During a Thursday appearance on Birmingham radio Truth 101.1 WXJC's "Priority Talk," State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) discussed his legislation to expand the prohibition of the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-5 classrooms to K-12 classrooms.
He also discussed how his legislation would apply to the Space Camp controversy.
According to Butler, it would prohibit the discussion of these topics in schools, including Space Camp.
"[W]e're going to add an amendment that will just expand it to apply to Space Camp, as well," Butler said. "But if the schools and/or Space Camp are not already engaging in discussions of sexual identity or sexual orientation, then no harm, no foul. Nothing changes. Some people have not been real happy about this. They're telling me this isn't happening, so why are they upset about this not happening."
"But sadly, this is the world we live in," he continued. "They always want to go have story time with the children. They always want to perform for the children. If they would go to the nursing homes, the assisted living facilities, none of us would say a word. We're not worried about adults seeing such as that. But protect the children."
The Etowah County Republican also took issue with the concept of so-called transgenderism, arguing that "common sense" should apply in this situation.
SEE ALSO: State Rep. Mack Butler proposes solution to transgender Space Camp worker
"Literally, we've got a problem because federal law says you can't ban people because of gender identity," Butler explained. "But we've got to use some common sense. We literally do this all the time in schools — doing background checks and things like that. I am all for this young man, who thinks he is a woman, being employed — working the gift shop, doing something else. But being with children I am concerned about."
"I know we're all pretending that this is normal, this is natural," he continued. "You've got doctors saying this is real. But up until Obama, it was always a mental defect. And he kind of popularized it. And some of it is a fad that is almost becoming a religion with some of these people. You know, we absolutely love these people. We don't want to hurt anybody or offend anybody. They can pretend all they want. We don't have to pretend with them. But I do not believe they need to be in charge of children."
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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