A Louisiana bill considered perhaps the most extreme proposal in the country was shot down by a state House committee Tuesday.
The House Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This photo was taken by Melinda Deslatte.
The bill was rejected by Louisiana's House Committee On Education in a 7-4 vote, with three Republicans joining all the committee's Democrats in opposing the legislation.
The Louisiana proposal went a step further in prohibiting school employees from discussing their own sexual orientation or gender identity, but the legislation largely centers around banning classroom lessons about sexual orientation or gender identity.
The bill's wording made it seem like it would be illegal for teachers to ask students to refer to them by gender-related titles.
The Education Committee struck down an amendment that would have removed the line about teachers discussing gender identity before killing the bill.
The governors of Florida and Alabama have already signed legislation banning discussions of sexual orientation in public school classrooms, while GOP lawmakers in several other states have proposed similar bills. The bills could have harmful impacts on the students of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer community.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allowed Walt Disney World to operate as a self-governing entity, was dissolved last month by the Florida Legislature. The Florida legislature has come under criticism for its response to Disney, which many believe is an ill-conceived, knee-jerk response to the fact that taxpayers could now be saddled with $1 billion worth of debts.
Legislators in Alabama have a copy of the law in Florida.
The bill into law despite the controversy was signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis.
A poll suggests that most Americans oppose Florida GOP's attacks on Disney.
Disney World could lose its special district status.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
