Background: This bill would prohibit classroom instruction or discussions related to gender identity or sexual orientation from being provided to public school students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Additionally, it would ban public preK-12 teachers and education employees from displaying any flag or insignia related to sexual orientation or gender identity on school property. The bill would also prohibit teachers from addressing students by pronouns that are inconsistent with their biological sex at birth.
Our Position: The ACLU of Alabama opposes this bill. HB 244 is a clear attempt to erase LGBTQ+ identities from schools, further marginalizing and isolating LGBTQ+ students in Alabama’s education system. Public schools should be inclusive environments where all students feel safe, seen, and supported, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. This bill limits students' access to information about themselves and their peers, fostering discrimination and stigma. Additionally, prohibiting educators from using students’ preferred pronouns is not only harmful but also a direct attack on their rights and dignity. The government should not dictate how students express their identity or how teachers respect them in the classroom. Restricting speech and censoring discussions about LGBTQ+ topics in schools violates students’ and teachers’ First Amendment rights and creates a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students, further impacting their mental health and educational success.
