‘Don’t Say Gay’ Legislation Filed in Georgia General Assembly
“don’t say gay” bill, similar legislation was filed in the Georgia State Assembly.A bill (SB 613) filed by Georgia state Sen.
Carden Summers tackles both the teaching of "critical race theory" and the treatment of LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom. In a single bill, the legislation places restrictions on a wide variety of topics that Republican lawmakers have targeted in legislatures across the country.Regarding LGBTQ+ issues, the bill suggests educators have “inappropriately discussed gender identity with children who have not yet reached the age of discretion."“Such a focus on racial and gender identity and its resulting discrimination on the basis of color, race, ethnicity, and national origin is destructive to the fabric of American society,” the bill reads.Should the bill pass, it would restrict how such topics can be addressed by teachers.“No private or nonpublic school or program to which this chapter applies shall promote, compel, or encourage classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the student,” the bill states.That’s the language that appeared in early drafts of Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill.
Before the legislature passed the bill and sent it to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, the language changed to only apply to “instruction,” not “discussion.” It also replaced the vague ban on the material in “primary grade levels” to explicitly say kindergarten through third grade but retained the continued restriction on subjects in all grade levels to occur in an “age-appropriate way.”Of note, the Georgia legislation aims to regulate curriculum in private institutions.
