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You’re likely familiar with Russia’s shameful so-called “gay propaganda” law that bans the favorable presentation of LGBTQ topics to youth, but did you know seven US states enforce something similar on public campuses?
“No promo homo” laws ban schools from discussing all things LGBTQ — especially favorably — in Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina. Utah also has a ban, though lawmakers moved to repeal it this week with nearly unanimous support. Now it’s up to Gov. Gary Herbert to sign the bill.
The restrictions are primarily focused on squashing any talk of sexual health and HIV/AIDS awareness, but vague wording allows schools to extend the ban to other areas, from school events to extracurricular activities.
Some go even further. In Alabama, schools are instructed to inform students that “homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public.”
Arizona law says “no district shall include in its course of study instruction which…(1) promotes a homosexual life-style…(2) portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style…(3) suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.”
According to GLSEN, an advocacy group that works to improve the lives of LGBTQ students:
These laws foster an unsafe school atmosphere. GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey shows that LGBT students in states with stigmatizing laws are more likely to hear homophobic remarks from school staff, are less likely to report incidents of harassment and assault to school staff, and are less likely to report having support from educators. Moreover, when incidents occur and educators do intervene, they do so less effectively in these states.
We don’t say this often, but it’s time to take a hint from Utah and get rid of these lingering blights on the books.
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This post was originally published on Queerty and is republished here with permission.
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Photo credit: Queerty
While messages to youth struggling with homosexual tendencies should be careful, understanding, and compassionate, they must also be truthful. Public education must not obscure the shame or dangers of homosexuality. Objective bur direct statements about what these youth are getting into and the empty path it leads are only appropriate.
The shame of homosexuality and empty path? Who are you to makes these claims and assume that this is what it is like to be homosexual? Unless you are yourself.. I’m not sure where you are from but here in England there’s no shame in being gay and you can go on to have a fulfilling life! We adopt, when heterosexual couples selfishly reproduce to add to the ever expanding population. We further our careers and contribute to the world in many ways; in the scientific field, technology, entertainment, business… Don’t you dare tell me that being homosexual is empty… Read more »