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."

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Click here to read the full text of the Don't Say Gay bill.