Alabama Passes Legislation to Ban State Funding of DEI

Facts

• Alabama Republicans passed legislation on Tuesday to ban state funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public universities, government agencies, and local boards of education.¹
• The bill will also prevent state-funded institutions from teaching some 'divisive concepts' involving race, gender, and identity. The legislation will also require public universities to only allow people to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex.²
• If passed, SB129 would bar public school boards and universities from maintaining DEI offices or departments, and ban organizations from requiring students, employees, or contractors to attend DEI training. However, it wouldn't prevent students or staff from hosting privately funded DEI programs.³
• Those who 'knowingly violate' SB129 could be disciplined or fired. The nine-page bill lists eight major bans, including forcing someone to share a 'personal point of view on any divisive concept outside of an academic setting.'⁴
• The legislation, planned to take effect on Oct. 1, will now be sent to the desk of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey for her signature.²
• This comes as more than 30 states have introduced legislation targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at public colleges and universities.⁵

Sources: ¹The Hill, ²New York Times, ³CNN, ⁴NPR Online News and ⁵FOX News.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. DEI programs are just one way in which students at public schools are indoctrinated into far-left ideologies. These programs sow divisions between students and faculty, and teach people to hate themselves because of their race and gender identities. These programs have no place in state-funded programs, and that is why this bill was passed.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by Alabama Reflector. This bill infringes on the constitutional rights of students and staff. Diversity and inclusion programs do not sow division but rather create unity. By attacking these programs, Alabama is eliminating vital support for historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, such as Black and LGBTQ students and staff. Democracy thrives on diversity — any efforts to quell discussions over identity, like those outlined in this bill, essentially amount to a gag order.