Louisiana Legislature passes version of so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Senate gave final approval to the state's version of the controversial "Don't Say Gay' bill that would ban teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation. Teachers would also be barred from talking about their own identities.

HB122 by state Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, essentially would ban discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom and during extracurricular activities. She said the bill is in defense of kids to protect them from topics their families may disapprove of.

“We are the last line of protection for our children,” Horton said in an April debate. “This is meant to protect them from conversations that their parents are having to approve that have no part of the curriculum, has no part of the subject being taught.”

LGBTQ rights advocates testified that the bill directly targets them by stifling questions and conversations around their community. It also would outlaw Genders & Sexualities Alliances (GSA) groups that many feel are safe spaces for young people to learn about their identities.

Local school boards would determine the potential punishment for violating this law. Some lawmakers spoke against the bill stating this could lead to an even bigger teacher shortage in the state as educators would fear the blurred definition of gender identity and sexual orientation.

The bill was approved by the Senate 28-7 on Thursday, May 23. The House passed it with a 69-28 vote in April. It next goes to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk, and he is anticipated to sign it.

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