Ohio Republicans introduce bill mirroring Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law - ABC6OnYourSide.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Two Ohio Republican state representatives introduced a bill to prevent schools from teaching "inherently racist concepts." It also restricts the teaching of instructional materials on sexual orientation or gender identity.

State Reps. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) introduced House Bill 616. The language of the bill regarding sexual orientation and gender identity is similar to parts of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law.

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The Florida law, titled 'Parental Rights in Education,' bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade.

Critics say banning lessons about gender identity and sexual orientation marginalizes LGBTQ people and their presence in society. Proponents say Florida's law is intended to keep parents informed of what children learn and are exposed to in schools.

Ohio's HB 616 has similar language baring the same age groups from receiving instructional materials or curriculum on those topics.

Teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade would violate the bill.

For students in grades 4 through 12, instruction is barred that is "not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Ohio's bill would go further than Florida's. It would also prevent the teaching of so-called "inherently racist concepts" including:

• Critical race theory
• Intersectional theory
• The 1619 project
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion learning outcomes
• Inherited racial guilt
• "Any other concept that the state board of education defines as divisive or inherently racist"

Under the bill, an individual could file a complaint against a teacher, school administrator, or district superintendent for violating those restrictions. Penalties range from affecting licensure to withholding state funds.

It's not the first bill introduced by members of the 134th General Assembly regarding the teaching of race, gender, and sexual orientation in schools.

HB 322, introduced by State Reps. Don Jones (R-Freeport) and Adam Bird (R-New Richmond), seeks to prevent state agencies and administrators from having schools teach concepts such as systemic racism, "multiplicity or fluidity of gender identities," or other ideas that are contrary to the teacher's sincerely held religious or philosophical convictions.

HB 327, introduced by State Reps. Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland) and Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula), also takes aim at divisive concepts such as "critical race theory" as HB 616 does. Educational groups have spoken out against the bill. Some say it will harm Ohio students enrolled in AP courses.

It remains to be seen if HB 616 will prompt national scrutiny like Florida's law did. After pushback from employees, Disney opposed the Florida law and paused all political donations to the state while publicly condemning the bill.

"When we think about LGBTQ youth in particular we are concerned that 40% of LGBTQ young people are considering suicide each year," Dr. Joanne Patterson, an LGBTQ health researcher at Ohio State, said.

Patterson said in her professional opinion, protecting one LGBTQ youth by not passing this legislation is a priority for her.

“My concern is that LGBTQ young people who experience a culture of oppression and discrimination in their schools because of the bills HB 616 are going to feel unsafe they're going to be unheard they’re going to be made invisible and that kind of experience of discrimination and oppression might actually translate into outcomes such as increased rates of anxiety increased rates of suicidal ideation or attempts," Patterson said.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther released a statement on the bill Tuesday saying it was "bigotry in one of its ugliest forms."

The Ohio Education Association said it denounces the bill and vowed to continue to fight to ensure students have "freedom to learn and thrive."

“These politicians are continuing to use race and sexual orientation as wedge issues to score cheap political points, and they should be ashamed of themselves,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said. “Rather than persisting with these disingenuous attacks on educators and public schools, we need pro-public education policies that enable students to think critically about the world around them and empower them to be proud of who they are, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they express their gender identities, or who they – or their parents – love.”

source: https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/ohio-republicans-introduce-bill-mirroring-florida-dont-say-gay-law-critical-race-theory-1619-project-diversity-4-5-2022

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