Gov. Kay Ivey Friday signed a bill patterned after Florida's parental rights law. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), prohibits instruction or discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in K-5 public school classrooms. The legislation also requires students to use bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates.
The governor issued the following statement:
"Here in Alabama, men use the men's room and ladies use the ladies' room - it's really a no brainer. This bill will also ensure our elementary school classrooms remain free from any kind of sex talk. Let me be clear to the media and opponents who like to incorrectly dub this the "Don't Say Gay" amendment: That is misleading, false, and just plain wrong. We don't need to be teaching young children about sex. We are talking about five-year-olds for crying out loud. We need to focus on what matters - core instruction like reading and math."
Ivey also signed another bill, sponsored by state Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville), banning the use of medical procedures or prescriptions of medications that are intended to alter the appearance of gender in minors.
"There are very real challenges facing our young people, especially with today's societal pressures and modern culture," Ivey said. "I believe very strongly that if the Good Lord made you a boy, you are a boy, and if He made you a girl, you are a girl. We should especially protect our children from these radical, life-altering drugs and surgeries when they are at such a vulnerable stage in life. Instead, let us all focus on helping them develop into the adults God intended them to be."