MONTGOMERY — Transgender advocates came out in force Wednesday afternoon to speak against legislation banning instruction or discussion related to gender identity or sexual orientation from being provided to public school students in pre-K through the 12th grade.
House Bill 244 (HB244), sponsored by State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City), is an extension of a bill passed in 2022. The 2022 bill banned classroom instruction or discussions regarding gender identity or sexual orientation in a manner that is not "age or developmentally appropriate."
Butler attempted a similar bill during last year's legislative session, passing the House but stalling in the Senate.
According to Butler, HB244 would bring state law in line with a recent executive order from President Donald Trump, using the threat of cutting federal education funding for schools that continue to push "gender ideology" and other forms of "indoctrination."
The bill would also prohibit teachers and education employees from displaying a flag or insignia relating to sexual orientation or gender identity on school property and using pronouns that do not relate to a student's biological sex.
The House Education Committee did not vote on the bill after Wednesday's meeting. However, opponents of the bill, half of which were biological males in women's clothes, took time during the public hearing portion to voice their opposition. Opponents outnumbered those who signed up to speak against the bill 10-2.
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Leah Billye Welburn, a self-proclaimed "transgender, non-binary resident of Auburn, Alabama," took the podium to opine on the perceived adverse effects of the bill.
"The Trevor Project has done studies and showed that the risk of suicide among teens and youth goes down dramatically if they have a queer role model in their lives," Welburn said. "This may be a teacher who has a flag on their wall. It could be as simple as that, and it could save a life."
Allison Montgomery, another transgender male, likewise objected to the bill, describing himself as a "Christian person," claiming lawmakers were trying to "censor or diminish the great, beautiful diversity of god's creation."
One bill proponent, Ted Halley, is a regular face in Montgomery, frequently speaking against pro-transgender legislation and initiatives at libraries, local boards and state committees. Halley, who underwent multiple transgender surgeries only to have them reversed later on, spoke about the negative impact so-called gender ideology can have on young people.
"I'm what's called a de-transitioner," Halley said. "I started suffering with gender identity disorder when I was eight, up to age 62. As far as transgender goes, I don't think there will be anyone that can out-transgender me. I had my genitals removed. I had my face resculpted twice. I had a breast implant in and out. I had every follicle of hair in my face removed over 300 hours. I took voice training. I lived this way for 12 years, so I know what it's like to be transgender. I know how hard it is. But it's important to know, it is not a real fix for an internal problem."
He continued, "I don't have my male parts. I'll never be able to be married and be normal. And you do this to a child when they're young? You're going to curse them the rest of their life because they can't make an adult decision? We can't even do that until we're 25. So how in the world are we going to let teachers and counselors push this on young children that are vulnerable."
Becky Gerritson, executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama, also spoke in favor of the bill, stressing that schools should be places of education, not political indoctrination.
"This is a bill that ensures classroom instruction remains age-appropriate and focused on core educational subjects," Gerritson said.
She continued, "This bill reinforces the idea that education should emphasize academic excellence: math, science, reading and history, rather than ideological discussions that may not align with the parents' values.
Not all who opposed the bill identified as transgender. Former State Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham), a "loud and proud" lesbian, also took the podium, claiming lawmakers were overblowing their concern.
"I don't know any teacher in the state of Alabama that teaches anything about the LGBTQ community," Todd said. "If we do, it's one in a thousand. But we're trying to draft laws that is based on one person's experience. We're here. We're not going away. We're going to continue to be loud and proud."
After the meeting, Butler reemphasized the bill's need despite admitting it was not a "widespread problem."
"I talked to a student in my county, talking about one teacher who cannot teach the curriculum without spending all their time on gender ideology," Butler said. "The sexualization of children is very prevalent, and it's got to stop. This simply is in line with President Trump's executive order, and I would urge you guys to pass it as is."
One Democratic lawmaker asked questions about the bill, while several Republican lawmakers expressed general support.
"I think one reason public school, K-12, is so important is because that is during formative years," said State Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff). Once you get beyond that, you can begin to reason what direction your life wants to go."
State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) clarified that the bill would not prohibit students from having private discussions with a teacher or a student from discussing their "gender confusion" with a school nurse, which Butler emphatically confirmed.
Since the committee declined to vote on the bill, it will be at least a week before it receives a final vote.
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