First up is SB34, which would encourage public schools to offer electives in High School on the "Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, and New Testament"
I thought about testifying on this bill, and encouraging an expanded version, which would promote the study of religious traditions from around the world that are found in Missouri (eg, the Quran, Hindu texts, etc...).
There's a surprising number of people testifying on Missouri's "teach kids the Bible in school!" bill. The first testimony is from a minister arguing in favor of this bill, "this is not to teach religion... but to lead people to water and they can choose if they drink."
Now another testimony in support of #SB34 (the "Teach the Bible In Public Schools!" bill) with a similar perspective: "it's not indoctrination by teachers... Because students will read the Bible and they will see the truth themselves!"
It's wild how these folks are saying out loud that they believe that "reading the Bible" will lead public school students to the Truth. How is this not an overt violation of the establishment clause?
No more testimony in support of #SB34. Now those opposed: First up in opposition is a baptist minister and Christian publisher who is arguing that by encouraging the Bible, Missouri is playing favorites. "Which bible are we going to teach? Orthodox? Protestant? Catholic?"
This baptist minister is testifying that turning the Bible into a social studies elective is to dismiss the sacredness of Scripture. He says it's his job to teach his kids the Bible, not the State's.
I had decided not to testify against this bill so as to not take up time from testimony against #sb134 #DontDayGay.... But I'm kinda itching to jump up and testify now...
There is a Senator now arguing pretty clearly that he's supporting #SB34 because he believes in teaching Christianity in school.
The "Teach the Bible In Public Schools!" sponsor is demonstrating pretty clearly why we *do* need better education around religion in our polity. They are saying multiple untruths ("there were only two religions before Christianity!" "Most religions are based on the Bible")
Committee just went into executive session and passed a bill out of committee that would give teachers bonuses for going through "civics training".
Here comes Missouri's #DontSayGay #SB134 . Senator Mike Moon is the sponsor, and starts by saying that this bill isn't "don't say gay", but it's instead about "protecting vulnerable children" from hearing about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Senator Moon is now quoting from the Orwellian-named "American College of Pediatrics"... Which is actually a hate-group that sounds like a real medical org.
Senator Moon is now talking about trans kids as being mentally ill; he has misgendered kids multiple times so far in his testimony; now he's reading from STL Public Schools inclusion policy, and arguing that using kids' preferred pronouns shouldn't ever be required in schools.
Sen @LaurenArthurMO asking Sen Moon smart questions re: why this isn't applying to private schools; now she's asking, "when I was a teacher I was single, and my students would ask me if I was dating anyone... Would that be allowed?"
Sen Mike Moon doesn't seem to understand that "straight" and "cis-gender" are also sexual orientations/gender identities... And Senator @LaurenArthurMO is taking him to school on it!
Senator Hoskins is now comparing the discussion of the existence of trans folk/LGBTQ folk in schools, to sexual harassment in the workplace 🤢
Senator Rick Brattin seems to be suggesting that schools requiring that teachers/students use a kids' pronouns/name is a violation of parents' rights who don't want their kids to know of the existence of trans people.
These Missouri Republicans are literally arguing that the right of conservative parents and kids to bully and deny the existence of trans kids... Should supercede the right of trans kids to be treated with basic human dignity. #DontSayGay
First witness in favor of #DontSayGay: the mom of a trans boy who is misgendering her child over and over. Her voice is harsh, and cruel, and my heart breaks for this precious child.
First witness in opposition: Nikhil Vashee, who is talking about how Missouri's bill is even more extreme than Florida's bill. He's doing a great job of illustrating the disastrous impact of these bills on schools and kids.
Witness gets cut off by the chair while he is finishing, and there is Senator @gregrazer to back him up!
"I've never felt as disrespected by any piece of legislation as I am by #DontSayGay... This bill attempts to erase my existence."
