CONCORD, N.H.— Today, Governor Sununu signed HB 1312 into law. AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement:
“Following the same pattern as the divisive concepts, today Governor Sununu signed HB 1312 into law, a bill that requires 2 weeks’ notice for any discussion anywhere in the curriculum of “sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression.” These topics show in a wide variety of academic subjects outside of sex ed, including history, economics, literature, art and without clear boundaries and expectations could lead to teachers accidentally violating this law.
Further, if the intent of this bill is to silence teachers reading books or teaching a lesson that happens to focus on an LGBTQ person, it is discriminatory and harmful to our students, especially to LGBTQ+ students in our classrooms. Anti-LGBTQ politicians in the House and the Senate and Governor Sununu should be ashamed for pushing this hateful and confusing bill that will unquestionably cause more harm than good for our teachers and students.”
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