An LGBT state senator in Ohio is upset over a recently-introduced bill that would prevent “divisive concepts” from being taught in the classroom.
“HB 616 is more than just about censoring LGBTQ discussion. The bill combines the worst parts of Ohio’s curriculum bans censoring topics of race and intersectionality. A more expansive version of Florida’s Recent Bill,” State Senator Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said.
Teachers & children won’t be able to talk about their lives-all now deemed “divisive concepts” which our lives are not
— Nickie J. Antonio (@nickieantonio) April 8, 2022
“Teachers & children won’t be able to talk about their lives-all now deemed ‘divisive concepts’ which our lives are not,” she continued.
Antonio is the first openly gay person elected to the Ohio General Assembly.
But HB 616 makes no mention of LGBT issues, as the far-left state senator suggests.
The Ohio Star reported the bill says the following:
According to the bill, any CRT [Critical Race Theory] teaching falls into the category of “divisive.” So does intersectionality – the far-left concepts that go hand in hand with CRT, focusing on sexually and racially “oppressed” minorities.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion learning outcomes” would be banned under the bill, as would “inherited racial guilt.”
The New York Times’ infamous 1619 Project, which seeks to re-write U.S. history, would be banned from Ohio’s schools too.
Antonio also referenced Florida’s HB 1557, which a vocal minority of far-left extremists oppose. That bill prevents teachers from talking to students up to eight years of age about sexuality and gender identity.
According to Politico polling, a majority of Americans support HB 1557.
Antonio is the author of SB 119, a bill that establishes a commission to stop “any person from engaging in unlawful discriminatory practices.”
That bill, dubbed the “Ohio Fairness Act,” is much vaguer than HB 616, and does not define what “discriminatory practices” are.
However, the Ohio state Senate Democrats celebrated the introduction of that bill last week, on the international “Trans Day of Visibility.”
“Today is #TransDayOfVisibility and Ohio Senate Democrats are committed to creating policies that protect the safety and wellbeing of all Ohioans,” the group said. “Passing the #OhioFairnessAct, introduced by [State Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-District 23)], will ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, creating a more safe and inclusive Ohio.”
Passing the #OhioFairnessAct, introduced by @nickieantonio, will ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, creating a more safe and inclusive Ohio. pic.twitter.com/ZbDUkrOUf9
— Ohio Senate Dems (@OhioSenateDems) March 31, 2022
_ _ _
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Nickie Antonio” by Nickie J. Antonio. Background Photo “Ohio Statehouse” by 12019.
