Crowds gather at Capitol for bill hearing on teaching of sexual orientation, gender identity in schools
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Half an hour before the hearing for Senate Bill 134 on Tuesday morning, a crowd of more than 60 people were standing outside the Senate Lounge door.
The crowd consisted of people from Capitol regulars in suits to some young enough to still be enrolled in the schools that would be affected by the bill. They were at the Capitol to share their thoughts on whether public school teachers should be able to talk about sexual orientation and gender identity with their students.
SB 134, nicknamed the "Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act" by Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) and the "Don't Say Gay" bill by those who are against it, had a hearing Tuesday morning in front a Senate Committee.
The bill would prohibit any employee of a Missouri public or charter school, whether nurse, teacher or counselor, from talking to students about gender identity and sexual orientation. The only exceptions are for licensed mental health professionals or those with prior parental permission.
"The media is not telling the truth here," Moon said. "They're reporting this as the 'Don't say gay' bill, which that's not what this is about. This is protecting vulnerable children."
Sen. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City), who is openly gay, was offended by the bill.
"I don't think I've ever felt more disrespected by a single piece of legislation than this one," Razer said. "You are erasing me as a human from our public schools."
Around 100 people came to testify on the bill. Sarah Fessler was among those in support of the bill. Fessler said a teacher convinced her child they were gay.
"She was convinced that since she didn't have sexual feelings towards a man, she was gay," Fessler said. "I don't care if you identify as a unicorn, you need to tell the parents first."
A large group lead by PROMO Missouri came to rally against the bill. Michael Lundgren is against the bill because he said his teachers helped him come out to his mother.
"My teachers are the reason my relationship with my mom is stronger than ever," Lundgren said. "When I needed them most, I had teachers who listened, supported and encouraged me."
This is the latest in a line of Republican-introduced bills dealing with LGBTQ+ issues in the Missouri legislature. Crowds were at the Capitol already this session to testify on a series of bills that would prohibit transgender student-athletes from participating in sports with the gender they identify with.
