Proposed bill would require school officials to tell parents if student is LGBTQ+
A bill has been proposed in the Mississippi House of Representatives that would require school administrators and teachers to tell parents if their child is identifying with a different gender – or species – or using pronouns that do not align with their birth gender.
House Bill 176 requires school officials to give written notice to guardians within three days.
The bill was proposed by Representative Charles Blackwell of Jones County and is supported by six other republican representatives — including Jackson County Representative Jimmy Fondren.
1.7% of Mississippi’s youth population identifies as gender non-conforming, UCLA school of law found in 2022.
House Bill 176 states that these students’ parents need to be informed if their child is gender non-conforming.
It reads: “The parents and guardians of students enrolled in the public schools of the State of Mississippi have the right and should have the opportunity… to be informed by the school and to participate in the education of their children.”
The bill goes on to state reasons why parental intervention would benefit the child.
For example, H.B. 176 says this would…
“Bring parents and guardians into the decision-making process for mental health and social-emotional issues of their children at the earliest possible time to prevent or reduce potential instances of self-harm.”
The Trevor Project is an American non-profit focused on suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ youth. The organization found that nearly 40 percent of gender non-conforming youth experience homelessness and a higher rate of suicide attempts, depression, and anxiety.
The study also said these rates are not because the children are LGBTQ+, but rather a consequence of being mistreated and stigmatized.
House Bill 176 is currently assigned to the education committee. we will continue to follow this bill as it moves through the legislature. be sure to tune in as we plan to reach out to LGBTQ+ locals about how they feel this bill will affect the children.
Representative Charles Blackwell and jimmy Fondren did not respond for comment in time for this report.
