Georgia lawmakers OK parent rights, divisive concepts ban
2 years, 8 months ago

Georgia lawmakers OK parent rights, divisive concepts ban

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers sent a bill to increase parental oversight of schools to Gov. House Bill 1084, which bans the teaching of “divisive concepts” on race in Georgia public schools, went back to the House for representatives to agree to changes after passing the Senate 32-21 on Friday. “CRT is wrong, it’s destructive and it views American history through a racial lens,” said Senate President Pro Tem Butch Miller, a Gainesville Republican running for lieutenant governor. We don’t defeat racism with racism.” Banned “divisive concepts” would include claims that the U.S. is “fundamentally or systematically racist,” that any people are “inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” and that no one “should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of his or her race.” Bills using identical language have been proposed in dozens of states, backed by the Center for Renewing America, a think tank led by former Trump administration officials. “Teachers are going to be afraid to teach anything regarding race and racism.” Kemp has backed House Bill 1178, which he bills as a parent’s bills of rights.

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History of this topic

Georgia superintendent says Black studies course breaks law against divisive racial teachings
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia superintendent says Black studies course breaks law against divisive racial teachings

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia’s state superintendent of schools said Wednesday that he believes a new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies violates the state’s law against teaching divisive racial concepts, explaining that is why he won’t recommend it become an approved state course. More confoundingly, Woods has been saying that districts could teach the AP material and get state money …

Tennessee schools would have to out transgender students to parents under bill heading to governor
8 months, 1 week ago

Tennessee schools would have to out transgender students to parents under bill heading to governor

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee would join the ranks of states where public school employees have to out transgender students to their parents under a bill advancing in the Republican-supermajority Legislature. The bill’s progression comes as Tennessee Republican lawmakers have established the state as one of the most eager to pass policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ community as Republicans pursue legislation …

Georgia senators again push conservative aims for schools
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Georgia senators again push conservative aims for schools

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia’s Republican state senators are making another attempt to impose a conservative stamp on the state’s public schools, passing a bill Tuesday that would ban transgender girls from playing high school sports with other girls, limit sex education and require a system for notifying parents of every item a child obtained in a school library. The measure would …

Georgia restricted transgender care for youth in 2023. Now Republicans are seeking an outright ban
9 months, 1 week ago

Georgia restricted transgender care for youth in 2023. Now Republicans are seeking an outright ban

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A year ago, Georgia lawmakers said they were striking a balance when they banned most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18, but let doctors continue prescribing puberty blockers and let minors then receiving hormone replacement therapies continue. Watson, a physician, had said last year that allowing the use of puberty blockers was a …

Georgia lawmakers support immigration crackdown, religious liberty protections at deadline
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia lawmakers support immigration crackdown, religious liberty protections at deadline

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers pushed through dozens of bills before a key deadline Thursday, the last day for legislation to pass either the House or Senate and advance to the other legislative chamber for consideration this year. GUN TAX BREAKS: Senate Bill 344 would let people buy guns, ammunition and gun safes without paying sales taxes for five days each …

Georgia Senate considers controls on school libraries and criminal charges for librarians
10 months ago

Georgia Senate considers controls on school libraries and criminal charges for librarians

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A proposal that would require school libraries to notify parents of every book their child checks out was advanced by Georgia senators Tuesday, while a proposal to subject school librarians to criminal charges for distributing material containing obscenity waits in the wings. “The logical endpoint of where this bill, as well as others, are taking us is for …

Georgia can resume enforcing ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender youth, judge says
1 year, 3 months ago

Georgia can resume enforcing ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender youth, judge says

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia can resume enforcing a ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender people under 18, a judge ruled Tuesday, putting her previous order blocking the ban on hold after a federal appeals court allowed Alabama to enforce a similar restriction. A spokesperson for the Georgia attorney general’s office, Kara Richardson, said in a statement that the office was …

