#DontEraseUs: State Anti-LGBT Curriculum Laws

Home | FAQ | Join Our Campaign | State Laws 

Alabama

“Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include . . . an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.”  Ala. Code § 16-40A-2.

Arizona

“No district shall include in its course of study instruction which:

     1. Promotes a homosexual life-style.

     2. Portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style.

     3. Suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.”  ARS § 15-716.

Louisiana

“No sex education course offered in the public schools of the state shall utilize any sexually explicit materials depicting male or female homosexual activity . . . The major emphasis of any sex education instruction offered in the public schools of this state shall be to encourage sexual abstinence between unmarried persons and any such instruction shall: . . . Emphasize abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children.”  La. R.S. § 17:281.

Mississippi

“Abstinence-only education shall remain the state standard for any sex-related education taught in the public schools.  For purposes of this section, abstinence-only education includes any type of instruction or program which, at an appropriate age . . . [t]eaches the current state law related to sexual conduct, including forcible rape, statutory rape, . . . and homosexual activity . . . and teaches that a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the only appropriate setting for sexual intercourse.”  Miss. Code § 37-13-171.

Oklahoma

“AIDS prevention education shall specifically teach students that: 1. engaging in homosexual activity, promiscuous sexual activity, intravenous drug use or contact with contaminated blood products is now known to be primarily responsible for contact with the AIDS virus; 2. avoiding the activities specified in paragraph 1 of this subsection is the only method of preventing the spread of the virus.”  70 Okla. Stat. § 11-103.3.

South Carolina

“The program of instruction provided for in this section may not include a discussion of alternative sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships including, but not limited to, homosexual relationships except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases.”  S.C. Code § 59-32-30(A).

Texas

“The materials in the education programs intended for persons younger than 18 years of age must: (1) emphasize sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage as the expected standard . . . and (2) state that homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle and is a criminal offense under Section 21.06, Penal Code.”  Tex. Health & Safety Code § 85.007.  “Course materials and instruction relating to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include: emphasis, provided in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under Section 21.06, Penal Code.”  Tex. Health & Safety Code § 163.002.