GLSEN Responds to Louisiana Legislature Passing Three Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2023
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GLSEN Responds to Louisiana Legislature Passing Three Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills
Today, Louisiana legislators passed three different anti-LGBTQ+ bills: A“Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill (HB 466) that silences educators by banning the instruction and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity during any curricular or extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K-12; a gender-affirming care ban (HB 648) that does not allow for exceptions with parental permission; and a bill related to pronouns in school that allows schools to forcibly out and intentionally misgender transgender and non-binary students (HB 81). The bills now head to Gov. Edwards desk.
“Extremist legislators in Louisiana are using LGBTQ+ youth as political pawns, and these bills would have catastrophic consequences for young people and supportive educators,” said GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she). “We know that inclusive curriculum and LGBTQ+ representation benefits all students, and every single major medical association in the U.S. supports gender-affirming care for youth.”
“We call on Governor Edwards to rise up for LGBTQ+ youth in Louisiana and veto this egregious legislation.”
About GLSEN
GLSEN is a multi-racial, intergenerational LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K-12 educational systems in the United States. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state, and local level. Since 1990, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ+ students across the United States and helped launch an international movement to address LGBTQ+ issues in education.