1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

Republicans in Congress are pushing forward legislation targeting the treatment of LGBTQ+ students in public elementary and secondary schools. The Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act, H.R. 2616, would require all schools receiving federal funding to get parental approval before changing a child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name “on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.” Another anti-LGBTQ bill, the Say No to Indoctrination Act, H.R. 2617, been incorporated into H.R. 2616. The bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to codify Trump’s 2025 executive order that defined sex as a biological binary. It would also block federal funding from schools that discuss gender expression or sexual orientation in any way. The mere acknowledgement of an LGBTQ+ student or teacher’s identity would disqualify schools from federal funding. The pair of bills amounts to a national “Don’t Say Gay” law that would put vulnerable LGBTQ+ students at risk of parental harm, forced outing, and worsened mental health outcomes, while also punishing schools and teachers who offer LGBTQ+ youth lifesaving affirmation and support. Call your representatives and demand they oppose this dangerous legislation.