Stop the Sexualization of Children Act

Last updated

Stop the Sexualization of Children Act
Great Seal of the United States (obverse).svg
Long titleA Bill To prohibit the use of Federal funds to develop, implement, facilitate, or fund any sexually-oriented program, event, or literature for children under the age of 10, and for other purposes.
NicknamesNational Don't Say Gay bill
Legislative history

The Stop the Sexualization of Children Act was United States federal legislation introduced in the 117th Congress which would prohibit all federally-funded institutions from using such funds to instruct children on "sexually-orientated" materials. Considered to be a national version of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, likewise to the Florida legislation, it has been described as the national Don't Say Gay bill by opponents and commentators. The bill was introduced by Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and 32 additional Republican members of Congress cosponsored the bill. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Background

While not uniformly shared across the Republican Party, many state party platforms and members of the party at large have taken a position against same-sex marriage and LGBT+ rights, especially GOP members more closely related to the Christian right. [5]

In 2022, legislation originally introduced earlier by Florida state senator Dennis Baxley was passed by both houses of the Florida legislature and signed into law by governor Ron DeSantis. The GOP and DeSantis have defended what became known by opponents as the Don't Say Gay law, stating that parents need more authority over what their schools teach and that children at their age should not need to worry about their sexual orientation. Criticism against the bill was far and wide, with protests chanting "We Say Gay" and "Do Say Gay" appearing across the country, legal challenges attempting to overturn the bill, and the Walt Disney Company battling DeSantis in a widely publicized feud which involved Florida's state government repealing the Reedy Creek Improvement Act and Disney's special rights over the land containing Walt Disney World. [6] [7] [8]

Provisions

The bill would have prohibited institutions that receive any federal funding from "sexually-oriented" programs, events, and literature for children under 10. The bill additionally would have prohibited federal institutions from hosting or promoting literature and works which themselves promote sexual orientation. Any organization that would've violated the bill multiple times in any given five-year period would have lost access to federal funds for three years.[ citation needed ]

Similar to the Texas Heartbeat Act, the proposed legislation contained a private right of action clause which would have enabled parents and guardians to sue government officials, agencies, and entities which receive federal funding if such institutions were responsible for "exposing" children to sexual materials.[ citation needed ]

Section 2 of the legislation attracted attention for the findings that Johnson had mentioned in the bill, specifically subsections 4 and 5, which specifically criticized libraries which host story hours hosted by drag queens as well as burlesque shows and promotions. [3]

Support and opposition

Johnson's bill has been supported by 32 other GOP members of the House of Representatives, including Lauren Boebert. Johnson states that this legislation is necessary to prevent the opposing Democratic Party from continuing on what he describes as a "misguided crusade" to promote gender identity and LGBT+ ideas to the youth. [9]

The bill has been criticized by the Human Rights Campaign, which director David Stacy describes as extremist Republicans' "latest cruel attempt to stigmatize and marginalize the community, not in an attempt to solve actual problems but only to rile up their extremist base". LGBT+ activist Alejandra Caraballo has additionally slammed Section 2 of the bill, a section which she specifically calls the legislation's definition of "sexually explicit" to include LGBTQ people as "dehumanizing". [10]

Bay Windows publisher Sue O'Connell suggested addressing sexualization in child beauty pageants rather than banning drag shows which do not sexualize children. [11]

Related Research Articles

Queer studies, sexual diversity studies, or LGBT studies is the study of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity usually focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender dysphoric, asexual, queer, questioning, and intersex people and cultures.

The Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) is an organization affiliated with the Republican Party which advocates for equal rights for LGBT+ Americans, by educating the LGBT+ community and Republicans about each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Baxley</span> American politician

Dennis K. Baxley is a state legislator in Florida who has served in the Florida Senate since 2016. A Republican, he represents the 12th district including Sumter County and parts of Lake County and Marion County in Central Florida. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of Marion County from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2010 until his election to the Senate. He served on the Belleview City Commission and as its mayor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Florida</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Florida have federal protections, but many face legal difficulties on the state level that are not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since January 6, 2015. Discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations is outlawed following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. In addition, several cities and counties, comprising about 55 percent of Florida's population, have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances. These include Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, among others. Conversion therapy is also banned in a number of cities in the state, mainly in Palm Beach County and the Miami metropolitan area. In September 2023, Lake Worth Beach, Florida became an official "LGBT sanctuary city" to protect and defend LGBT rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Virginia</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Commonwealth of Virginia enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT persons. LGBT rights in the state are a recent occurrence with most improvements in LGBT rights occurring in the 2000s and 2010s. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Virginia since October 6, 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal in the case of Bostic v. Rainey. Effective July 1, 2020, there is a state-wide law protecting LGBT persons from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. The state's hate crime laws also now explicitly include both sexual orientation and gender identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Montana</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Montana may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Montana since 1997. Same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage has been recognized since November 2014. State statutes do not address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law. A number of cities also provide protections in housing and public accommodations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equality Act (United States)</span> Bill to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in the 117th Congress

The Equality Act is a bill in the United States Congress, that, if passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The Supreme Court's June 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County protects gay and transgender people in matters of employment, but not in other respects. The Bostock ruling also covered the Altitude Express and Harris Funeral Homes cases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT conservatism in the United States</span> Movement with conservatism

LGBTQ+ conservatism in the United States is a social and political ideology within the LGBTQ+ community that largely aligns with the American conservative movement. LGBTQ+ conservatism is generally more moderate on social issues than social conservatism, instead emphasizing values associated with fiscal conservatism, libertarian conservatism, and neoconservatism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-LGBT curriculum laws in the United States</span> Current and former laws prohibiting or limiting mention of LGBT topics in public schools

Anti-LGBT curriculum laws are laws approved by various U.S. states that prohibit or limit the mention or discussion of homosexuality and transgender identity in public schools, especially in younger grades. In theory, these laws mainly apply to sex ed courses, but they can also be applied to other parts of the school curriculum as well as to extracurricular activities such as sports and organizations such as gay–straight alliances. In July 2022, a wave of anti-LGBT curriculum resurgence saw ten such laws beginning to take effect in six different states. Some states enacting these new laws appear to have mirrored similar laws from other states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Fine</span> American politician (born 1974)

Randy Fine is an American Republican politician, activist, and former gambling industry executive who was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016. His district covers southern Brevard County.

