Louisiana became the latest state to file a Florida-style "Don't Say Gay" bill when state Rep. Dodie Horton (R-Haughton) introduced new legislation March 17 on the house floor, according to WWNO.org .
The bill, HB 837, would limit, and in some grades prohibit, the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools.
The measure states that "no teacher, school employee or other presenter shall cover the topics of sexual orientation or gender identity in any classroom discussion or instruction in kindergarten through grade eight." It also says "no teacher, school employee or other presenter shall discuss his own sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through grade twelve."
At least four states in addition to Florida—Tennessee, Kansas, Indiana and Oklahoma—had introduced "Don't Say Gay" bills as of mid-February, according to The Hill. (Georgia has its own version as well, NBC News noted.) On the opposite end of the spectrum, at least four other states—California, Colorado, Illinois and New Jersey—mandate that schools teach LGBTQ history, Education Week noted.
Florida's bill, which is still awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature, has similar provisions as Horton's but is much more expansive.
The entire measure can be viewed at legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx.
