In Ohio, two Republican state lawmakers introduced a bill that closely resembles Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law.
House Bill 616 would ban the teaching or providing of "any curriculum or instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity" to students in kindergarten through third grade, using similar language to Florida's provision.
However, the bill also goes a step further than the recently passed Florida law, forbidding Ohio public school educators in grades 4 through 12 from teaching or using "instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity in any manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."
It would also ban curriculum for all grades that may teach, promote or endorse what it calls "divisive or inherently racist concepts." The measure would outlaw any textbook, instructional material or academic curriculum that "promotes" concepts including critical race theory, intersectional theory, The 1619 Project, diversity, equity and inclusion learning outcomes, inherited racial guilt or "any other concept that the state board of education defines as divisive or inherently racist."
One of the bill's sponsors, state Rep. Mike Loychik, tweeted April 5 that "curriculum about gender identity and sexuality has no place in K-3 classrooms, period."
Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro told CNN that the broad language in the bill could significantly hinder educators' approach to certain topics, out of fear they could lose their jobs. LGBT groups and Democrats sharply criticized the proposed bill.