I must admit it! At first, I was troubled! It seemed foolish to me that someone in the State Legislature would sponsor a bill outlawing the ability to say “Gay”! “Don’t Say Gay,” it turns out was a label given to the proposed Bill by those in the media who were against its contents. Upon a closer examination, it turns out that this was a dishonest attempt to cast the proposal as something it was not. I discovered the truth after reading the Bill for myself and not depending on media pundits, reporters, and people who had ill-will against anyone who dared to push back against the narrative. If more people checked the primary sources instead of depending on another person’s reading or interpretation, many members of the public would often not be so easily swayed by media characterizations and sensational headlines.
It turns out the Parental Rights in Education was a Bill designed to reinforce parents’ fundamental rights to make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children. It prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits instruction that is not age appropriate for students. Moreover, it requires school districts to adopt procedures for notifying parents if there is a change in services from the school regarding a child’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.
None of this would be needed, however, if it were not for an intentional movement by some people to indoctrinate children concerning the redefinition of gender. Indeed, considering this movement, many people contended that the Bill did not go far enough. Additionally, some people also thought that no indoctrination of any kind concerning sexuality, whether heterosexual or homosexual, should have been introduced to elementary students.
Also, the push-back became necessary, because this new perspective on sexuality and gender was being introduced by many in the educational arena. Furthermore, it was being promoted under the guise of services connected to children’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Teachers, school districts, and other proponents were subtly presenting this new controversial teaching and worldview and simultaneously, characterizing it as harmless. In some cases, this influence was being disguised under the theme of “safety,” as some school districts, schools, and teachers were beginning their assault on the young and impressionable minds of children. Because of the subconscious and constant indoctrination, these young children would eventually become adolescents and adults with the notion that these new assertions concerning sexuality and gender were normal and acceptable.
Additionally, anyone who would then challenge, refute, reject, or offer another perspective was being viewed as being outside the mainstream, intolerant, hateful, and even “violent.” The attachment of these labels became a new strategy to weaponize these mischaracterizations against those people who dared to contradict or oppose them! In some instances, the fight was against parents themselves who were viewed as ignorant about what was best for their own children. Therefore, the Parental Rights in Education Bill became necessary!
