Presidential hopeful DeSantis inspires push to make book bans easier in Republican-controlled states
May 26, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) — As he vies for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting a series of measures he has pushed that have led to an upswing in banned or restricted books — not just in Florida schools but in an increasing number of other conservative states.
Iowa law limits gender identity instruction, removes books depicting sex acts from school libraries
May 26, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa teachers will be banned from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and all books depicting sex acts will be removed from school libraries, under a bill Republican Iowa Gov.
Using ‘he/him,’ ‘she/her’ in emails got 2 dorm directors fired at small New York Christian college
May 21, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Shua Wilmot and Raegan Zelaya, two former dorm directors at a small Christian university in western New York, acknowledge their names are unconventional, which explains why they attached gender identities to their work email signatures.
Louisiana’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill passes, advances to Senate
May 10, 2023 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As Republican-drafted legislation that prohibits school employees from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom mounts, Louisiana lawmakers advanced their own “Don’t Say Gay” bill Tuesday.
Iowa lawmakers close with private school funds, tax breaks
May 4, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature adjourned Thursday after approving most of the Republican majority's priorities, including using public money for private school tuition, banning gender-affirming care for transgender children, removing some books from school libraries and reorganizing state government in a way that gives the governor more power over top administrators.
Louisiana ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill advances out of committee
April 26, 2023 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As several conservative states adopt legislation that prohibits school employees from teaching or discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom, Louisiana advanced its own “Don’t Say Gay” bill Wednesday.
Iowa may limit gender identity, sexual orientation teachings
April 21, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have passed a sweeping education bill limiting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation, requiring school administrators to notify parents if a student asks to use a new name or pronouns, and removing books depicting sex acts.
Florida House votes to expand ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
March 31, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida could expand what critics call the “Don't Say Gay” law that limits discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools under a bill the House approved Friday along party lines.
District sued over axing of student paper after LGBTQ issue
March 31, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former high school journalist and the Nebraska High School Press Association sued Friday over a school district's shutdown of the school newspaper after it published an LGBTQ-focused edition.
Other states are copying Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” efforts
March 23, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Florida's move to expand its prohibition on teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom comes as Republican lawmakers in other states are pursuing their own versions of what critics have dubbed the “Don't Say Gay” law.
Florida aims to revoke hotel’s liquor license for drag show
March 16, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration is moving to revoke the liquor license of a Miami hotel that hosted a Christmas drag show, a crackdown that comes as the Republican governor looks to shore up his conservative credentials ahead of an expected 2024 presidential bid.
Arkansas lawmakers send Gov. Sanders school bathroom bill
March 15, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Transgender people at Arkansas public schools would not be able to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity under a bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday.
Florida advances bills on gender identity, defamation
March 14, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Republicans on Tuesday advanced a proposal to ban classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity through the eighth grade, expanding the controversial law critics call "Don't Say Gay."
Arkansas Gov. Sanders signs bill creating school vouchers
March 9, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an education bill Wednesday that creates a new school voucher program, raises minimum teacher salaries and places restrictions on classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Alaska governor proposes sex ed limits, teacher bonuses
March 8, 2023 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed what he calls a parental rights bill that would require written permission from a parent when a child asks to change the name or pronoun they use at school as part of a package he says is aimed at broadening the conversation around public education.
Proposals heard to wrest control of Nebraska education
March 8, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — No one showed up at public hearings Tuesday to support legislative proposals that would give Nebraska's Republican governor more control over the state's K-12 policies, while many people testified against the measures, with most citing a fear of politicizing basic education protocols.
Arkansas House approves Sanders’ education overhaul proposal
March 3, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Some parents in Arkansas could get access to school vouchers that would help pay for private school tuition and home schooling as soon as this fall under a bill the state House approved Thursday as part of a massive education overhaul,
Missouri debates ban on LGBTQ education for all grades
March 1, 2023 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers argued Wednesday over a bill that would ban most LGBTQ education subjects for all grades in the state's public schools.
The proposal is modeled after a Florida education law passed last year, touted by supporters as protecting “parent's rights” and dubbed by opponents as a “ Don't Say Gay ” law.
Indiana ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill pivots to kids’ gender identity
February 20, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Teachers in Indiana public schools could be required to tell parents if a student changes their gender identity or preferred name under a bill House committee members approved Monday.
Georgia bill: Bar teacher-student discussion about gender
February 17, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia senator says he wants to stop teachers from talking to students about gender identity, but admits his bill remains full of unintended consequences and must be redrafted.
