Pre-filed bill would ban use of pronouns, discussion of gender identity in Alabama public classrooms

Rep. Mack Butler re-files "Don't Say Gay" bill for 2026 session

After failing to pass his so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill during the 2025 legislative session, Alabama State Representative Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, is trying once again to restrict expression related to gender identity and sexual orientation in Alabama classrooms.  Butler recently prefiled House Bill 23 for the 2026 legislative session, a bill which would ban discussions of gender identity as well as the display of pride flags and related sy…

Pre-filed bill would ban use of pronouns, discussion of gender identity in Alabama public classrooms

ALABAMA (WHNT) — Three Alabama representatives have pre-filed a bill for the 2026-2027 school year that would prohibit teachers from using a student's pronouns, among other things. HB23 was pre-filed by Representatives Mack Butler, Ben Harrison and Mark Gidley. The bill has three parts to it. The first part, according to the pre-filed introduced document, states that an individual or group of individuals providing classroom instruction to studen…

Alabama bill seeks to prohibit pronoun use, gender identity discussions in classrooms

ALABAMA (LOOTPRESS) – State lawmakers in Alabama have pre-filed a bill that would restrict discussions of gender identity in classrooms. The measure, introduced by State Representative Mack Butler, would prohibit teachers and school staff from referring to students by pronouns that differ from their biological sex. It would also bar employees from displaying LGBTQ flags in classrooms. Butler said the goal of the proposal is to keep gender identi…

Bill Would Expand Restrictions on Gender, Sexuality Discussions in Alabama Schools

From Tribune Staff Reports, MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A bill introduced in the Alabama House would expand existing restrictions on classroom instruction and school employee conduct related to gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools. House Bill 23, sponsored by Reps. Butler, Harrison and Gidley, seeks to prohibit instruction or classroom discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation in all public grades, prekindergarten throug…