Ohio Introduces Its Own "Don’t Say Gay" Bill
Ohio lawmakers Monday introduced the state’s version of Florida’s so-called "Don’t Say Gay" bill, which would limit how sexual orientation and gender identity are taught in schools.
H.B. 616, introduced by Republican state Representatives Mike Loychik and Jean Schmidt, would ban discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K–3, applying to all public schools and most private schools. Older grades can discuss the issues, but the material would have to be “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
For violating the bill, educators could face suspension while schools face the loss of state funds, according to the Los Angeles Blade.
In addition, the legislation bans other divisive concepts like the 1619 Project, Critical Race Theory and “any other concept that the state board of education defines as divisive or inherently racist.”
The proposal follows Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature on the state’s so-called "Don’t Say Gay" bill, which bans classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K–3 and allows parents to sue schools or teachers. Last week, the legislation received a challenge in court, with LGBTQ+ rights groups Equality Florida and Family Equality filing a lawsuit against the law.
LGBTQ+ advocates in Ohio noted the similarities between Ohio’s measure and the one that passed in Florida, calling the legislation “Ohio’s Don’t Say Gay" bill. Statewide LGBTQ+ rights group Equality Ohio deemed the bill is “more dangerous” than Florida’s, calling it “more broad and vague.”
“Ohio’s Don’t Say Gay bill is yet another insidious attempt to chill and censor free speech in the classroom. Lawmakers are effectively trying to erase LGBTQ+ people and skew history in their favor,” said Alana Jochum, the group’s executive director. “Attacks like these are a product of a small minority of people pushing their agenda to dismantle diversity at all costs – and in the process putting educators and families in jeopardy for political gain.”
Loychik touted his legislation in a press release, saying the bill “promotes free and fair discussion.”
Schmidt added: “The classroom is a place that seeks answers for our children without political activism. Parents deserve and should be provided a say in what is taught to their children in schools. The intent of this bill is to provide them with the tools to be able to see what their child is being taught.”
However, Equality Ohio said it would erase an already marginalized group of people and “deeply harm” the more than 30% of LGBTQ+ adults who are raising kids in Ohio.
The Ohio Education Association (OEA), one of Ohio’s largest groups representing educators, also denounced the bill.
“Why would Ohio want to follow in Florida’s footsteps after it forced a showdown with Disney, one of the state’s biggest employers?” said Scott DiMauro, OEA’s president. “H.B. 616 is exactly the kind of legislation that could send Intel and other major employers running, hurting our students’ future job prospects for decades to come.”
DiMauro was referring to Intel’s January announcement that it would invest billions and build two new “leading-edge” chip factories in Ohio.
“These politicians are continuing to use race and sexual orientation as wedge issues to score cheap political points, and they should be ashamed of themselves,” DiMauro added.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Judge Rules Ohio Trans Birth Certificate Policy Is Unconstitutional
California Ιs Βanning State-Sponsored Travel To Ohio Over Their Anti-LGBTQ+ Law
Florida Governor Signs "Don’t Say Gay" Bill While Surrounded By Kids Holding Anti-LGBTQ+ Signs
"Don’t Say Gay": Florida’s “Hateful” Bill “Designed To Attack LGBTQ+ Kids” Continues To Advance
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
