Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he will prioritize passing Texas legislation that mimics the recently signed Florida bill referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
That state’s controversial law prohibits classroom lessons on sexual orientation or gender identity for kids below the fourth grade or any instruction that is not “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” for older students. It has come under heavy scrutiny as opponents of the bill say it will harm LGBTQ children.
While Texas’ next legislative session doesn’t start until January, the issue will be addressed in Education Committee hearings before then, Patrick said in a campaign email.
“I will make this law a top priority in the next session,” he said.
Patrick’s office did not immediately respond to a request late Monday.
Enforcing Florida’s law falls to parents, much like Texas’ restrictive abortion law, Senate Bill 8, which empowers private citizens to sue anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
A parent can sue a school district for damages if they believe it has broken the law. If they win, parents will receive money and recoup attorney fees. In Florida, the law’s supporters portrayed it as a way to give more rights to parents. Gov. Greg Abbott has similarly said parents should have more rights concerning their children’s education as he campaigns for a third term.
Val Benavidez, executive director of the Texas Freedom Network, said in a statement to The Texas Tribune that Patrick’s promise to bring similar legislation to the state is a “stain on Texas.”
“Gender expression by children is not something that is scary or harmful. What is scary is that political activists are grasping at power by overstepping into the lives of Texas families and education of students,” Benavidez said. “While politicians use hate speech that is far from center to harm our vulnerable youth, we will continue to love our children and make sure that all families are uplifted in public life.”
Look, we know Dan Patrick means what he says when he says crap like this. He hates LGBTQ people, and he’s going to do everything he can to make their lives miserable, especially now that he’s seeing other states do things that Texas doesn’t do. We can either vote him out, or we can watch him do what he says he’s going do. Not much else to say about it.
Texas has had the “no promo homo” law in the Education code since 1991. It is very similar
What is the obsession with Sex Education in elementary School. Every time the left says its a don’t say “GAY” bill the more people they lose. For those of you who are going to respond let me just cover it for you. I know, I know, I am a Homophobic, Racist.
Paul, the problem is that people like Patrick want to prevent gay teachers from commenting on their spouse, or having a picture of them and their spouse on their desk. Patrick is a homophobic, racist piece of shit, who thinks we should all have to live and think like him. No one is trying to teach sex ed to third graders, but if a student in third grade asks if the teacher is married, and the teacher has a same sex spouse, preventing the teacher from answering is ridiculous.
Possibly those things, Paul. Also just not a good faith member of a free society.
First, inclusive language is not “sex education,” as you surely know.
Second, with onset of puberty coming increasingly early, especially in girls, who can become pregnant during elementary school years and are at risk of being molested even sooner, when DO you think they should be taught about sex?
It seems to me that only groomers would want them NOT to know …
“ What is the obsession with Sex Education in elementary School. Every time the left says its a don’t say “GAY” bill the more people they lose.”
Can you tell us exactly what sort of sex Ed is being currently taught in grades K-3 right now? What is the problem that currently exists that such a response as Patrick’s is reasonable to you?
Joel,
Forgot I am now a “groomer”. Got it.
I am very much old school. I wouldn’t waste money on “health class”, “sex education” etc. It is a worthless waste of time it doesn’t stop anything. This fall along my views of red light districts, legalizing drugs, not punishing criminals, etc. etc.
Let me get it straight, I am a Racist, Homophobe, groomer.. All I am waiting on now is to have Manny show up and tell me what a sorry piece of dung I am. I just can’t believe people so many people think the way you guys do.
Paul, school health classes were being taught when I was in 4th grade in 1967. Sex education started with basics in 6th grade. Old school is a meaningless term.
Do you think a gay teacher should be prevented from saying yes if a 3rd grade asks if they are married? How about a straight teacher?
No one is teaching the details of sex to third graders, but there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the existence of same sex relationships. Many of those primary students have friends with 2 dads or 2 moms.
“Old school” is also when those gay folk stayed in the closet.
Do you think a gay teacher should be prevented from saying yes if a 3rd grade asks if they are married? How about a straight teacher?
This is not an issue in the “don’t say gay bill” and you know it. You have to hype it up to get support.
Just like voting against the bathroom bill was going to financially ruin Houston.
Please
Teachers have already been criticized for having pictures of same sex spouse on their desk. Get real, the Texas Tsliban types will do whatever they want, regardless of the actual law. Texas Republicans have turned into the party of hatred. They hate anyone who doesn’t think like them, look like them, or worship like them.
I ask again, since Paul seems to want to cultivate hurt feelings rather than answer, what exactly is happening that merits this sort of law?
Paul, you don’t to wait for Manny to confirm what we all already suspected.
“Do you think a gay teacher should be prevented from saying yes if a 3rd grade asks if they are married? How about a straight teacher?
This is not an issue in the “don’t say gay bill” and you know it. You have to hype it up to get support.”
pa: This is EXACTLY what it is about. see the following article from just lats month.
https://www.losangelesblade.com/2022/03/30/gay-ohio-teacher-fired-for-discussing-pride-bracelet/
flypusher: “since Paul seems to want to cultivate hurt feelings rather than answer”
his feelings were already pre-hurt.
LOL, you guys and Hotze have a lot in common. Both full of hate for each other.
I asked nicely, without calling anyone names, just what is the current problem that requires this law. Care to answer that?
Everyone railing against Florida’s so-called “Don’t say gay bill” have either not read it or are just being dishonest about it. The bill is more aptly known as the Parental Rights in Education bill. It does not prevent anyone from saying gay or a teacher from answering a student’s question. It prevents the teaching of sexuality of any sort in the curriculum in grades K-3 and is overwhelmingly supported by parents.
What sort of sexuality was being taught in grades K-3?
Sorry, Karen, but it does prohibit teachers from saying gay, except where it forces schools to tell parents their kids are gay.
“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards”
It’s also weird that apparently you can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate to fourth graders. What’s up with that?