A BILL working its way through the Tennessee legislature would prohibit teachers from mentioning homosexuality before the ninth grade.
Sponsored by Republican state Sen. Stacey Campfield, SB 0049--also known as the "Don't Say Gay bill"--would make it illegal for teachers and other educators to discuss any sexual behavior--apart from heterosexuality, of course--with students in kindergarten up through the eighth grade.
Campfield has made a name for himself sponsoring similarly draconian bills in the past--including a proposal to issue death certificates for aborted fetuses.
As Salon.com's Alex Pareene noted:
It is already against the law in Tennessee to "teach any sex education that is not part of the 'family life curriculum' adopted by the state Board of Education," making any objective classroom discussion of "homosexual practices" a misdemeanor. But Sen. Campfield insists that gayness is still being talked about, and he aims to stop it.
Campfield has been introducing this bill into the House for six years running, without success. Now a state senator, he is suddenly having more luck.
In addition to banning the nonexistent practice of teachers indoctrinating children with homosexual propaganda, the bill will also presumably stop potential anti-bullying lessons and campaigns. Or, at least, it will preclude any anti-bullying talk that mentions sexual orientation or anti-gay language.
Why a man named Stacey would want to make it more difficult to help children who are victims of homophobic bullying is beyond me.
