In a move that has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and educators, Republican state Rep. Mack Butler of Alabama is pushing for an expansion of the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Under his proposed bill, mentions of LGBTQ+ people and history would be banned in Alabama’s schools all the way through the 12th grade.
Butler, who authored the initial “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, claims that parents have lost control over education and that his bill aims to put them back in charge. He argues that this step is necessary to prevent children as young as five from accessing sexually explicit content in school libraries, although no credible evidence supports such claims.
Moms for Liberty and Clean Up Alabama are among the groups supporting Butler’s efforts, seeking to expel LGBTQ+ identity from classrooms. Their agenda includes advocating for the removal of LGBTQ+ books from school libraries, citing concerns about confusion and inappropriate material.
Despite the lack of scientific backing, Butler insists that his agenda is about protecting children’s innocence and argues that gender identity is a “fad.” He claims that most parents want to shield their children from LGBTQ+ content and assignments related to it.
The controversy surrounding Butler’s proposed legislation underscores the ongoing battle over LGBTQ+ education and inclusion in schools, with advocates emphasizing the importance of providing inclusive and comprehensive education that respects all identities and backgrounds.
