South Dakota House Rejects Bill on Gender Discussions in Schools

The South Dakota House voted down House Bill 1201, which would have mandated that school staff notify parents if students discussed gender confusion or gender dysphoria. The bill also aimed to prohibit instruction on gender identity and expression and restrict communication about students' perceptions of their gender. Proponents, including Rep. Logan Manhart, framed it as a 'parents’ rights' issue, while opponents raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on students lacking supportive home environments. The committee's decision was met with criticism from various advocacy groups and educational professionals who warned it could harm students. Similar legislation has been proposed in Iowa, aiming to expand restrictions on teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 schools. Critics in Iowa argue that such measures would hinder accurate historical education and ignore the complexities of gender identity.