The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would ban teachers from displaying pride flags or buttons on school campuses and prevent any discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity through 12th grade.
That prohibition is already law through fifth grade, but Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, has been working with Moms for Liberty and like groups for the past two sessions to expand the ban through all grade school classes.
The chamber passed a version of the bill that removed a provision punishing teachers for using a student’s preferred pronouns.
The House also passed, without debate, a bill that would prohibit public schools and libraries from hosting drag performances without parental consent.
Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, the only openly gay member of the Legislature, spoke directly to LGBTQ+ Alabamians from the podium.
“I want you to know you are not the problem. You are not broken, and you’re absolutely not alone,” Rafferty said. “They’re not theories. They’re not talking points, not threats to be neutralized. They’re people. They’re Alabamian, and they deserve better than what we are offering them right now.”
Both bills now head to the Senate with six legislative days remaining.