"You've titled this the vulnerable child protection act...I was a vulnerable (gay) child, and I needed someone to stand up for me. This is the most disrespectful bill I have ever seen in my 7 years in this building." Senator @gregrazer
Witness testifying in favor of #DontSayGay literally just said that abusive parents should still have parental rights, and school officials shouldn't be able to support LGBTQ kids with abusive guardians at home.
Senator @gregrazer talking about how a childhood friend wasn't allowed to watch the Cosby Show because his parents didn't want him to see black folk on TV; asks what the difference is between that and #DontSayGay
"I guarantee you that I was born this way, and whether you like it or not, I am here!" Senator @gregrazer with 🔥🔥🔥
Now a representative from the School Counselors Association: "censoring what students can share with school professionals... Will put the lives of kids at risk." #ProtectTransKids #DontSayGay #MOLeg
Senator @gregrazer asking a guidance counselor about what happens when a queer kid walks into their office for support... And are scared of what their parents' reaction will be. And what would happen if counselors are mandated to report to the (unsupportive, abusive parents).
Senator @DougBeck562 is asking smart questions getting into the (disastrous) real world impact of Missouri's #DontSayGay bill #sb134
Next testimony in support of #DontSayGay in Missouri is.... quite angry in his testimony. I'll let his shirt speak for him. (He's getting louder and louder... Now banging on the table. Kinda surprised Chair isn't gaveling) 
And on-brand, Missouri's "Don Jr Cosplayer of the Year" Senator Nick Schroer is now asking our angry-testifier a question. (I'm not following what the question is...)
Now the president of the National Association of Social Workers opens their testimony in support of LGBTQ kids in Missouri by quoting Harvey Milk ז''ל
The witnesses testifying in support of Missouri's #DontSayGay seem to be consistently arguing that even acknowledging the existence of LGBT people is somehow "sexual and sexualizing".
Next up: @katyerker the awesome ED of @PROMOMissouri (the incredible org responsible for all of the efforts to #ProtectTransKids in Missouri, and the new fiscal-home of campindigopoint.org!)
Powerful testimony from @katyerker talking about how many families of queer kids (and queer adults) will flee the State because of a bill like #DontSayGay
Senator Rick Brattin is now suggesting that teaching kids about the existence of trans and queer kids is the equivalent of "a teacher proselytizing biblical sexuality to children!" Which...ummm..
as a Jewish kid who went to public schools: THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME
as a Jewish kid who went to public schools: THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME
"is your concern that your child won't grow up with your worldview if they are exposed to differing perspectives?" Sen @LaurenArthurMO 🔥🔥🔥
@the_debijackson 's husband is up testifying now that this bill is the last, dying gasp of a hateful worldview. "You have lost!"
Senator @gregrazer : "you're right; they have lost. They've lost because I'm sitting here (up on the dais), and they've lost because you're sitting there (@the_debijackson's husband)."
Senator @gregrazer to Senator Moon (the #DontSayGay sponsor): Senator, you may call yourself my friend, but if you were my parent, I sure wouldn't feel safe coming out to you!"
The next (bigoted, awful) witness testifying in support of #DontSayGay says she's speaking in the name of all religious people in the room. Umm, no?!?
Now Rabbi Scott Slarsky, fighting back tears, is powerfully and heroically testifying in support of the trans students he has known. "Teaching should elevate the sacred... Please do not pass this bill!" ❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🙏
(At some point I'm going to leave this hearing and head to the other room that is hearing a cruel bill that would prevent trans kids born in Missouri from ever changing the gender marker on their birth certificates.)
And... They are out of witnesses in support of #DontSayGay! Now a mom of a gay child: "no one is teaching kids to be gay; they are who they are!... These children need love and support!"
*Slarskey 🤦♀️
A gay young person testifying about how when he came out to his mom, she wasn't ready to support him, but his teacher was... And his teacher saved his life.
I was about to go testify... And the Chair has adjourned with dozens of people still waiting to testify against this hateful bill #DontSayGay #ProtectTransKids
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
