heidi | Dec. 3rd, 2004

So I know a lot of you have heard about the completely insane legislation proposed in the Alabama legislature which would bar the use of public funds for "the purchase of textbooks or library materials that recognize or promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle."

I haven't seen the whole bill, but from the articles, here's a few more things that it would ban:

State funds could not be used to pay for materials that suggest homosexuality is acceptable, including nonfiction books and fiction novels with gay characters.
It would ban materials that recognize or promote a lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of Alabama; books with heterosexual couples committing those acts likely would be banned, too.
It would prohibit a teacher from handing out materials or bringing in a classroom speaker who suggested homosexuality was OK

Regarding the last on the list, it is questionable whether the bar would apply to all classroom speakers on any subject, or if it would just bar a classroom speaker from implying or stating that in a classroom or academic speech. And as I understand it, this wouldn't just apply in public schools, but in all schools and libraries on all levels who get public funding, including all the state's universities. But if it was broadly applied, then you won't see any Elton John concerts at schools in Alabana - no Uni students could write papers on, say, Oscar Wilde, or even Buffy as a cultural touchpoint.

I'm wondering if it would even be used as an excuse to ban all the Harry Potter books, simply because of what Dudley, a "bad" character, says in OotP:
"Who's Cedric? Your boyfriend?"

Also, does Alabama still have anti-miscegenation statutes on the books, even if they're barred by federal law from being enforced? Because if that's the case, then gosh, that's enough to bar the HP books - forget Harry & Cho's snogging - we have Fred & Angelina. Yes, I am exagerating to make a point, but only in this paragraph.

And, of course, my legalese-arguments always manage to turn something like this to fanfic & fandom. If public funds weren't allowed to be used to enable students to acquire materials that recognize actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of Alabama (again, see anti-miscegenation statutes) then acceptance of any public funds that cover student internet access could require universities to block sites like FictionAlley, LJ, FFN, Salon Magazine, Newsweek, etc.

Uh oh. As soon as I get links to lists of contact numbers so people can make their voices heard about this bill, I'll pass it on.

ETA: You can find them in