Dahm files floor subs to protect children from sexualization and gender reassignment

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed two floor substitutes to protect Oklahoma children from sexualization and unnecessary gender reassignment surgeries.

House Bill 1074 is modeled after Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to in the media as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The legislation would prohibit educators or other school personnel for grades kindergarten through fifth from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity. It also directs that any curriculum taught in grades six through 12 must be age and developmentally appropriate for students.

The measure would also require each school board to adopt procedures notifying a student’s parent or legal guardian if there is a change in a student’s services related to their mental health, emotional, or physical health or well-being, and the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student.

“There is absolutely no reason we should be teaching or talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in elementary school,” Dahm said. “Kids need to be learning their ABCs and how to read and write – not that a man can be a woman if he feels like it, or vice versa. I applaud the State of Florida for enacting this measure, and call on my colleagues in Oklahoma to follow their lead and do the right thing to protect our children.”

HB 1076 would prohibit any person under the age of 18 from undergoing gender reassignment treatment in the state. Any physician that performs this treatment would be subject to professional discipline by the State Medical Board and could receive a suspended or revoked license.

“If we can’t trust those under 18 to purchase or use tobacco and alcohol, they aren’t mature enough to make a long-term decision like changing their gender,” Dahm said. “As gender reassignment surgery has become more and more common over the years, we are now hearing stories of transgender adults who are reversing these procedures because they realize they made a grave mistake. And unfortunately, their bodies are mutilated because of it. This legislation would protect these vulnerable individuals from making rash decisions without fully thinking them through.”