Republicans Feud on House Floor Over Anti-LGBTQ School Bill
Republicans battled on the state House floor over a bill that would limit discussions over sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom even further than Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.The House bill, sponsored by Republican Ann Kelley, was introduced on February 23 and read a second time on February 27.
The proposed Parental Rights in Education law states that "no nurse, counselor, teacher, principal, contracted personnel, or other administrative official at a public or charter school shall discuss gender identity or sexual orientation with a minor student" unless they're a licensed mental health care provider and have a guardian's permission.The proposed legislation in Missouri is one of the latest in a series of anti-LGBTQ bills being pushed forward in Republican-controlled states, where LGBTQ rights advocates say their community is under attack.
Many of these bills have found a roadblock along the way of approval because of issues related to the language used to refer to sexual orientation and gender identity.Republican Representatives Phil Christofanelli and Kelley argued about the Missouri bill's text last week, with Christofanelli challenging the point of the proposed legislation and its feasibility."You mentioned George Washington, who is Martha Washington?" Christofanelli asked, as can be seen in a clip shared on Twitter. "His wife," Kelley responded."With your bill, how could that be mentioned in the classroom?" Christofanelli argued. "To me, that's not sexual orientation," Kelley answered."Really?
So it's only certain sexual orientations that you want to prohibit from introduction in the classroom," Christofanelli fired back. "I did not introduce your bill, I didn't write it—you wrote it.
