Ohio Government Trying to Pass “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

by Khai Cosner

Republican state lawmakers in Ohio have introduced a bill that in some ways mirrors Florida’s controversial law that critics have called the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. House Bill 616 would ban the teaching or providing of “any curriculum or instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity” to students in kindergarten through third grade, using similar language to Florida’s provision. The bill also goes a step further than the recently passed Florida law, forbidding Ohio public school educators in grades 4-12 from teaching or using “instructional materials on sexual orientation or individuality in any manner that’s not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for college students in accordance with state standards.” 

The drafted bill language doesn’t specify what “age-appropriate” or “developmentally appropriate” material might qualify. The proposed legislation positions Ohio to potentially join a variety of Republican-led states pushing legislation that several opponents say is “potentially harmful” to LGBTQ children, as well as young adults.

My personal opinion is that I’m in favor of the bill, because I don’t believe we should be pressuring these kids with that brainless “different gender” trash. Kids shouldn’t be pressured into picking what gender they are, and should know their gender is based on what “parts” they were born with.