Georgia made it easier for parents to challenge school library books. Almost no one has done so
1 year, 4 months ago

Georgia made it easier for parents to challenge school library books. Almost no one has done so

Associated Press  

CUMMING, Ga. — When Allison Strickland urged a suburban Atlanta school board in June to remove four books from school libraries, she was following a path cleared by Georgia’s Republican lawmakers. That’s happened in Forsyth County, where documents obtained by AP show a librarian “weeded” two books Strickland was protesting from another high school’s library, just before they were challenged …

'Absurd' firing of Georgia teacher shows how GOP laws are pushing classroom censorship: analysis
1 year, 5 months ago

'Absurd' firing of Georgia teacher shows how GOP laws are pushing classroom censorship: analysis

Raw Story  

Washington Post opinion columnists Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman on Wednesday highlighted the firing of a 5th grade teacher in Georgia that they say highlights the ways GOP-backed laws banning the teachings of "divisive" concepts have created a chilling effect that has resulted in classroom censorship. The teacher in question, Katherine Rinderle, is facing termination after she read her class …

Parents of transgender youth are suing to block Georgia’s gender-affirming care ban
1 year, 5 months ago

Parents of transgender youth are suing to block Georgia’s gender-affirming care ban

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Parents of four transgender children have filed a lawsuit challenging a Georgia law set to take effect Saturday that bans most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18. They argue the law “violates the fundamental rights of parents to make medical decisions to ensure the health and well-being of their children” and “violates the …

New Georgia laws include ban on some treatments for transgender minors
1 year, 5 months ago

New Georgia laws include ban on some treatments for transgender minors

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — On Saturday, Georgia’s new law banning gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for those under 18 takes effect. For many, the law is seen as “devastating.” “It’s cutting off, literally, lifesaving care for many people in Georgia,” said Dr. Izzy Lowell, an Atlanta-based doctor who specializes in gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary individuals. “So that’s a false …

Louisiana lawmakers approve anti-LGBTQ+ bills that include ban on trans care for minors
1 year, 6 months ago

Louisiana lawmakers approve anti-LGBTQ+ bills that include ban on trans care for minors

Associated Press  

— Louisiana is poised to become the latest state to enact laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community, after the Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday sent a package to the Democratic governor that includes a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The Legislature also overwhelming passed Louisiana’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a measure outlining pronoun usage for students. “This …

States add laws on pronouns, sports for transgender students
1 year, 7 months ago

States add laws on pronouns, sports for transgender students

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. BLOCKING LESSONS ON GENDER IDENTITY DeSantis has been leading …

Florida expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’ through 12th grade while House OKs anti-LGBTQ bills
1 year, 8 months ago

Florida expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’ through 12th grade while House OKs anti-LGBTQ bills

LA Times  

Ron DeSantis signs a bill he called the Parental Rights in Education bill in 2022. Ron DeSantis added more wins to his agenda targeting the LGBTQ+ community as a state board approved an expansion of what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law Wednesday, and the House passed bills on gender-transition treatments, bathroom use and keeping children out of drag …

Kemp signs bills aiming to improve school safety, literacy
1 year, 8 months ago

Kemp signs bills aiming to improve school safety, literacy

Associated Press  

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp signed new laws Thursday that will require Georgia schools to perform annual drills for responding to campus shooters early in the school year and to perform literacy assessments for younger students three times per year to see if they can read at grade level. He said his safety bill “modernizes school safety protocols and …

Georgia law will ban most transgender care for kids under 18
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia law will ban most transgender care for kids under 18

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia will ban most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people younger than 18, under a new law signed by Gov. “As Georgians, parents and elected leaders, it is our highest responsibility to safeguard the bright, promising future of our kids — and SB 140 takes an important step in fulfilling that mission.” Opponents say they …

Georgia governor signs bill banning most gender-affirming care for trans children
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia governor signs bill banning most gender-affirming care for trans children

