A new bill introduced by Rep. Mac Butler (R-Gadsden) would extend Alabama's “Don't Tell Me I'm Gay” law to high schools.

Butler introduced a similar bill in the last Congress that would extend the state's ban on discussing or teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom to eighth graders.

Butler decided to extend it to high schools after discussing the bill with groups like Moms for Liberty, which she met on a Zoom call on Nov. 2.

Butler previously told APR that he was introducing the bill to combat “challenges” in the public school system.

“Parents have lost a lot of voice in education, and COVID-19 has brought a lot of that back into the spotlight,” Butler said. “I just want to bring to life the wishes of parents. No one wants to ban any book, just like a library book. But a 5-year-old can't go see an R-rated or an X-rated movie. This puts the responsibility on the adult again.”

April Butler asked whether the law would apply to schools that require students to write book reviews of books with gay characters.

“I don't think this applies to book reviews,” Butler said. “Gay people have been around since time immemorial. The new fad is to turn people towards this transgender thing, which I think is probably a fad. If you want to pretend you're a woman, so be it. Please. But that doesn't mean I have to follow it. There are clearly differences between men and women.”

Butler said the bill protects the innocence of children.

“Most of us have a strong desire to protect the innocence of children,” Butler said. “Most parents don't want their kids exposed to that early on. That way, school doesn't put it on the agenda.”

The bill also strikes down language in current law that prohibits discussion or instruction “in a manner that is not age- or developmentally appropriate for the student in accordance with state standards.”