PITTSBURGH — The state Senate Education Committee on Tuesday passed two bills intended to address discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in Pennsylvania schools.
The proposals, which Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has promised to veto if they land on his desk, have similarities to legislation enacted in Florida earlier this year that opponents criticized for marginalizing the LGBTQ community and labeled as the "Don't say gay" bill.
Republican state Sens. Scott Martin and Ryan Aument, both of Lancaster, said they proposed the bills because of concerns they have received from parents about age-inappropriate conversations occurring prematurely and without parental knowledge in elementary school classrooms.
