BILL: Do You Support A National "Don't Say Gay" Bill?
Demand your reps act on the GOP's "Stop The Sexualization of Children" bill
The Bill
Bill Status
- House and Senate: Not yet voted
- President: Not yet signed
Bill Overview
-
Introduced by House Republicans, the "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act" would prohibit using federal funds to develop, implement, or facilitate any program, event, or media that introduces gender identity, sexual orientation, or "related subjects" to children under the age of 10. It's inspired by Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill.
What's in the bill?
Bans Broad Language Around LGBTQIA+ Topics
- This bill bans language around sexual orientation and gender identity, which in the legislation is grouped together with explicit sexual content such as pornography.
- Argues sex-ed programs for kids under 10 encourage inappropriate discussions of sexuality, sexual orientation, and identity. This includes "lewd or
- lascivious depiction or description" of human genitals.
No Funds for Non-Hetero Material
- The law would halt funds from being used to support any "sexually-oriented" programs, events, and literature for children under 10 in federal, state, and local government agencies and federal organizations — including schools, libraries, universities, hospitals, medical clinics, etc.
- A pediatric hospital could be sued for having a pride flag or a medical pamphlet about gender dysphoria.
- A library could be sued for having drag-queen story hour.
- Transgender workers could be fired for their identity.
Allows Parents to Sue Over Classroom Material
- Parents will have the right to sue if their child is exposed to prohibited material that is funded "in whole or in parts" by federal funds.
Argument in Favor
- Supporters of the bill argue discussions of any non-heteronormative behavior are inappropriate and sexualize children.
- Conservatives complain that mentioning sexual orientation & gender identity will have developmental impacts on children.
- Bill advocates also say the classroom narratives revolving around "woke gender ideology" and gender transitions without the knowledge of and consent of parents prove an "alternative leftist agenda."
- Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) said:
"The Democrat Party and their cultural allies are on a misguided crusade to immerse young children in sexual imagery and radical gender ideology."
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said:
"We will make sure that parents can send their kids to school to get an education, not an indoctrination...It's not something that's appropriate for any place, but especially not in Florida."
Argument Opposed
- LGBTQIA+ groups, allies, and critics of the bill argue that it marginalizes the LGBTQIA+ community, obscures gay history, and popularizes anti-gay sentiment.
- This bill will fuel bullying, magnify feelings of isolation, and intensify shame, increasing the chances of suicide in the LGBTQIA+ community (1.8 million LGBTQ youth consider suicide each year in the U.S., and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.)
- Opponents also argue that grouping pornography and LGBTQIA+ topics is a deeply inaccurate and offensive portrayal of the gay community. Additionally, this bill inherently sexualizes the education of the human body, when children should be able to learn about their bodies — safely and accurately.
- David Stacy, Human Rights Campaign Government Affairs Director, said:
"Extremist House Republicans like Mike Johnson are continuing their assault on LGBTQ+ Americans' ability to live their lives openly and honestly. A federal 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' bill...is their latest cruel attempt to stigmatize and marginalize the community, not in an attempt to solve actual problems but only to rile up their extremist base."
Click here to read the full text of the Don't Say Gay bill.
Demand your reps act on the GOP's "Stop The Sexualization of Children" bill.
The Latest
-
Election News: Second Trump Assassination Attempt, and Poll UpdatesElection Day is 6 weeks away. Here's what's going on in the polls and the presidential candidates' campaigns. September 24 , read more... Congress Shenanigans
-
More Women Face Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall, Report FindsWhat’s the story? A report released by Pregnancy Justice, a women's health advocacy group, found that women have been read more... Advocacy
-
IT: 🗳️ A Guide to National Voter Registration DayWelcome to Tuesday, September 17th, voters... Today is National Voter Registration Day, a day dedicated to encouraging you to read more...
-
Election Protection: How To Defend Your Right to VoteThe election is only five days away and concerns over safety while voting are growing. As political violence rises, it’s read more... Public Safety
I suggest that we initiate a potical ethics law to use as a mandate to impeach and remove any politician who aspires to take away the rights of any citizen not guilty of any crime solely for political expediency to appeal to hate filled MAGA-nuts, white nationalist, Christian Nationalist, or just plain bigoted base.
I want a do not say 'Republican' law as they are collectively leading the charge to take the rights of people away in their drive toward establishing a fascist, autocratic, keptocratic, theocracy right here is the former USA.
What a ridiculous and unconstitutional attempt, causing untold harm!
I won hundred percent endorse the stopping of mutilating minor children surgically or by hormones to change that birth sex. The use of federal tax dollars, or state tax dollars, for this purpose is beyond the pale. The grim statistics clearly show that these procedures follow these individuals for the rest of their life.
Today Justice Clarence Thomas proved to the world just how corrupt the Supreme Court has become by letting Lindsey Graham off the hook. Clarence Thomas should be kicked off the court now he has proved he's not worthy of his job, he and his wife are both nut cases. I don't know where the Republicans going but it certainly seems to be heading in the direction of down the toilet.
Oppose this bill as misguided at best and hateful at worst.
I support the Florida Law that came to be called Don't say gay. The entire USA should follow the example of the Florida Law in this regard and that resulted from the Radical Leftist handling of the China Virus Pandemic. The Florida Legislature took Swift and Proper Action in ensuring that no Jurisdiction issues Stand Down Orders when Riots and Civil Unrest occurs. To ensure Police Officers are supported and Police Departments are Funded and never Defended. Florida Enacted other Laws to prevent Lockdowns in any future "Emergency" situations and the USA should do the same. We can not allow Riots, Looting, Arson, Destroying Property Public and Private, Violence and other Crimes in the name of Mostly Peaceful Protest. Groups such as BLM/ANTIFA must be identified and treated as Terrorist Organizations and any Person and/or Corporation supporting these Groups are committing a Major Felony and will be Prosecuted as such. Destruction of Statues and other Government Property will not be tolerated. People that are in charge of Law Enforcement must Enforce Laws, all Laws at All times. Or, Face immediate removal from office and Prosecution. And the Punishment Must be Severe. There is much more that we have learned and must address in our Laws.
