2021 US laws impact schools, affecting diversity programs, gender discussions, and bathroom access for transgender students.

As students return to schools across the US, they may encounter the effects of recent laws addressing LGBTQ issues, race, and religion. These laws, enacted by local governors, impact the operation of public colleges and universities and K-12 schools. Key changes include bans on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; prohibitions of certain "divisive concepts" in the classroom; restrictions on discussing gender or sexual orientation; and laws requiring parental consent before teachers can use a trans student's preferred name or pronoun. Additionally, some states have implemented laws banning the inclusion of explicit content or references to sexual orientation in school books and materials, while others have signed bills that bar transgender students from using bathrooms that do not match their sex assigned at birth and prevent transgender girls from competing in girls sports teams. These changes in back-to-school plans reflect the ongoing influence of culture wars across the United States.

August 15, 2024
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