AL House Passes Anti-Drag And Don’t Say Gay Bills

The Birmingham News reports:

House Bills 67 and 244, both described by supporters as parental rights legislation, would ban drag performances and cross-dressing in schools and would expand Alabama’s current “Don’t Say Gay” law to include older students. Lawmakers approved HB67, the anti-drag bill, on a 76-9 vote with no discussion. HB244, filed by Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, drew some opposition but ultimately passed on a 74-15 vote. Both bills will head to the Senate.

HB67, sponsored by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, would prohibit public K-12 schools and libraries from “knowingly presenting or sponsoring” drag performances in the presence of a minor without their parent’s consent.” The bill defines a drag performance as any performance in which “a performer exhibits a sex identity that is different from the sex assigned to the performer at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers.”

Read the full article. Butler’s bill expands the state’s existing “Don’t Say Gay” law from grades K-5 to grades K-12. Stadthagen appeared here last year as the sponsor of a bill that would allow arresting librarians for shelving books “harmful to minors.”

Alabama House passes bill to prohibit gender ideology from being discussed in public schools, teachers from displaying pride flags or emblems, and teachers from using a student’s preferred pronouns.

Only around half of House Dems voted against the measure.#ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/dP1qEU0qcZ

— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) April 17, 2025