And, we must enact Campaign Spending Limits so that MONEY is not how Elections are Decided. The Game must be Equal and the Funding and Dark money can be addressed by limiting the amount that is legal to be spent on campaigns. And We need a Law that Requires Politicians to speak only the Truth at ALL times from the moment they announce their campaign until their the end of their final day in office. For Appointees and Dept Heads from day1 on the job until the end of the final day in office. While speaking anywhere and at any time they must speak the truth in all talk the even Remotely relates to the People's Business. Immediate Suspension without pay for Politicians and after Due Process Termination if guilty. All Pensions and other Benefits and Perks Forfeited. Same for Appointees and Dept Heads, etc. We must address all the Corruption and Government Overreach and Refusal/Failure to Enforce OUR LAWS and Manage The Peoples Business within the U.S Constitution and Current Laws. Criminal Actions of The President, Congress Members, Dept Heads and Appointees must be Major Felonies and Immediate Removal from Office and Prosecution must become Law. We must be able to take corrective action even when all Branches are Held by ONE Party. So, there is a lot of work to do. And I expect that this Laws are already being Written to make necessary changes.
No one is trying to sexualize children. The use of the term "Groomer" is not only highly offensive, but it is also wrong as the majority of groomers are white , middle aged, heterosexual men.
What I think must happen and should happen, is that Flordia must now chanmge their 'Welcome to Florida" signs and state,"WELCOME TO FLORIDA-We are RACISTS, BIGOTS and we HATE THE LGBTQ+ Community and don't want you to exist in our State".
Of course, Florida DOES want the LGBTQ+ TOURISM money, so tell DeSantis to put his mouth where the money is and make the signs and make it official!
Betcha his wealthy donors won't like him come tourist season, will they?!
When I served in Uniform "Don't /reach down to pidk up your soap if you drop it it in the swhower was an early lesson in basic training. We did not tolerate deviant behaviour. "don't ask, don't tell" was not acceptable. We must rerturn to th4 WWII guideliines, or We will will never win aqnother War. It is not aqn accident that USA lost every War after USA joined NATO, and the "United Nations". The UN, and NATO are not Our friends They both want to subject Us to their rule.It will not be nice.. USA will suffer, and lose freedom.
I am an lesbian from Norway, but I think that my brothers and sisters in America don't need this!
Children under 10 don't need to be taught anything about sexuality in school. To be honest, children of any age don't need to be taught anything about sexuality in school. I would much prefer to teach my children what I think is correct. And you should do the same, not let other people do it, no matter how good intentioned.
I know many people who are gay, and as long as they do not impende their ideologies onto me, I frankly really don't give a damn. I do however protest what this country is doing with young children that are in elementary and middle school. I believe this administration is trying to eliminate, any reproduction of human beings and human life. They have shown how much they truly care for human life with their abortions.
This too, is for "the person" involved to speak/or not about his/her human status. Butt Out!
This bill is ridiculous. I can't figure out why Republicans need to tear down people and destroy their lives just to get a vote. Gays, trans, etc. have been contributing to cultures all over the world for centuries. Bullying people because Republicans can't stand on issues and don't care about America's future is pathetic. #educateyourselves #votethemout
Another attempt at limliting freedom!
Just stop already the attempt to control our choices.
End discrimination of all types, especially against the LGBTQ community. Our differences must be taught and embraced. Denying their existence does more harm than good.
It will be a terrible time if we begin making discrimination laws. If parents want to control the literature their children hear, read it yourself first. This law is obscene!!!
I retired from a 38 year teaching career last year. I have never known a teacher to initiate a discussion about sexual preferences. This is more Republican Quanon rubbish. Freedom of speech must remain for the teachers, students, counselors, & administrators so that students can freely talk to us. Nobody is indoctrinating anyone at school with anything. 🤦🏼♀️
I don't know that I'd support this law, but I don't think we should be talking to anyone's children about anything of a sexual nature before they're in junior high. We certainly shouldn't be talking to 3d and 4th graders in a sexual nature. Can't say I like the idea of language bans any better than being told I must use certain pronouns over others. This bill seems more a knee-jerk reaction to the Democrats push to bring issues of gender into the classroom. The classroom is not the place for issues of gender or religion. Our kids are falling behind in reading and math. This is what we need to concentrate on in our schools. Leave politics and morality for after school and weekends.
bullshit, plain and simple.
When I was in middle school, and high school, many of my teachers openly spoke about thier husbands, or wives, as well as their children. is that ''hetrosexual indoctrination''?
understanding other people is essestial to society. ''othering'' people leads to violence, and ignorant attatudes.
this bill is unAmerican, and just plain wrong.
Leave children alone. Stop sexualizing everything they do.
Leave our children alone. Then them discover their bodies in their time their way
Demand your reps act on the "Stop The Sexualization of Children" bill
Legislation of discriminatory language by its elimination from the common vernacular in today's society is ludicrous. It echoes “Thought Police” in Orwell’s novel. Avoiding a subject does not make it go away, it only enhances the subject and makes it an anomaly to be investigated. Enquiring minds will find a way. If these people don’t want to discuss the topic, don’t … and also be prepared to accept the consequences for deciding to live under a rock. If these people are fearful or having difficulty in dealing with the full spectrum of human sexuality as a topic, then get educated or get professional help, but leave those of us who are a little more socially, ethically, and morally developed to continue to have open and honest conversations with and about an authentic part of the world’s population.