A bill to overhaul the Department of Archives and History's oversight board passed the Senate on Wednesday.

The bill, SB77, passed 26-7, with all Democrats opposed and all Republicans in favor. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), would remove the current board members and replace them with appointees handpicked by the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House, and president pro tempore of the Senate.

Elliott argued that the bill is aimed at correcting “bureaucratic” boards that are not responsive to the people's values ​​and concerns. However, during a debate on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Elliott revealed that the problem lies in his hosting an event last June about LGBTQ+ history, which Elliott said was not true history for him. He seems to have acknowledged it.

“What doesn't matter is who had sex last night,” Elliott said while discussing the bill and its historical significance with Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro. .

The Department of Public Records held an event called “Invisible No More: Alabama's LGBTQ+ History,” sponsored by the Invisible Histories Project.

The incident sparked a backlash from conservatives and several Republicans, including Mr. Elliott. During the debate, Elliott said the content was not about history but about indoctrination.

After the bill passed, Alabama Senate Republicans posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that ADAH was involved in “left-wing policies” using public funds.

“The purpose of state-funded institutions is to reflect the will of the people,” the post said. “Yet, the Department of Archives and History has blatantly ignored Alabama's longstanding commitment to preserving history and instead promoted its own social agenda.”

Throughout history, LGBTQ+ people have been marginalized and discriminated against simply for being queer.

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth endorsed the bill in a statement following its passage.

“No general fund agency should declare itself beyond oversight and accountability, so we are opening the doors to the Archives Commission and giving any Alabamian who wishes the opportunity to apply for appointment,” Ainsworth said in a statement. It's time to force them to give.”

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives and, if passed, could become law.