School reverses urinal ban after bathroom access debate
February 16, 2023 GMTMILFORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire school board has reversed a policy banning middle and high school students from using urinals after dozens protested the measure, which had been a compromise to a proposal that would have blocked students from using facilities based on their gender identity.
Bill would compel teachers to tell parents about gender talk
February 14, 2023 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri public school teachers would be required to tell parents if their children question their gender identity under a bill advanced Tuesday in the state Senate.
New Hampshire students protest urinal ban in gender debate
February 12, 2023 GMTDozens of students walked out of their New Hampshire school after the district banned urinals in a compromise to a proposal that would have blocked children from using facilities based on their gender identity.
Arkansas Gov. Sanders proposes raises, vouchers in bill
February 8, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed on Wednesday an overhaul of the state's schools that will pair a 39% raise in starting teacher pay with a new voucher program that will direct public money to pay for private and home schooling.
Missouri proposal goes farther than ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
February 7, 2023 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — K-12 public school teachers and counselors would be largely outlawed from talking about LGBTQ people under a Missouri proposal more restrictive than what critics call Florida's “ Don't Say Gay ” law.
Experts warn NC bill could harm LGBTQ youth mental health
February 2, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Critics of a North Carolina bill that advanced Thursday in the state Senate say it could jeopardize the mental health and physical safety of LGBTQ students who could be outed to their parents without consent.
North Carolina Senate again seeking LGBTQ limits in schools
February 1, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A bill advancing in North Carolina's Senate would prohibit instruction about sexuality and gender identity in K-4 public school classes, defying the recommendations of parents, educators and LGBTQ youths who testified against it.
Executive Council rejects funding for sex education program
November 23, 2022 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Three Republicans on New Hampshire's Executive Council held the majority vote to reject funding for a sex education program outside of school for adolescents that aims to reduce teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
EXPLAINER: The history behind ‘parents’ rights’ in schools
November 14, 2022 GMTThe movement for “parents' rights” saw many of its candidates come up short in this year's midterm elections.
Effort to rescind revised sex education in WI district fails
September 28, 2022 GMTWAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) — An effort to rescind a revised sex education curriculum in a suburban Milwaukee school district that includes instruction to students as young as kindergarteners has failed.
Miami school board reverses itself, approves sex ed textbook
July 29, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The board for Florida’s largest school district rescinded a decision made last week that rejected new sex education textbooks for middle and high school students.
Florida school board rejects sex ed textbook under pressure
July 21, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The school board of Florida's largest school district reversed its decision to adopt a new sex education book, with some in the majority saying the material is not age appropriate for students in middle and high school.
New ‘Doctor Who’ star is ‘Sex Education’ actor Ncuti Gatwa
May 8, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Ncuti Gatwa will take the mantle from Jodie Whittaker on “Doctor Who,” the BBC announced Sunday, ending speculation over the iconic Time Lord's next regeneration.
Maine education groups rally against challenges to books
January 26, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine education groups have joined an intellectual freedom campaign to push back against reports that certain books are inappropriate for school libraries.
Educate Maine, the organizer of the campaign, said “these challenges are about more than the content of the texts; they are attempts to silence and erase the truths and humanity of the books’ characters and creators."
Republicans seek to spotlight politics of schools in Georgia
January 6, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — 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.
Hungary’s parliament approves referendum on LGBT issues
November 30, 2021 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's parliament authorized the government Tuesday to call a national referendum on LGBT issues, the latest in a series of steps by the country's nationalist leaders that critics say are intended to limit minority rights.
Group that fought Nebraska sex ed standards forms PAC
November 12, 2021 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Members of a group that led a push to scrap proposed statewide sex education standards that would have covered gender identity and sexual orientation have formed a political action committee.
NC Lt. Gov. Robinson gets support at conservatives’ rally
October 29, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Conservative Christians gathered on Friday cheered North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who pledged to fight on for their principles and remain on the job despite recent calls by LGBTQ advocates and others for him to resign.
Governor: Lt. governor’s LGBTQ comments don’t speak for NC
October 13, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday that Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson “does not speak for North Carolina,” a reference to comments that Robinson made about sex education in public schools that critics say plainly disparaged LGBTQ people.
Ducey OKs bill shielding small business owners from new tax
July 9, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday signed legislation banning state or local governments from requiring training in “critical race theory” and a bill creating a new small business income tax category that will allow small business owners to avoid paying any of the 3.5% income tax surcharge voters approved in November.
