Despite failing to receive Senate deliberation during the 2024 regular legislative session, State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) fully intends to pursue his legislation banning classroom instruction or discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in public schools next year.
Like many pieces of pivotal House legislation this year, House Bill 130 failed to receive a Senate vote before the session concluded. During debate, House Democrats vigorously opposed the bill, but it ultimately passed along party lines.
The bill, labeled a "don't say gay" bill by left-wing media, would expand the state's prohibition of discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-5 classrooms to K-8 classrooms. The bill also prohibits school employees from displaying insignia, flags or banners related to gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms and school property. That prohibition still applies to K-12 schools.
The bill initially applied restrictions to K-12 schools. However, it was amended at the request of the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) to apply to kindergarten through eighth grade due to the state's high school health curriculum. Butler told 1819 News he intends to work with ALSDE to allow the prohibition to apply to K-12 schools while addressing curriculum concerns for next year.
"I'm going to pre-file it this time so we can hit the ground running as soon as we start," Butler said. "We got it to the Senate with plenty of time. But, as you know, sometimes plenty of time isn't enough, so we're going to get it done extra quick. We're going to get it upstairs a lot quicker this time."
He continued, "Over our break, I'm going to work with [ALSDE] because that's what everyone wanted me to do. Their only concern was about health classes, which is why we rolled it back to eighth grade, so I thought what we'd do is try to look at something that would go to twelfth grade but accommodate them at the same time. I know they need to teach some things, but they don't need to be teaching indoctrination of gender identity or sexual orientation. That's what we want to be sure of. Every parent I've talked to wants the schools to stay out of that. Let's just focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic. And, you know, we're not proficient in those. We need to get proficient at those before we veer off on any of those subjects in the first place."
Butler said he didn't remember exactly what caused the bill to stall this time, especially since the legislation had the support of House leadership. Negotiations over gambling halted several bills in the Senate, but Butler does not believe that was the culprit.
"The last day, there was a lot of filibustering upstairs, and that seems to happen all the time," Butler continued. "But, apparently, they had their own issues, and a lot of bills didn't get dealt with, but I'm thinking it was something other than gambling."
Butler took his fair share of heat for sponsoring the bill, both from House members and the media. However, Butler says the feedback that affected him the most was the disappointment of parents across the state who had high hopes for the legislation.
"The only thing I've heard is some real disappointment," Butler concluded. "Some moms that I've talked to, and dads, were really upset that we didn't get something done for them so simple to stop the indoctrination that is taking place not just all over this state but all over this country. There are so many examples of it. It's just pure insanity."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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