Alaskan Anti-LGBTQ+ Youth Bill Up for Hearing Tomorrow, Thursday, March 30
Alaska House Bill 105 is an imitation of Florida’s “Don’s Say Gay” bill and “Stop Woke Act”, hidden under the increasingly popular moniker of safeguarding parental rights in schools.
The bill is up for hearing tomorrow, Thursday, March 30.
Like legislation in Florida, this proposed bill would force educators to report any private personal information or preferences about students to their parents, would open up these educators and their schools to lawsuits if they fail to comply, and much more.
On the other hand, representatives Armstrong, Gray, Carrick, Himschoot, Mina, Story, Groh, Josephson, Galvin, Fields, Mears, Foster, McCormick, Hannan, Edgmon, Schrage have cosponsored HB 99, which would work to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression more broadly.
This would enshrine these protections under existing law. You can (and should) support it! Support also included in my sample letter below.
I’m urging you to testify against HB 105, and support HB 99 in the process.
TESTIFY: Thursday, March 30th at 5:15pm in opposition of HB 105.
You can either call or email in testimony.
Call in 15 min before the hearing:
a. Anchorage: (907)-563-9085
b. Juneau: (907)-586-9085
c. Fairbanks: (844)-586-9085
d. All other locations: (844)-586-9085
● Ask to testify on HB 105 in the House Education committee.
● Stay on the line, when it is time to testify they will call on you and then unmute your line.
● Be sure to state your name, your community (address not needed), and that you oppose HB 105.
Example Talking Points
HB 105 will increase bullying, harassment, and stigmatization towards LGBTQ+ youth, especially trans students. It attacks their sense of safety and makes it difficult for them to live healthy and safe lives. All kids have the right to feel safe at school.
This bill allows parents to access a student's health record without their consent, undermining the trust between students and school counselors. LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be affirmed in their identity and have access to health care and counseling without fear of being outed to their parents. The bill's provisions perpetuate stigma and discrimination, putting LGBTQ+ youth at greater risk of depression and suicide.
This bill is similar to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, requiring written permission from parents before students can participate in any activity involving gender identity, human reproduction, or sexual matters, including sexual abuse or assault awareness. This could have unintended consequences and restrict access to critical information.
The bill would forcibly out LGBTQ+ youth to their parents, requiring written permission before school staff can use a student's preferred name or pronoun. Educators are forced to get parental permission regardless of the student's wishes or appropriateness, and parents can sue the district for violating their rights.
The bill prohibits sex education below 4th grade, despite the importance of equipping children with skills for good health and critical thinking. Over 90% of Alaskan voters agree that sex education should be medically accurate and age-appropriate, including healthy relationships, consent, and communication skills. With the highest rate of child sexual assault in the nation, Alaska children need access to this information.
The bill targets transgender students by forcing them to use a bathroom or locker room that doesn't match their gender identity. This would violate students' privacy and force trans youth to choose between violating their sense of self or facing punishment. Trans youth deserve dignity, respect, and the opportunity to live a healthy life, and lawmakers should oppose this bill to protect all students' privacy and health.
Email written testimony:
Send to House.Education@akleg.gov, or use this form from Planned Parenthood Alaska to email your Representative, your Senator, and the House Education committee.
Here’s a sample (recycled) letter, if I could encourage you to send an email:
Dear Legislators,
I am writing to urge you to vote against any proposed bill that would put LGBTQ+ students at risk, including HB 105/SB 96, the so called “Parental Rights in Education” bill proposed by Governor Dunleavy. As you know, LGBTQ+ youth are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and they face unique challenges and barriers to success that can be exacerbated by discrimination and stigma.
Unfortunately, bills that limit the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ students, including those related to school policies and bathroom/locker access across our country have been proposed and passed. In Alaska, these bills would send a harmful message to LGBTQ+ youth that they are not valued or accepted in our communities, and they would put their health, safety, and well-being at risk.
Research has consistently shown that LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Discrimination and stigma can exacerbate these issues and create additional barriers to success, including lower academic achievement, higher absenteeism, and social isolation.
As legislators, you have the power and responsibility to create policies and practices that promote equality, justice, and safety for all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. I urge you to use this power wisely and to vote against any bill that would put these students at risk.
Instead, I encourage you to support policies and practices that create safe and inclusive environments for all Alaskans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can involve adopting inclusive sex education requirements and anti-bullying policies that specifically address LGBTQ+ harassment, ensuring that school staff receive training on LGBTQ+ issues, and providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ students who may be struggling.
This also includes supporting legislation like HB 99, which would would work to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression across our state.
By taking these steps, we can help ensure that all students, and all Alaskans, have the opportunity to succeed and thrive, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Thank you for your attention to these important issues.
Sincerely,
Kuba Grzeda
Fairbanks, Alaska
Thank you to Planned Parenthood Alaska for sharing resources to inform this post.
And thanks very much for your time.
Have a happy Wednesday.