Rep Raymond Crews (R) District 8, Bossier City
Legislation to require public school employees to use the name and pronoun on a student’s birth certificate passes in the House after emotional debate on the floor. Bill author Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews said it’s a parent’s rights bill. The legislation, however, allows teachers to choose how they will refer to the student.
“But if they (school employees) are not wanting to participate in the deception quite frankly they don’t have to participate,” said Crews.
Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson asked Crews what happens if a parent wants the employee to call their child by a name or pronoun that differs from their birth certificate.
“If the parents indicate that their child should be named as such, you’re saying that right will be eclipsed by that of a teacher who has a moral problem with it,” Jefferson asked.
“If that teacher does have a problem with it, that is correct,” said Crews.
Crews was questioned if any teacher organizations support House Bill 81. He said he’s received positive feedback from teachers individually, but the bill does not have the official backing of any specific educator association.
Gretna Republican Representative Joe Marino said the legislation is anti-transgender and will only worsen the suicide rate among trans children. Marino said it’s a culture war bill and it’s designed to divide.
“This is not a parent’s rights bill unless the parents believe the same thing that Representative Crews does. It’s not all parent’s rights it’s just some parent’s rights,” said Marino.
The legislation passed on a 61 to 33 vote and advances to the Senate.
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