Don’t Say Gay

If the bill were to become law, it could affect not only schools but also programs, events and literature at any federally-funded institution. But its prospects are dim for now.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered at a church in Columbus to protest an Ohio House bill that would ban the instruction and teaching of certain concepts.

Earlier this month House Bill 616 was introduced in the Ohio legislature. Referred to as Ohio’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the proposed legislation would prevent teachers from addressing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-Grade 3 classrooms. Opponents of the bill say it could stifle economic growth. We’ll look at the impact passage of this legislation could have on Ohio businesses.

Columbus City Schools leaders released a statement Tuesday about their opposition to an Ohio House bill regulating discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.

The specific details regarding the bills vary between state. But overall, they seek to prohibit schools from using a curriculum or discussing topics of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Ohio lawmakers will consider a bill modeled after a Florida law that limits what can be taught on LGBTQ issues in schools. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how the bill might fare in the Buckeye state. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow joins the show.

LGTBQ advocates and teachers' unions are rallying against the legislation which they call harmful to students and educators.