Language calling homosexuality illegal and unacceptable will be struck from the state's laws on sex education under a measure signed by Gov. Kay Ivey this week.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, removes a paragraph dating from 1992 that requires courses on human reproduction and sexual education to emphasize that "homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state."
The bill passed the Alabama House 69 to 30 on March 2. It passed the Senate 18 to 6 on April 20. It will go into effect July 1.
In the Montgomery delegation, Reps. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road; Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville; Thad McClammy, D-Montgomery; Charlotte Meadows, R-Montgomery; Tashina Morris, D-Montgomery and Chris Sells, R-Greenville voted for the bill. In the Senate, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road voted against the bill. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, voted for it.