Gregory Scott Stadthagen Jr. is an American politician serving as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for the 9th district. He is a member of the Republican Party. In November of 2022, Stadthagen's Republican colleagues elected him Majority Leader of the Alabama State House.

The political positions of Ron DeSantis have been recorded from his 2012 election to the United States House of Representatives and his tenure as Representative, the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida, and during his tenure as governor of Florida. DeSantis is considered a conservative Republican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Harding</span> American politician (born 1987)

Joe Harding is an American politician and businessman who was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2020 until his resignation in 2022. A member of the Republican Party, Harding is most well known for introducing the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" act.

Since the passage of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the Don't Say Gay bill, The Walt Disney Company has been involved in a feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the state's Republican Party. While initially a donor to some of the politicians who voted in favor of the Act, after its passage Disney spoke out against the bill and called for it to be repealed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Parental Rights in Education Act</span> Florida state law; "Dont Say Gay" bill

The Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" law, is a Florida state law passed in 2022 that regulates public schools in Florida. The law is most notable for its controversial sections which prohibit public schools from having "classroom discussion" or giving "classroom instruction" about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade or in any manner deemed to be against state standards in all grades; prohibits public schools from adopting procedures or student support forms that maintain the confidentiality of a disclosure by a student, including of the gender identity or sexual orientation of a student, from parents; and requires public schools to bear all the costs of all lawsuits filed by aggrieved parents.

The notion that LGBT people, or those supportive of LGBT rights, are engaging in child grooming and enabling child sexual abuse is a far-right conspiracy theory and anti-LGBT trope. This claim has been pushed by a growing number of mainstream conservatives, particularly in the United States and English-speaking world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Senate Bill 266</span> Florida legislation dealing with public universities

Florida Senate Bill 266, also commonly known by its Florida House of Representatives counterpart House Bill 999, is Florida legislation relating to public universities within the state. Under the legislation, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and certain college majors relating to DEI would be eliminated or heavily restricted; the legislation phrases such courses as being based on "unproven, theoretical, or exploratory content". The legislation would prohibit state universities from including DEI and political identity filters within higher education hiring processes, and bans the usage of critical race theory in hiring. The law was filed in the Florida House of Representatives on February 21, 2023, by Republican representative Alex Andrade, while a Florida Senate version was filed seven days later by Republican state senator Erin Grall. The senate version of the legislation, which was noted as less intense in its requirements than the house version, ultimately passed and was signed by governor Ron DeSantis, concurrently with the similar Florida House Bill 931, on May 15, 2023. SB 266 took effect on July 1, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PROTECT Kids Act</span> Pending United States legislation

The Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their Kids Act is pending United States legislation introduced in both the House of Representatives and Senate of the 118th congress. Sponsored by Republican representative Tim Walberg and senators Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina and originating in the 117th congress, the bill is similar to and viewed of as a national version of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, itself known by its opponents as the Don't Say Gay bill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States</span> Political backlash against LGBT people

The 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States is an ongoing political backlash from social conservatives against LGBT people. It has included legislative proposals of bathroom use restrictions, bans on gender-affirming care, anti-LGBT curriculum laws, laws against drag performances, book bans, boycotts, and conspiracy theories around grooming. Between 2018 and 2023, hundreds of anti-LGBT laws were considered, with more than one hundred passed into law.

The parental rights movement is a social conservative political movement aimed at restricting schools' ability to teach or practice certain viewpoints on gender, sexuality and race without parental consent.

References

  1. ↑ Migdon, Brooke (October 18, 2022). "House GOP introduces bill cutting federal funds for 'sexually oriented' events for kids". The Hill. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ "US House bill proposes prohibiting use of federal funds for 'sexual-oriented' materials for children". www.jurist.org. October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Wamsley, Laurel (October 21, 2022). "What's in the so-called Don't Say Gay bill that could impact the whole country". NPR. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ Pendharkar, Eesha (November 9, 2022). "What the Federal 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Actually Says". Education Week. ISSN   0277-4232 . Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Republicans aim to pass national 'don't say gay' law". the Guardian. October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Gov. DeSantis signs bill eliminating Disney special district". WESH. April 22, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ MacBride, Brady. "Do "Say Gay": The "Parental Rights in Education" Bill is Unconstitutional and Unjust". The Pitch. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Judge again tosses challenge to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill". PBS NewsHour. October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "House Republicans Introduce Legislation to Ensure Taxpayer Dollars Cannot Fund Sexually Explicit Material for Children". U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson. October 18, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ "A national 'Don't Say Gay' law? Republicans introduce bill to restrict LGBTQ-related programs". NBC News. October 19, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  11. ↑ "LGBTQ News: Lawmakers across the nation consider bans on drag shows". Under the Radar. January 27, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.