NPR  

Georgia governor signs bill banning most gender-affirming care for trans children Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Slitz/AP Alex Slitz/AP ATLANTA — Georgia will ban most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18 with a new bill signed into law by Gov. Lawmakers gave final approval to Senate Bill 140 on Tuesday, despite impassioned pleas from …

Georgia senators send gender care restrictions to governor
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia senators send gender care restrictions to governor

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A bill banning most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies in Georgia for transgender people under 18 is headed to Gov. Senators voted 31-21 along party lines with Republicans pushing through Senate Bill 140, despite impassioned pleas from Democrats and LGBTQ advocates against what has become the most fiercely contested bill of Georgia’s 2023 legislative session It’s part …

Georgia Senate gives final OK to gov.'s school safety bill
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia Senate gives final OK to gov.'s school safety bill

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate gave final approval Monday to a school safety bill pushed by Gov. Hodges said the bill is part of Kemp’s “commitment to keeping our students, teachers and schools safe.” The governor has emphasized fighting youth gangs and crime as his second term begins. “Research on active shooter drills show that active shooter drills make students …

Georgia Senate bill bans some transgender care for youth
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia Senate bill bans some transgender care for youth

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate has passed a bill to bar some kinds of gender-affirming care in the state for anyone younger than 18, overriding impassioned pleas from a Democratic state senator who is the the mother of a transgender son. The 33-22 vote on Monday to pass Senate Bill 140, with all Republicans backing the measure, is part of …

Georgia bill dies that sought to curb gender talk in schools
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgia bill dies that sought to curb gender talk in schools

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A Georgia bill aimed at stopping teachers from talking to students about gender identity died an unexpected death Wednesday after conservative groups joined LGBTQ advocates in opposing the measure. Senate Bill 222, after multiple rewrites, called for public and private schools and camps to get parental involvement before talking about issues of gender identity. The bill defined gender …

Georgia lawmakers push partial ban on gender-affirming care
1 year, 10 months ago

Georgia lawmakers push partial ban on gender-affirming care

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A Georgia Senate bill is advancing to bar some kinds of gender affirming care in the state for anyone younger than 18 — part of a nationwide effort by conservatives to restrict transgender athletes, gender-affirming care and drag shows. “What we’re discussing are sterilizing and mutilating treatments that are horrific in their impact on minors,” said Taylor Hawkins …

Georgia GOP lawmaker hits pause on bill dubbed ‘Don’t Say Gay’ by critics to make changes
1 year, 10 months ago

Georgia GOP lawmaker hits pause on bill dubbed ‘Don’t Say Gay’ by critics to make changes

Raw Story  

Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that opponents compare to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, which seeks to limit the way teachers and others responsible for caring for minors can answer questions about the child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. As written, the bill bars teachers, librarians, camp counselors and others responsible for watching over people 16 and under from …

Ohio education bill, transgender athlete ban die in House
2 years ago

Ohio education bill, transgender athlete ban die in House

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The latest proposal to give Ohio’s governor more power overseeing K-12 education cleared the state Senate with a ban on transgender student-athletes in girls sports — but hit a roadblock hours later when the legislation fell several votes short of passage in the House early Thursday. That part of the legislation says no school or athletic conference …

Column: Book-banning is on the rise, as part of the far-right’s assault on democracy
2 years, 4 months ago

Column: Book-banning is on the rise, as part of the far-right’s assault on democracy

LA Times  

Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel “Maus,” about his parents’ experience during the Holocaust and as survivors, was banned by a Tennessee school board this year, among many other works targeted by crusaders against the freedom of information. Nossel ties book-banning campaigns to other efforts to control educational standards — “what we call ‘educational gag orders,’ bans on the teaching of certain …

New Georgia laws aim at schools; some laws already in effect
2 years, 5 months ago

