Last week, State House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) filed a bill for the 2025 legislative session banning public K-12 schools and public libraries from presenting or sponsoring drag performances and state entities from allowing minors to share facilities with members of the opposite sex in certain circumstances during overnight programs.
According to the bill's text, House Bill 67 (HB67) would prohibit public K-12 schools and public libraries from knowingly presenting or sponsoring drag performances in the presence of a minor without the consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian.
The legislation would also prohibit certain state entities from allowing minors to share certain facilities with members of the opposite sex during overnight programs operated or sponsored by the state entity unless the other individuals are family members of the minor and the minor's parent consents.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," the Morgan County Republican discussed the legislation.
"[W]e filed this bill for the protection of children," Stadthagen said. "You know, in most of the bills I file that are controversial — that's the reason behind it. So, the first section of that bill will not allow someone to dress in a sexual manner in front of kids without their parent's permission. And we've seen it with 1819 [News] have covered several stories where we have seen drag queen shows like in front of minors, and it's extremely inappropriate. I think those are to the effect of being a sexual predator. You know, putting certain things in front of kids that they shouldn't see at that age, and it's it's indoctrinating them, it's grooming them to accept this and make this the new norm. And we're going to make sure that that's not the new norm. That's not the way our state's going to be in the future."
Also included in Stadthagen's bill is a ban on minors sharing certain facilities as a person of the opposite sex while at state-sponsored overnight programs.
"[T]he second part of the bill is directed towards the Space Camp issue that was taking place a couple of years back," he added. "And it's basically, you know when your kid goes to this camp or any camp in the state of Alabama. It's just not single or not that one. But when that child goes to the camp — as a parent, I drop that kid off, and I drive away, I need to have the safe feeling in my stomach that my kid is going to be OK. There's not going to be males that are going to be sleeping and showering and in the bathrooms with my daughter. And I think it's common sense, but it's sad that we're to the point where that's where we are in our society. We have to do this kind of stuff, which is really sad."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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