf/status/1783258869721891102 From AL.com:

HB130 by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would expand the ban that now applies from kindergarten through fifth grade to apply through 8th grade. The ban was first passed in 2022 and was similar to a law passed in Florida that opponents called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The House approved Butler’s bill 74-25 after a long discussion Tuesday, with Republicans voting in favor of it and Democrats opposed. The bill moves to the Senate.

Butler’s bill was initially written to extend the prohibition through 12th grade. But Butler supported an amendment by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, to stop the prohibition at 8th grade.

The new legislation would also ban teachers and other school employees from displaying a rainbow Pride flag or insignia in a classroom or on school property. This is where I point out the sad irony that Butler’s district includes Rainbow City. https://twitter.com/ALReporter/status/1783132789421809903