Vetoed Arizona sex education bill heading back to governor
June 25, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The Republican-controlled Legislature on Friday sent a contentious sex education bill that was previously vetoed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey back to his desk after it was stripped of language he objected to that would have prevented young children from being taught how to avoid or report sexual abuse.
Vetoed Arizona sex education bill coming back with changes
May 12, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A contentious sex education bill that was vetoed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey last month is being revived, with the sponsor keeping what she called “the heart” of the proposal, increased parental notifications, but stripping out provisions that specifically targeted discussion of LGBTQ issues...
Arizona governor vetoes strict sex education legislation
April 21, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have made the state's sex education laws some of the strictest in the nation when it comes to teaching about LGBTQ issues...
Arkansas bill OK’d to block Planned Parenthood sex education
April 19, 2021 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers sent legislation to Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday to prevent Planned Parenthood from providing sex education programs in public schools...
Conservatives propose revised sex ed rules in LGBTQ pushback
April 14, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Two years after Arizona lawmakers repealed a ban on any HIV/AIDS instruction that “promotes a homosexual lifestyle" as they faced a lawsuit, they have approved revamping the state's sex education laws to make them some of the strictest in the nation when it comes to teaching about LGBTQ issues...
Senate OKs bill to stop NDSU’s ties with Planned Parenthood
April 7, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s House on Wednesday passed legislation aimed at preventing North Dakota State University from funneling federal grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state...
Debate brews in Florida about parental consent over sex ed
March 30, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Culture-war politics over sex education could again erupt in Florida’s statehouse, as a Senate Committee advanced a measure Tuesday that would require public school boards to hold hearings on what should be included in sex education curricula...
North Dakota State head defends ties with Planned Parenthood
March 30, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The president of North Dakota State University said Tuesday that he won’t bow to political pressure or proposed sanctions against the school for having ties to Planned Parenthood...
House panel OK’s tighter school sex education rules
March 24, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona parents would have to opt-in to specific discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation or HIV in sex education classes and schools would be barred from providing any instruction before 5th grade under a proposal approved by a House committee Wednesday over opposition from minority Democrats...
Bill aims to stop NDSU relationship with Planned Parenthood
March 15, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A House panel on Monday took no action on a Senate bill to prohibit North Dakota State University from funneling federal grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state, a move some Republican lawmakers say may result in classes that promote abortion...
Idaho House passes opt in requirement for sex education
March 5, 2021 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers in the Idaho House have passed legislation that would require parents to opt in two weeks in advance before their kids can receive some sex education lessons in school...
Arizona bill limits sex ed, discussion of sexual orientation
March 3, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona lawmakers are considering banning sex education before fifth grade and requiring written parental permission before discussing sexuality or gender identity in any classes...
Montana Senate advances bill to allow sex education opt out
February 22, 2021 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Senate voted Monday to advance a bill that would allow parents of public school students to opt out of sex education and would ban abortion providers from offering information in schools...
Montana lawmaker seeks requiring parental consent for sex ed
February 4, 2021 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana Senate committee considered Wednesday a bill that would require parental consent for sexual education and ban abortion providers from offering information in schools...
Texas education board set to revise sex education curriculum
November 20, 2020 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — In the first changes to the sex education curriculum in Texas in more than 20 years, the State Board of Education on Friday approved teaching middle schoolers about birth control but decided against providing students with information on consent, sexual orientation and gender identity...
Washington passes 1st voter-approved sex ed mandate in US
November 4, 2020 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Washington state voters approved a sex education referendum, allowing Democrats' wide-ranging mandate for public schools to stand and take effect later this school year...
Washington state court explains ruling in defamation case
October 27, 2020 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state Supreme Court has dismissed a defamation case brought by Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal against his election opponent who stated Reykdal championed a policy that teaches “sexual position to fourth graders...
COVID, sex ed define Washington superintendent race
October 14, 2020 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic and a controversial sex education mandate are casting a shadow over the race for Washington state education chief in the November election...
Sex ed mandate sparks bitter Washington state ballot fight
September 28, 2020 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Democrats in the Washington state Legislature thought they had passed a routine sex education requirement for public schools earlier this year...
Poland lawmakers defer final vote on divisive abortion bill
April 16, 2020 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish lawmakers on Thursday postponed a final decision on controversial proposals to impose a near-total ban on abortion and criminalize school sex education in the predominantly Catholic country, in a move that could lead to the draft laws being mothballed...