Missouri Republicans make discussing homosexuality illegal in school

This article was originally published on Examiner.com on April 20, 2012. 

Republicans in the Missouri House are attempting to secretly pass a homophobic bill through the statehouse.

HB 2051 is simple and innocent sounding enough. It is one of thousands. The bill itself only contains 23 words, but in those it grants the power to discriminate against an entire section of people. It says verbatim, “This bill prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation in public school instruction, material, or extra curricual activity except in scientific instruction or human reproduction.“

The bill, submitted by Republican Congressmen Steve Cookson has been co-sponsored by 19 other Republicans. Their names are: CHARNHORST, KOENIG, JONES (89), BAHR, TILLEY, SHUMAKE, ROWLAND, DENISON, WELLS, SCHATZ, BURLISON, FUNDERBURK, DIEHL, GRISAMORE, PARKINSON, FITZWATER, LANT, McGHEE AND HOUGHTON.

The implications of the legislation are clear. By only allowing discussion of sexual orientation as it relates to human reproduction, this discludes and singles out all students who identify as GLBT.

There is currently no penalty proposed for not following this law, if it is enacted. This, however, is not uncommon and later on in the legislative process possible punishments will be accessed.