The bill also goes one step further than the recently passed Florida law, which prohibits Ohio public school teachers in grades 4 through 12 from teaching or using “sex-oriented or gender-identifying teaching materials” in any way. which is not suitable for the age or developmental students according to state standards “. The language of the draft law does not specify which material may be age-appropriate or “developmentally appropriate”. The proposed legislation puts Ohio possibly joining some Republican-led states that are pushing legislation that many opponents say is potentially harmful to LGBTQ children and young adults. Twitter on Tuesday said that “gender curriculum Identity and sexuality have no place in the K-3 class, period. That’s why I just introduced a bill banning the curriculum on sexuality and gender identity until 3rd grade in Ohio. “ The bill would also ban curricula for all levels that could teach, promote or support what it calls “divisive or inherently racist concepts.” It would prohibit any textbook, educational material, or academic curriculum that “promotes” concepts such as critical race theory, cross-sectoral theory, work 1619, diversity, equality and inclusion of learning outcomes, hereditary racial guilt, or “any other concept defined by the State Board of Education as divisive or inherently racist “. Under the bill, members of the public will be able to file complaints against school officials for allegedly violating the law. An accused teacher will have the right to be heard for the allegations, but can be punished if found to be in violation of the law and school districts may lose state funding as a result. Ohio Education Association President Scott Di Mauro told CNN on Tuesday that the broad language in the bill could significantly hinder teachers’ approach to certain issues for fear of their work. “I think it’s probably out of a plan, that they just want to instill fear, that if you’re wondering if something can or can not be considered controversial or divisive or illegal under this law, the safest bet is just not to talk. “And this is the real evil that is being done because it deprives our students of a complete and honest education,” DiMauro said. Dimauro said the union was against the proposed measure and would work actively against it if it gained a boost in the state legislature. LGBT groups and Democrats harshly criticized the proposed bill. “The Ohio Don’t Say Gay bill is another insidious attempt to relax and censor free speech in the classroom. Lawmakers are effectively trying to wipe out LGBTQ + people and distort history in their favor,” said its chief executive. Equality Ohio, Alana Jochum. “Attacks like these are the product of a small minority of people pushing their agenda to break up diversity at all costs – and in the process putting educators and families at risk for political gain. Equality Ohio strongly opposes Bill 616 and we will work tirelessly for to prevent it from infiltrating our ranks. ” Asked about the bill Tuesday, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Rousseau condemned the bill as a “disgusting” law. “Well, my thoughts are that it’s a disgusting bill, it legitimizes bigotry and I think whenever we see legislation being introduced, that to me speaks to the extremism that continues to prevail in this state and we can not continue to grow as a state economically. “Do the right thing with our Ohio families if we do not embrace our diversity and make sure this state includes all Ohioans,” Rousseau said. The bill did not appear to have any planned action as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the state legislative website.
