House GOP proposes bill to ban funding for ‘sexually oriented’ children’s events

According to Fox News, the bill titled "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act," was introduced by GOP Congressman Mike Johnson from Louisiana who said, "This commonsense bill is straightforward. No federal tax dollars should go to any federal, state or local government agencies, or private organizations that intentionally expose children under 10 years of age to sexually explicit material."

The act defines "sexually-oriented material" as "any topic involving gender identity, gender dysphoria, transgenderism, sexual orientation, or related subjects" as well as "any depiction, description, or simulation of sexual activity, any lewd or lascivious depiction or description of human genitals."

According to the Hill, "LGBTQ advocates immediately drew comparisons to a new Florida education law barring public school educators from engaging in classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity – known as the 'Don’t Say Gay' law to its critics.

Similarly, NBC wrote, "Congressional Republicans introduced what some are calling a national version of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill — or what critics have dubbed the 'Don’t Say Gay' bill."

Earlier in March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed his "Parental Rights in Education" bill, which is a ban on teachings of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for children in kindergarten through third grade statewide in classroom instruction. For older kids, classroom instrution in these areas must be age appropriate.

Nowhere is the phrase "Don't say gay" mentioned in the bill.

Johnson, who is vice chair of the House Republican Conference, added "The Democrat Party and their cultural allies are on a misguided crusade to immerse young children in sexual imagery and radical gender ideology."

The Florida "Parental Rights in Education" and "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act" do share similarities in that they better enable parents to sue organizations that promote sexually inappropriate materials to minors with taxpayer money.

Johnson's bill states, "State and local library systems, museums, and other educational institutions that receive Federal grants have purchased sexually-oriented literature and materials that target preadolescent children and teach them about concepts like masturbation, pornography, sexual acts, and gender transition" and "Private organizations, State government agencies, and local government agencies have made use of Federal grants to host and promote sexually oriented events like drag queen story hours and burlesque shows."

Johnson cited instances when the Department of Defense funded drag shows at military bases as an example.

Johnson's office said, "HHS and DOD funding should be used to keep our country healthy and safe, not to stage burlesque shows for children."