New Georgia laws aim at schools; some laws already in effect

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — It’s a strange July 1 for new Georgia laws. The earliest parts of a big mental health care overhaul under House Bill 1013 take effect on Jan. 1, with some being phased in later. Senate Bill 226, requiring school districts to respond to challenges of materials that parents consider obscene doesn’t fully begin until Jan. 1, giving districts …

Georgia high school athletic group bans transgender athletes
2 years, 7 months ago

Georgia high school athletic group bans transgender athletes

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The main athletic association for Georgia high schools voted Wednesday to ban transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity, saying instead that students must play on teams that match the sex listed on their birth certificates at birth. When he signed a bill last week reiterating GHSA’s power to ban …

Georgia lawmakers hand transgender decision to sports group
2 years, 8 months ago

Georgia lawmakers hand transgender decision to sports group

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers dumped the thorny problem of whether transgender athletes should be allowed to play high school sports onto the state’s main athletic association in a last-minute move as the 2022 session came to a close. Senators had voted earlier to flatly ban transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity, …

Arizona governor signs bill outlawing gender-affirming care for transgender youth and approves anti-trans sports ban
2 years, 8 months ago

Arizona governor signs bill outlawing gender-affirming care for transgender youth and approves anti-trans sports ban

CNN  

Washington CNN — Republican Gov. Ducey’s approval of the health care ban, as well as a law prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams at some schools in the state, comes as GOP-led states are pushing laws that opponents say further marginalize members of the transgender community. Advocates have already vowed to challenge Arizona’s health care …

Georgia House votes to ease parental challenges to books
2 years, 8 months ago

Georgia House votes to ease parental challenges to books

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A bill that would force public schools to respond to challenges of materials parents consider obscene is moving closer to final passage in Georgia. “If parents do not want young children reading some very degrading-type material, then this is parent engagement, a process and due process for those parents to be able to challenge these materials,” Burchett said, …

Georgia Republicans introduce ‘don’t say gay’ bill following Florida legislation
2 years, 9 months ago

Georgia Republicans introduce ‘don’t say gay’ bill following Florida legislation

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican legislators in Georgia have introduced a measure to restrict …

Ban on transgender sports passes despite appeal from senator
2 years, 10 months ago

Ban on transgender sports passes despite appeal from senator

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Transgender boys and girls would be banned from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity under a bill passed Thursday by the Georgia Senate. “Let’s not move so fast, because this is hurting our kids.” The measure pushed by conservative groups would ban people born as males from competing for girls teams and would ban …

Georgia bills seek to limit inappropriate school materials
2 years, 10 months ago

Georgia bills seek to limit inappropriate school materials

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers are advancing two measures meant to limit public school students’ access to inappropriate or obscene materials. On Thursday, a House Education subcommittee passed House Bill 1217, which is designed to tighten Georgia’s standards preventing schoolchildren from accessing material harmful to minors using school computers or internet networks. The measures are part of a broader conservative push …

'Don't Say Gay' bill would limit discussion of sexuality and gender in Florida schools
2 years, 10 months ago

'Don't Say Gay' bill would limit discussion of sexuality and gender in Florida schools

NPR  

'Don't Say Gay' bill would limit discussion of sexuality and gender in Florida schools Enlarge this image toggle caption Mike Stocker/Sun Sentinel/TNS/ABACA via Reuters Mike Stocker/Sun Sentinel/TNS/ABACA via Reuters Proposed legislation in Florida would restrict how teachers can discuss sexuality and gender in the classroom, the latest effort by Republican lawmakers to remove the teaching of LGBTQ issues from schools. …

Republicans seek to spotlight politics of schools in Georgia
2 years, 11 months ago

Republicans seek to spotlight politics of schools in Georgia

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Social conservatives are looking to push education policy to the forefront when Georgia lawmakers begin meeting Monday, driven by a national tumult over the pandemic and race. But conservatives also want to give parents a greater ability to examine school curricula, restrict sex education, ban transgender girls from playing high school sports and guarantee religious freedom for students. …

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